Paging Jarrett Hurd!
It has been over one year since former IBF and WBA Junior Middleweight champion Jarrett “Swift” Hurd (24-1, 16KOs) has been in the squared circle. His last fight came against Francisco Santana (25-9-1, 12KOs) where he would win a unanimous decision. In his previous fight, he would suffer a punishing loss to Julian “J-Rock” Williams (27-2-1, 16KOs) to lose his titles. In that fight he was dropped, beat up and out-boxed for the majority of the fight.
The Maryland native had an impressive but brief run as a world champion. He would first reach world title status with a stoppage victory over former WBC Junior Middleweight champion Tony Harrison in 2017 to win the vacant IBF title. Following that victory, he would take on former WBA Junior Middleweight champion Austin “No Doubt” Trout also in 2017, stopping him in ten rounds. That victory would lead to a unification showdown with then WBA champion Erislandy Lara in 2018. In a tightly contested battle, Hurd would gain the upper hand in the twelfth and final round by dropping Lara with a short left hook! He would win the fight by an extremely close split decision with scores of 114-113 twice.
Standing 5’11, Hurd is seen as a force to be reckoned with. His combined size, strength and non-stop pressure-fighting style made him an immediate fan favorite. While most would admit he was limited, especially when it came to his defense, offensively he was everything a fan who loves nothing but toe-to-toe action loved. With him seemingly refreshed after a year out of the ring, it is time to explore possible comeback opponents!
HURD’S 2021 OPTIONS?!
A fight with unified junior middleweight champion Jermell Charlo (34-1, 18KOs) still has major appeal. At one point, these two guys were on a collision course. However, the loss to Williams derailed those plans. Charlo would go on to defeat Jesion Rosario via eighth-round knockout. Although, the three-belt title-holder is currently targeting newly crowned WBO Junior Middleweight champion Brian Castano (17-0-1, 12KOs). The winner of that possible fight would be the undisputed champion at junior middleweight (154).
If he wants revenge, then he should no doubt target the man who not only took his titles, but also gave him his first career defeat in Julian Williams. While he lost a clear decision, their fight was filled with a lot of action. Originally, he was set to face Williams in an immediate rematch in December of 2019. However, he would withdraw due to issues within his camp.
Former unified champion Jesion “Banana” Rosario (20-2-1, 14KOs) would be an exciting matchup considering their power and fighting styles. However, would Rosario be interested in that fight coming off a knockout loss? That is not known, but that fight has fireworks written all over it.
Obviously, those fights are not likely. At least not in Hurd’s first fight back whenever he does return. Still, sometime in 2021 would be perfect opportunities to see where Hurd is, mentally and physically!
By: Jerrell Fletcher
