Hart & Conto Provide Philly Flavor in Sin City

By Luis A. Cortes III

Saturday night in Las Vegas is no doubt another chance for the glamour division of the sport to bask in the spotlight of the sporting world as Tyson Fury (27-0-1) (19 KO’s) defends his lineal championship against German Tom Schwarz (24-0) (16 KO’s).  After the shocking results at Madison Square Garden that saw Andy Ruiz win portions of the heavyweight crown by knocking out the unbeaten Anthony Joshua, Saturday is a great chance for Fury to solidify his claim as the “baddest” man on the planet (a moniker which comes with being the best heavyweight in the world). 

While Fury fights for the first time since his draw against the other champion thought of as one of the best, Deontay Wilder, and begins his partnership with promotional juggernaut Top Rank, the undercard features a co-main event that easily is worthy of its own main event status when Philadelphia native Jesse Hart (25-2) (21 KO’s) battles Sullivan Barrera (22-2) (14 KO’s) in a ten round light heavyweight contest.  Also, on the undercard is heavyweight and Top Rank prospect South Philadelphia’s future real life “Rocky” Sonny Conto (2-0) (2 KO’s).

Since his last fight, a second go around defeat at the hands of former WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez, Hart has continued to reinforce that it is only a matter of time before he is known as a world champion.  His quest for the super middleweight crown was well documented by this writer prior to his first clash with Ramirez in the fall of 2017.  After the close defeat, Hart regrouped with the knowledge that he was one point away from fulfilling his dream.  Three knockout victories and a year later saw Hart back in the ring with Ramirez.  It seemed entering the final rounds that Hart would clear the Ramirez hurdle, but he was hurt by an injured Ramirez and the result wound up being the same. 

With the two Ramirez fights being the only blemishes on his record, and Ramirez stating his desire to move up and join the talent loaded light heavyweight division, it was thought by many that Hart was poised to stick around the 168-pound super middleweight division and not only finally win the vacated championship by Ramirez, but in doing so would set himself up for big pay dates against some of the other talented champions and challengers in the division.

It was a bit of a shock when he told The Weigh-In directly that he was planning a move up to join the rest of the talent at 175-pounds in the light heavyweight division.  He stated that he was planning on fighting a big name in his debut and had targeted former world champion, Sergey Kovalev conqueror Eleider Alvarez.  “That division is so full of talent and now I’m going to add my name to the mix,” stated Hart.  Kudos to Hart for making the decision to not play it easy and defeat a lesser challenge to earn the championship he craves, and for chasing both greener pastures and tougher terrain at light heavyweight.

Enter Sullivan Barrera (22-2) (14 KO’s), himself a former title challenger, who like Hart only has two losses. These defeats came at the hands of future Hall of Famer Andre Ward and the current WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol.  At 37 years old, Barrera has been less active than the 29-year-old Hart and struggled a bit during his last fight back in November against the durable Sean Monaghan.  Barrera seemed a bit off during the early portions of the fight, maybe it was due to disinterest because just eight months earlier he was stopped in twelve grueling rounds in his championship bid against Bivol.  Whatever it was, Barrera handled himself like the true professional and wound up battering Monaghan in route to the decision victory.

With Alvarez dropping out of the proposed fight with Hart, Barrera was the name that filled in and allowed Hart to remain as the co-feature on this big night in Vegas.  Hart is never shy to speak his mind and has traded barbs with Barrera over social media. Recently, he informed the media on his thoughts regarding this fight in career terms and Barrera.  “The 175-pound division is wide open and I’m finally ready to win that world title.  Sullivan Barrera is in my way, so I am going to smash him,” stated Hart.  Barrera is indeed a seasoned veteran, but at the age of 37, the idea that a fighter can get “old” overnight is always close by.  “After Saturday night we’re going to put him (Barrera) into retirement, you’re not going to hear from him again,” said Hart. 

Barrera puts all of that to the side and thinks its just Hart trying to avoid dealing with nerves he may be facing since he is moving up in weight. “Jesse Hart knows he’s never fought anyone like me, he is scared.  He is coming up from 168, but the punching power at 175 is not the same.  I am a different level than what he’s used to.  It’s going to be a long night for him,” remarked Barrera.

ESPN analysts, former world champions, and future Hall of Famers Timothy Bradley and Andre Ward also had interesting takes on this fight.  “I think it’s a good move for Jesse.  I thought that at 168 pounds he may have been zapping some of his strength to make the weight.  He is a big strong guy, so 175 may just be the better fit for him,” stated Bradley.  “This is going to be a good fight and is a good way to lead into the Fury fight.  Barrera is a seasoned fighter that is technically sound,” replied Ward.  Both agreed that the winner of the fight aligns himself for bigger fights and bigger purses against the rest of the division that is rich with talent.  With the champions (Kovalev, Bivol, Beterbiev, and Gvozdyk), seemingly on a collusion course to unify their titles.  If Hart can get by Barrera (who is ranked #7 in the division) he will stake his claim for a shot at one of those champions in the future.

Also, on this loaded undercard is the aforementioned heavyweight prospect Sonny Conto.  With just two fights as a professional, Conto is indeed at the prospect stage of his career.  He has the amateur pedigree that included being crowned a National Golden Gloves champion.  His stock was high enough that Top Rank signed him right away.  With both of his wins coming at home in Philadelphia in front of an adoring crowd (and Conto already has a nice size fan base at home to build off), it made sense for Top Rank to have him continue his nurturing process by taking part in a big fight week in Sin City featuring a current heavyweight champion. 

Conto was flown out to Vegas where he spent time training and sparring with Fury as well as Joseph Parker, the only man to beat Andy Ruiz.  As Conto progresses inside of the ring, it will be a bit of time before we see the 23-year-old in a meaningful fight.  Especially a fight that begins the test to see just how far he truly can go. 

Full of talent, Conto continues to progress that talent and build the foundation to handle big fight weeks and fight nights when his name will be the one in the lights.  “Sparring with a champion is great work for a young fighter.  You don’t want to be just a sparring partner though,” stated Ward.  Bradley also agreed with Ward, “Terrance Crawford spent time with me in camp before anyone knew his name.  I think for him it was just as good outside of the ring as it was in terms of the work that we gave each other.  He got to see how I handled myself as a champion and the way I dealt with my family.”  So just what does Conto think about his time sparring Fury, “It was awesome, a great experience, and priceless.”

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Makings of a Modern Classic as Hart Seeks Redemption Deep in the Heart of Texas?

By Luis A. Cortes III 

September 22, 2017 was supposed to be the evening when Philadelphia native and super middleweight contender Jesse “Hard work or Hollywood” Hart was going to fulfill his destiny and win the WBO portion of the world championship. It was the lifelong goal of the power punching contender, whose father Eugene “Cyclone” Hart was one of the key staples in middleweight boxing during the golden age of middleweights in Philadelphia during the 1970’s. Cyclone never reached the world championship level, despite becoming a legend in the city having gone to war with many of the greats of his time. 

So, it was only natural that one of his sons would take the reins from the legendary father in what had become the family business. Many of the trials and tribulations that would go along with the long journey through childhood, a decorated amateur boxing career, and his rise through the professional ranks were documented in articles about Hart over the past two years.       

Jesse Hart: The spotlight has arrived

When will the spotlight catch up to Jesse Hart?

Across from Jesse Hart (25-1) (21) that night last year in Tucson, Arizona was the current WBO champion of the world Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (38-0) (25), who himself was aiming to prove that he was indeed the best super middleweight champion in comparison to the other champions in the loaded division. What wound up taking place was one of the most underrated fights of the year. It was a back and forth battle that saw constant action, with both fighters asking crucial questions from each other.  

Going into that fight, Hart was viewed as a power puncher, although many viewed him as a natural talent that had lacked the credible opposition to solidify that he was unequivocally the best contender in the division. As the action started, Hart boxed and moved away from Ramirez, a southpaw that loves to apply constant pressure on his opponents. It didn’t take long into the second round, before Ramirez landed a left uppercut to the chin of Hart, whom he caught bending over. A clearly hurt Hart was knocked to the canvas (his chin and ability to take a heavy punch had many picking Ramirez prior to the fight) and although he gamely rose to his feet, he was clearly dazed. 

Two things usually result from this type of situation occurring to a first-time contender. They are either overwhelmed by the combination of ensuing pressure from the champion, along with the severity of the moment, and wind up folding due to the pressures of the moment. Or their natural talent and crafted abilities take over and they rise to the occasion and discover that yes in fact, they do belong at this elite level of competition. It would be the latter in this instance that pushed the fight forward.  
  
Half way through the back and forth fight the questions about both Hart and Ramirez were answered. As both warriors asked and answered these questions, the fans were the beneficiaries of witnessing just how the pitched battle would eventually play out. With the fight reaching the championship rounds, Hart hurt Ramirez with a powerful right uppercut half way through the round. When Ramirez took a step back (something that is not in his DNA as a fighter), Hart failed to capitalize on the moment. He did however continue to box and move, and wound up landing another powerful punch, this time a looping right hand that also stunned the champion. Ramirez rallied in the twelfth and final round as the bell sounded to end the fight. It was clear to all that the outcome would be close. All three judges scored the fight in favor of Ramirez, with two judges scoring it 115-112 (7 rounds to 5) and the third judge scoring it 114-113 (6 rounds a piece, with the extra point to Ramirez due to the second-round knockdown).  

Clearly disappointed, Hart recognized that he would be on the short end of the close decision as the scores were being read by the ring announcer. To his credit, Hart stated that he would return and instantly started to beat the proverbial drum for a rematch.  

Fast forward 15 months and the boxing world will look to Corpus Christi and to the rematch that many hardcore fight fans have been waiting for. While most of the sport is focusing on the events that will take place the next night in New York City, and the showcase of boxing's biggest draw south of the heavyweight division. It’s this super middleweight rematch that has all the makings for a classic fight that this writer would not be shocked, if like its predecessor, turned into a fight of the year candidate. Just looking at what was learned in the first fight about both the champion and the challenger and the type of fight that took place, this rematch, unlike most second fights, should deliver in the action department. 

You see during the first fight, when both fighters successfully quieted all the doubters that questioned their legitimacy, they also learned things about each other in terms of the types of intangibles that can’t be taught or crafted during the hours of training in the gym. Heart, determination, and the willingness to continue to fight through the heat of battle were things that both fighters showed. Although they both showed this courage, it was the unfamiliarity and bits of caution from both men during the heated up-close exchanges that seemed to prevent their first fight from possibly being an instant modern classic.  

Entering the rematch, Jesse Hart has been a man on a mission, with one goal on his mind, seeking revenge for his lone professional loss. Prior to the first fight, it was all about winning the world championship for both himself and his family (primarily his father), and Ramirez happened to be the man standing in his way. Now you get the sense that this fight is about exacting a bit of revenge and righting a wrong, since Hart believes that he lost their first fight more than Ramirez won it, with the extra bit of incentive being that world championship.

Hart has won three fights in a row since their first encounter, while Ramirez has stayed somewhat active winning two fights. Ramirez has stayed relatively quiet about Hart, only a few times mentioning that he beat Hart once and he will do it again. While Hart has been vocal after each of his three knockout victories (all on ESPN) taking the opportunity to call out Ramirez for his chance at redemption. Hart has done so after each victory with such intensity, that you get the feeling Ramirez has become an obsession.   
  
Add into the mix that the biggest draw in the sport, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, will have his name in lights on the marquee at Madison Square Garden the next night as he competes for another version of a super middleweight championship. For his part in the division, Alvarez has mentioned that he will now fluctuate between middleweight and super middleweight to make the biggest fights for the fans. Winning this fight and having control of the WBO portion of the world championship in this division could mean the opportunity for a career high pay day down the road.  

These ingredients added together, especially the fact that both fighters are familiar with each other and their demeanor that we learned from their first fight should have them continue to push each other to both their mental and physical limits. This means that we just may be in for the instant modern classic that last September was on the cusp of becoming.  Hart vs. Ramirez 2 can be seen on ESPN+ this Friday night at 10 PM, with the undercard starting at 6:30.

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Philly's Jesse Hart is Fighting for the WBO World Super Middleweight Title on ESPN Tonight!

Fight fans (especially Philly fight fans), don't forget to tune into ESPN/ESPN Deportes tonight to watch Jesse "Hard Work" Hart (22-0, 18 KOs) challenge Gilberto Ramirez (35-0, 24 KOs), for his WBO World Super Middleweight Title in a 12 round contest at the Tucson Convention Center in Tucson, AZ. Hart, a Philly native, last fought on April 8th, when he defeated Mexico's Alan Campa (16-3, 11 KOs) via a technical knockout. Ramirez also fought in April, when he successfully defended his title against Max Bursak (33-5-1, 15 KOs) of the Ukraine.

ESPN's coverage of the card will being at 10:30 PM EST (set your alarms!), and features a 12 round, main event, WBO Featherweight Title fight between defending champion, Oscar Valdez (22-0, 19 KOs) and Genesis Servania (29-0, 12 KOs). Valdez last fought Miguel Marriaga (25-3, 21 KOs) on April 22nd, when he won by unanimous decision over the former WBO NABO Featherweight titleholder. Servania most recently fought and defeated Ralph Jhon Lulu (12-2-2, 5 KOs) on April 29th.

Check out the Tucson Convention Center website for more information on this exciting night of nationally televised, professional boxing!

MW

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