Jesse Hart: record, next fight and profile →
Jesse Hart is moving on to the next stage of his career. The veteran contender and former two-time title challenger is among several fighters who have either parted ways with or have been released from Top Rank in recent weeks. Hart confirmed the news on Monday, taking to social media to reveal his becoming a free agent after having been affiliated with the industry powerhouse throughout his nine-year pro career.
If red-hot super middleweight up-and-comer Edgar Berlanga wins his fight on Saturday -- he’s the heavy favorite -- and comes away with no injuries, former two-time world title challenger Jesse Hart could be his next opponent on June 12, according to Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.
Michael Seals has an answer for fellow light heavyweight contender Jesse Hart’s recent call out for a fight between them: Bring it on. “Out of nowhere he’s just saying my name,” Seals told BoxingScene.com. “I guess he thinks I’m just easy pickings or something because of my last fight, but he’ll find out. He can sign the contract now. I don’t even care about anything. We can do it whenever.”
Five months after light heavyweight contender Jesse Hart suffered a torn tendon and ligament damage in his right hand he was finally able to have surgery to repair the injury on Friday. On Jan. 11, Hart lost a 10-round split decision to former world title challenger Joe Smith Jr. in the main event of a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN card at Etess Arena at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
When JOE "THE BEAST" SMITH JR. (now 25-3 20KO's) and JESSE "HOLLYWOOD" HART (now 26-3 21KO's) stepped into the ring at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City on Saturday night, more than a victory and the NABO Light heavyweight title was on the line. With the WBO World Light Heavyweight title having been vacated in December, a potential 2020 world title opportunity also looms.
Viewership for ESPN’s boxing doubleheader went up Saturday night once the Titans’ upset of the Ravens ended, but still was lower than usual. According to Nielsen Media Research, ESPN’s main event between Joe Smith Jr. and Jesse Hart drew a peak audience of 673,000 toward the end of it. The average viewership for Smith-Hart was 515,000.
Joe Smith Video Interview - Atlantic City, New Jersey - In a crossroads battle at light heavyweight, Joe Smith (25-3, 20 KOs) showed his power was too much for Jesse Hart (26-3, 21 KOs), who failed to get revenge for his mentor Bernard Hopkins. (photos by Mikey Williams)
ATLANTIC CITY – Bob Arum has a close relationship with Jesse Hart, who has been promoted by Arum’s company throughout his pro career. Even Arum couldn’t believe one of the judges scored Hart the winner of his 10-round fight against Joe Smith Jr. on Saturday night. Arum tore into judge James Kinney after Kinney strangely scored Hart a 95-94 victor over Smith in a main event ESPN televised from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Etess Arena.
Philadelphia's Jesse Hart wanted revenge. Joe Smith Jr. didn't let that happen. Smith, who knocked out Hart's mentor and fellow Philly pugilist Bernard Hopkins in 2016, was dominant but had to settle for a split decision in the Top Rank on ESPN main event in front of 3,415 fans at Etess Arena at Hard Rock Live.
Joe Smith, Jesse Hart Fight Photos Gallery - Atlantic City, New Jersey - In a crossroads battle at light heavyweight, Joe Smith (25-3, 20 KOs) showed his power was too much for Jesse Hart (26-3, 21 KOs), who failed to get revenge for his mentor Bernard Hopkins. (photos by Mikey Williams)