Jarrett Hurd is closing out his career on his terms and it will all start on March 4th at the Toyota Arena, in Ontario, California, when he faces, Armando Reséndiz, who is often referred to on broadcasts as Jose Resendiz, in a ten-round middleweight bout.

Jarrett Hurd was once thought of as a Cinderella story of boxing. A relatively unknown prospect, who upset Frank Galarza, then would continue to win. Hurd would beat Tony Harrison, and beat Erislandy Lara, and essentially beat the odds. A pressure fighter, who had the seemingly generational-type talents numbers with constant pressure and a will that was unmatched.

Hurd was winning on toughness as much as his skill – with his fights often being won in the gym with the contractual weight he was able to make. Hurd seemed destined for a collision course with Jermell Charlo, as the two held major titles at the 154 lbs division yet, Julian Williams had something to say.

The media event for the Hurd vs. Williams was entitled “Dinner on the Champion,” an ode to Hurd being positioned to look as though he was treating the media to dinner, which he may or may not have. Williams was an afterthought to the promotion. In an event around Hurd’s hometown, Williams would upset Hurd, and take away his unified world titles in the process.

The fight seemed to have some small residue on Williams as he would play musical chairs with the titles losing the belt in his next fight, a hometown defense against lesser-known at the time Jeison Rosario.

That was May of 2019, hard to believe it was nearly four years ago, but it was, and just as soon as we praise a fighter, often the media, and the boxing public forgets about them just as quickly.

“Y’all must’ve forgot, but I’m back to remind you what ‘Swift’ Jarrett Hurd is all about,” said Hurd. “I’m in a new weight class and I’m looking to dominate like I did at 154 pounds. I can’t wait to show everyone what I’ve been working on in the gym and display my talents on March 4. I know Reséndiz is going to make the most of this opportunity, but I’m ready to make a big statement of my own.”

Since losing his world title, Hurd has fought twice, once against Francisco Santana in a fight he won, and then an awkward fight he lost against Luis Arias. The Arias fight had some undertones many didn’t speak though.

In March of 2021, Fred Hurd Sr., Jarrett Hurd’s father would pass away, and the absence of Hurd’s father seemed to be the elephant in the room for all of the fight week as it felt like the death of a loved one carried over into his performance come fight night. As fast as Hurd’s star-shined bright, it began to fade in the sport of boxing that is way too eager to replace you than befriend you.

Hurd has now come back to the sport with realistic expectations, and an addition to his team, ITRBoxing’s 2021 Amateur Boxing Coach of the Year, Darrell Davis. Davis has a slew of top amateurs, but none better than Jahmal Harvey, one of the best Olympic hopefuls we have right up there with Rahim Gonzales.

“You don’t understand how hard [Hurd] hits,” confided Davis to me when speaking of Hurd.

As for what Hurd might want after this fight, he has made his intentions very clear when asked about the rather inactive Jermall Charlo he simply said the following.

“For sure,” Hurd said without hesitation when asked about a future Jermall Charlo on the PBC Podcast. “If I can’t get the little one, let me get the big one. Let me get the big one.”