On Saturday, March 4th, live on Showtime at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, former unified 154-pound champion “Swift” Jarrett Hurd (pictured) returns to take on Armando Reséndiz in a ten-round middleweight co-feature. Hurd has not fought since 2021 and has not won a bout since before the coronavirus pandemic. Hurd's comeback will be broadcast at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, and is headlined by a featherweight battle between Brandon “The Heartbreaker” Figueroa and Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo of the Philippines for the vacant interim WBC featherweight title. That night, Showtime will also feature a clash of unbeaten young middleweights as Amilcar Vidal and Elijah Garcia meet in a ten-round attraction.
The 32 year-old Hurd (24-2, 16 KOs) unified the WBA and IBF 154-pound titles in 2018, dropping longtime champion Erislandy Lara in the final round to win a close decision in a fight that was one of 2018's fights of the year. The Accokeek, Maryland native would go on to lose the titles in one of 2019’s best fights, dropping a decision to Julian Williams. Hurd first became champion in February 2017 when he stopped a former champion, Tony Harrison, in the ninth round, before defending the title against another former champion, Austin Trout.
Hurd will return to the ring having most recently dropped a narrow split-decision against tricky veteran Luis Arias in June 2021. “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 4th. I know Reséndiz is going to make the most of this opportunity, but I’m ready to make a big statement of my own.”
Reséndiz (13-1, 9 KOs) made a successful U.S. debut in April 2021, entering the fight with an eight-bout knockout streak before earning a decision victory over Quilisto Madera. A 23 year-old native of Nayarit, Mexico, he now fights out of Los Angeles. After dropping a decision to veteran Marcos Hernandez in September 2021, he returned this October to dominate Heber Rondon on his way to a second-round stoppage. “I’ve been preparing very hard to take full advantage of the opportunity that I have in this fight,” said Reséndiz. “I have a great team in my corner and I know that they are getting the best out of my abilities. We’re all working toward the same goal and it’s going to result in a great fight for the fans. I’m fighting for my Mexican people and I’m not going to let them down.”
