By Lem Satterfield

Jarrett Hurd’s nickname, “Swift,” is appropriate given his rapid ascension and crowd-pleasing style as a unified IBO/IBF/WBA junior middleweight champion who first entered a boxing gym as a 15-year-old at the urging of his father, Fred Sr.

The 28-year-old Hurd (22-0, 15 KOs) will pursue his third defense and eighth knockout in nine fights against England’s Jason Welborn (24-6, 7 KOs) on the December 1 undercard of Deontay Wilder’s heavyweight title defense against lineal champion Tyson Fury at The Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Title challenger Julian Williams’ (25-1-1, 15 KOs) didn't mince words concerning Hurd’s belief that he can score knockouts against him and WBC counterpart Jermell Charlo

“If you don’t like what Jarrett has done in his past three fights, then you’re a hater,” said Williams, a 28-year-old Philadelphia native, resident and potential opponent for Hurd or Charlo.

“I think what Jarrett Hurd’s doing is great. I mean, he’s on a really good run right now. Time will tell what happens when he gets into the ring with me or Jermell, but nevertheless, I’m impressed.”

Hurd was gracious upon hearing of Williams’ comments during a recent workout at The Hillcrest Heights Boxing Club in Temple Hills, Maryland.

“Hearing something like that shows what kind of character J-Rock [Williams] has, and I give him all the respect in the world,” said Hurd, a 6-foot-1, Accokeek, Maryland native, with a 76.5-inch reach and an amalgam of speed, athleticism, power and range.

“I’m a little surprised by that response, but that shows that he’s respectful and not the type of guy to be a hater. I also really appreciate it because I’ve worked so hard to get where I am."

Hurd unified the titles with a split-decision win over southpaw Erislandy Lara (25-3-2, 14 KOs) on April 7 in Las Vegas, scoring a final-round knockdown after having secured knockouts in his previous seven straight opponents.

“I feel good coming off of this last last fight with Erislandy Lara, who, because of his slick style, was avoided so much. Triple-G [Gennady Golovkin] didn’t wanna fight him,” said Hurd of Lara, who had been the division's longest-reigning champion.

“Plus he had a close, tough loss [split-decision] to Canelo Alvarez. I feel that after beating Erislandy Lara, I’m finally getting that respect that I’ve been looking for from these top contenders and the fans in general.”

Hurd won his crown with a ninth-round TKO over Harrison in February 2017 and defended it in October 2017 with a 10th-round TKO over left-handed former titleholder Austin Trout, who was stopped for the first time in his career.

Williams was undefeated before falling to Jermell's twin brother and current 160-pound titleholder Jermall Charlo (27-0, 21 KOs), who owns a three-knockdown, fifth-round stoppage of “J-Rock” as a then-154-pound king in December 2016.

The loss to Charlo ended Williams’  run of three-straight knockouts, 53-consecutive rounds won and 16-consecutive victories (10 by stoppage) since a six-round draw against Francisco Santana in May 2011.

Since then, however, Williams has reeled off consecutive victories by seventh-round TKO over Joshua Conley in June 2017, a unanimous decision over former champion Ishe Smith in November 2017, and a majority decision over Nathaniel “No Problem” Gallimore in April.

“There is a reason J-Rock got a world title shot. I can never underestimate someone with his skills," said Hurd. “We'll have to wait and see as far as me and J-Rock getting into the ring together, but of course, I still think I’m gonna knock him out.”

Hurd’s masterful counterpunching, sharp jab and body attack were the difference in a sixth-round TKO of previously unbeaten Frank Galarza in November 2015. Hurd primarily used his inside game against another undefeated fighter in June 2015, his crisp combinations and sniper-like accuracy closing Oscar Molina’s left eye nearly shut during a 10th-round TKO. Hurd similarly dismantled left-handed former title challenger Jo Jo Dan in the sixth round in November 2016.

But Hurd was a slugger and aggressor against Harrison and Trout, being out-boxed by the former in the first half of the fight before wilting and flattening him with a smashing, final round straight right to the jaw that left the Detroit native lying flat on his back.

Hurd’s relentless pressure overcame the early stick-and-move strategy employed by the savvy Trout, whose eyes were nearly swollen shut before his corner stopped the fight prior to the 11th round.

The knockout streak began in April and August 2015 with third- and seventh-round TKOs of Eric Mitchell and Jeff Lentz, the latter representing the first of three consecutive undefeated fighters Hurd stopped, with Galarza and Molina being the other two.

Hurd’s professional debut was a 90-second TKO of Mike Arnold in September 2012, nine months prior to Lara’s rising from two knockdowns for a 10th-round stoppage of Alfredo Angulo and the WBA’s interim world title.

“I first turned professional right around the time Erislandy Lara was about to become a world champion, so, of course, I watched tapes of him and studied him, hoping, to one day be where he was,” said Hurd.

“Now that I’m the top guy, I’m the one being watched and studied by the competition. I’m not a guy who has to just walk you down, but I can vary my methods and skills in order to win. As an opponent, you’ve got to respect that."