Coming up short against Joe Smith Jr. was nothing to be ashamed of, but the manner in which Jesse Hart lost, meant he had some serious rebuilding to do. The Philly native accepted the arduous path he was set to go on and began handling business.
Following three consecutive wins, Hart (30-3, 24 KOs) felt good about himself but he wanted one more solid victory to prove to the rest of the world that he officially turned a corner. Last weekend, at the Wind Creek Events Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the 34-year-old made an example out of longtime journeyman, Jeyson Minda.
With a violent third-round stoppage win under his belt, Hart believes he’s earned the right to move away from the super middleweight division’s bottom feeders. Not only does he now want to share the ring with more established contenders, former champions, and notable fighters but he actually has one particular name in mind that he wants above all else.
“I want the big names now,” Hart told YSM Sports Media. “Give me Caleb Plant next.”
Plant, 31, has been a wanted man for years now. Although his IBF crown was taken from him at the hands of Canelo Alvarez in 2021, he remains one of the biggest stars in the division. Most recently, his popularity soared following his close unanimous decision loss against David Benavidez in the first quarter of 2023.
For whatever reason, many of Plant’s recent opposition have loathed him. Hart, on the other hand, doesn’t have a single bad word to say about the one-time champion. For the aging veteran, it’s all about putting himself in a more ideal situation. So whether it’s Plant, Benavidez, Alvarez, or anyone else – Hart wants to square off with them all.
“F— ’em all. It’s time to stop playing.”