At one point, you couldn’t talk about the best fighters in the world without mentioning Jarrett Hurd. The Maryland native often used his size, strength, and power to get rid of his opponents. His dominant form of attack led to a unified title run at 154 pounds and recognition as a fringe pound-for-pounder. But just when everything was clicking, it suddenly wasn’t.
Things began going left in 2019. With Hurd having his titles stripped away from him at the hands of Julian Williams, a downward spiral was inevitable. For the next five years, Hurd was unable to build any momentum. A 10th-round stoppage defeat at the hands of journeyman Jose Armando Resendiz was seemingly the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Hurd went back to the drawing board. Whatever took place behind those doors ostensibly has him back on track. Following a recent fourth-round knockout victory over Tyi Edmonds, Hurd’s confidence is now through the roof. Although he could opt to take things slow and steady, Hurd isn’t interested in doing so. With multiple world titles still sitting on his mantle at home as a reminder, the now 33-year-old believes he has the credentials needed to make another run.
“Straight to the top,” Hurd told YSM Sports Media. “I’m 33, I know what it takes.”
The middleweight division is where Hurd is planting his flag. Currently, it’s somewhat fragmented. With Janibek Alimkhanuly holding both the WBO and IBF titles, and Erislandy Lara in possession of the WBA trinket, while Carlos Adames is in firm control of the WBC interim strap, Hurd has plenty of options.
For whatever reason, Hurd is drawn to the WBA title. But before he begins calling Lara out, he knows good and well that Lara is on a collision course with Danny Garcia. There isn’t a concrete date in place just yet but when one comes about, Hurd will be sure to tune in.
“If Danny Garcia is successful, I’m ready.”