Jarrett Hurd explains on decision to remove long-time trainer!
It has been a tumultuous few months for former unified junior middleweight champion Jarrett “Swift” Hurd (23-1, 16KOs).
Back in May in what was supposed to be a homecoming showcase his second defense as a unified champion (fourth of the IBF title) against a very talented Julian “J Rock” Williams (27-1-1, 16KOs).
The latter had still been viewed as very vulnerable with a questionable chin due to his brutal 2016 knockout loss to Jermall Charlo. However, he was anything but that!
From the moment the action commenced it was evident Williams came to fight and that it wouldn’t be an easy night for the champion. More evidence came in the waning seconds of round one as Hurd would be dropped by his determined challenger.
Ultimately it would be one and done for Hurd as a unified champion as he lost by rightful unanimous decision.
POST FIGHT WILLIAMS DEBACLE
Afterwards, Hurd’s trainer Ernesto Rodriguez went on an interview spree as he publicly revealed his feelings on Hurd’s weight gain in between, substances the former champion used and more!
At the Danny Garcia-Ivan Redkach presser Hurd who’ll fight on the undercard against Francisco Santana (25-7-1, 12KOs) revealed his feelings towards his now former trainer, his intentions to remain at junior middleweight to regain his titles and his new trainer.
“Last time I was up here I was an undefeated fighter going into my fifth world title fight. Defending it in my hometown and I suffered my first loss in my career.
“It was tough for me man. Not saying I was seeing past my opponent, but the future we had we were planning on undisputed champion in my weight class we had big plans for me.”
On Ernesto Rodriguez
“I went on social media to check out interviews and it was my coach. He was bad-mouthing me man. He got to talking about certain things, about the lifestyle I’m living and the substances I put into my body, the weight loss and gains in between fights.
“He just basically went on media and talked about all these things I was not aware of and I’m the type of guy that if you’re family and you feel that type of way you bring that to me.
“So I came home and I had the conversation with him and we’ve been together for 12 years, so it’s not easy for me to walk in there and make the decision to no longer work this coach.
“It was more of we sat down and had a conversation and I gave him an option, I said man you can continue to work with us. We’re a family. We should be able to work through this.
“He made the decision he no longer wanted to work with me. He wasn’t happy with the team I had. He wasn’t happy with the staff that was working with me. He didn’t want to continue working with me.”
Obviously there were issues brewing between the two prior to the fight with Williams, but as the old saying goes “winning cures everything”.
It’ll be interesting to see if Rodriguez offers a rebuttal to his former fighter’s claims.
3kingsboxing.com will continue to monitor this story and provide updates as they become available.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
