Jarrett Hurd Bio
Jarrett Hurd (born August 31, 1990) is a former American professional boxer who was the unified light middleweight world champion. He held the WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO titles from 2017 to 2019 and was ranked among the top active light middleweights globally during his career. Hurd began his professional boxing career in 2012 and retired in 2025 after a notable career marked by powerful performances and significant victories.
Early Life and Background
Jarrett Hurd was born in Accokeek, Maryland, United States. He was raised in the suburbs of Accokeek and attended Gwynn Park High School. Although not a standout amateur boxer, Hurd compiled a respectable amateur record of 32 wins and 8 losses in 40 fights. His early exposure to boxing in Maryland laid the foundation for his professional career.
Path to Boxing
Despite lacking major amateur accolades, Hurd was identified as a promising prospect by Ross Molovinsky, head of Keystone Boxing in the Washington metropolitan area. He made his professional debut in September 2012 and quickly built momentum by winning his first 16 fights. His early professional success included a notable televised victory over fellow unbeaten prospect Frank Galarza, showcasing his jab and movement skills.
Jarrett Hurd Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
Hurd’s professional career began with a strong winning streak, culminating in his ShoBox television debut where he earned a technical knockout against Frank Galarza. He continued to build his reputation with victories over opponents such as Óscar Molina, whom he defeated by TKO in 2016, and Jo Jo Dan, whom he overwhelmed with crisp combinations for a sixth-round TKO. These wins helped establish Hurd as a rising contender in the light middleweight division.
IBF Light Middleweight Champion Breakthrough (2017–2019)
On February 25, 2017, Jarrett Hurd won the vacant IBF light middleweight title by defeating Tony Harrison. Despite a slow start, Hurd’s power proved decisive as he knocked Harrison down with a right hook, leading to a stoppage. Hurd successfully defended his title against Austin Trout later that year, winning by technical knockout after ten rounds in a fight that showcased his ability to apply pressure and absorb punishment.
In April 2018, Hurd unified the light middleweight division by defeating Erislandy Lara via split decision, adding the WBA (Super) and IBO titles to his IBF belt. The closely contested bout featured a pivotal knockdown in the final round that secured Hurd’s victory. This win made him the seventh unified world title holder in light middleweight history, joining boxing legends such as Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Following shoulder surgery in mid-2018, Hurd returned to the ring in November with a fourth-round knockout of Jason Welborn, retaining his unified titles. However, in May 2019, Hurd suffered his first professional defeat to Julian Williams in a Fight of the Year candidate, losing his titles by unanimous decision after being knocked down in the second round.
Later Career and Retirement (2020–2025)
After losing his titles, Hurd continued to compete, winning a unanimous decision against Francisco Santana in January 2020. In June 2021, he faced Luis Arias but lost by split decision despite scoring a knockdown. His final professional fight took place in March 2025 against Johan Gonzalez, where he lost via split decision. Following this bout, Jarrett Hurd announced his retirement from professional boxing.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jarrett Hurd fought with an orthodox stance and was known for his powerful jab, physical strength, and ability to pressure opponents. His reach of 78 inches allowed him to control distance effectively. Hurd combined size and power with resilience, often wearing down opponents in the later rounds. His tactical approach evolved over time, adapting to fight both on the inside and outside as needed.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hurd’s career highlights include becoming the unified light middleweight champion by holding the WBA (Super), IBF, and IBO titles simultaneously between 2017 and 2019. His unification victory over Erislandy Lara is regarded as a career-defining moment. Additionally, his first professional loss to Julian Williams in a highly competitive fight marked a significant milestone in his career trajectory.
Jarrett Hurd Career Wins
Jarrett Hurd amassed a professional record of 30 fights, with 25 wins, including 17 by knockout, 4 losses, and 1 draw. His victories spanned multiple high-profile bouts in the light middleweight division, showcasing his power and skill at the world championship level.
Light Middleweight Highlights
Hurd’s first major title win came in 2017 when he captured the vacant IBF light middleweight championship by defeating Tony Harrison. He successfully unified the division by adding the WBA (Super) and IBO titles in 2018 with a split decision win over Erislandy Lara. His most recent significant win was a fourth-round knockout of Jason Welborn in 2018, defending his unified titles. Hurd’s career featured several playoff-caliber performances and memorable title defenses.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond world title bouts, Hurd secured notable wins against contenders such as Austin Trout and Jo Jo Dan. His ability to finish fights by knockout contributed to his reputation as a powerful and dangerous light middleweight throughout his career.
Jarrett Hurd Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Jarrett Hurd’s family background and lineage are not publicly documented.
Personal Life
Public information about Jarrett Hurd’s personal life, including marital status and children, is not available.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Jarrett Hurd fought Johan Gonzalez at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, marking his final professional bout. He lost via split decision and subsequently announced his retirement from boxing. This fight concluded a career that spanned over a decade, during which Hurd was recognized for his championship reign and competitive spirit in the light middleweight division.