Jarrett Hurd may have one more good fight in him.
Hurd will face Jeison Rosario on Wednesday night at the Whitesands (aka ProBox TV) Events Center in Plant City, Florida. The 10-round middleweight bout will headline a four-bout card that will stream live on the ProBox TV app and YouTube page (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
The clash between Hurd and Rosario is a compelling crossover between former world title holders at 154 pounds. Chris Glover of ProBox TV believes the fight will produce fireworks as both are in the latter stages of their careers, with the winner moving on to more lucrative opportunities.
“It’s the kind of fight where the loser probably retires,” Glover told The Ring early Tuesday morning. “It’s who’s left. It’s a good fight. Thanks again to (promoter) Sampson (Lewkowicz) for always being helpful and representing Jeison Rosario.
“It’s going to be a shootout. It’s going to be two guys going for it. They are going to try to prove that they can challenge again. The middleweight division is wide open. There are many opportunities to challenge (for a world title). The loser must not appear to be in a position to continue fighting. It is what it is.”
Hurd (25-3, 17 KOs), who resides in Accokeek, Maryland, is best known for his thrilling split decision win over Erislandy Lara in April 2018. Hurd successfully defended his IBF title and the WBA title from Lara won
After a world title defense, Hurd would lose by unanimous decision to Julian Williams in May 2019. After defeating Francisco Santana over six months later, Hurd would not fight for over a year, losing by split decision to Luis Arias.
The 33-year-old Hurd would return to the ring on March 4 last year, losing to Jose Resendiz in an action-packed 10-round knockout. The fight was stopped on the advice of the ringside doctor because Hurd was suffering from a severe laceration to his lip. Entering the final round, Hurd was down on the scorecards, 87-84, 87-84 and 89-82.
In his last fight on December 8, Hurd stopped Tyi Edmonds after round 4. Glover believes an impressive win by Hurd, despite recent setbacks, could elevate him to a fight among the best at 160 pounds.
“If Jarrett could come back and look good against Rosario, that obviously sets him up for a big fight at 160 pounds,” Glover said. “I am very excited about that possibility. And it’s exciting to have someone like Jarrett Hurd on ProBox TV. He’s full of action (and) he’s never in a bad fight. These two unified world champions go to war and show they have something left. It’s a big fight.”
Rosario (24-4-1, 18 KOs), who is originally from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and now lives in Miami, Florida, also picked up a win in his last fight, stopping Israel Valerio Nina in round two on 10 November stopped. In his previous fight in November 2022, Rosario was stopped in round five by Brian Mendoza.
After winning the unified world title belt from Williams in January 2020, Rosario would lose back-to-back fights, both by knockout, to Jermell Charlo and Erickson Lubin.
In the co-main event, undefeated bantamweight prospect Michael Angeletti (11-0, 7 KOs) of Spring, Texas will square off against the Dominican Republic’s Gerardo Valdez (16-1, 11 KOs) in a 10-round bout.
“There are two young hungry fighters in a real 50-50 fight,” Glover said. “It’s a big fight.”
In junior lightweight action, Dominic Valle (9-0, 7 KOs) of Lutz, Florida will face Colombia’s Kevin Piedrahita (9-2, 8 KOs) in an eight-round bout.
“It’s an excellent fight,” said Glover. “An eight-round war. I’m very excited for that fight.”
In the opening bout of the card, heavyweight Ivan Dychko (13-0, 12 KOs), who is originally from Kazakhstan and now lives in nearby Kissimmee, will take on Craig Lewis (15-7-1, 8 KOs) of Detroit, Michigan in an eight-round fight.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached at (email protected)
