Julian Williams shows compassion for Jarrett Hurd
There is no doubt that boxing is an extremely cutthroat business. The fighters find themselves frequently leaving their family and friends to undergo grueling training in solitude. All the while they know that neither victory, nor their lives, is promised when they step in the ring. On top of that, the shadiness routinely perpetrated by managers, promotional companies and sanctioning bodies is near legendary. So, as a professional boxer, it would not be wise to think that much sympathy is coming your way. Nevertheless, Jarrett “Swift” Hurd (24-2, 16 KO’s) got a sliver of compassion following his latest defeat.
After the better part of two years being inactive, Hurd was making his return to the ring against Luis Arias. Most thought that he would overcome Arias without much difficulty. However, that turned out to be far from the truth. After ten intense rounds of fighting, Swift came up on the wrong side of a split decision loss. Instantly the buzz throughout the industry suggested that perhaps he was a shot fighter.
A VOICE OF REASON?
Not everyone hopped on the bandwagon of condemnation, though. Ironically, it was Julian Williams, the man who served Hurd his first professional defeat, who came to his defense. Rather than seeing a stale, lackluster performance, Williams saw a man dealing with a mountain of personal issues that simply took their toll on Hurd.
In the end, maybe Williams is correct to show Swift a bit of leniency and compassion in this solemn moment. Perhaps Swift will refocus and emerge a much better and more ferocious fighter. On the other hand, there is a good chance that the more vitriolic chatter of the industry is truer to reality. Ultimately only time will tell how Hurd rebounds from this new professional low. For his sake, let’s hope that he lands on his feet and finds fresh success in the future. If he cannot recover in style, Hurd will simply become another fighter chewed up and spit out by an unforgiving craft and merciless profession. Let’s see how it all plays out!
By: Bakari Simpson
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