Hart signs with Top Rank, will debut on Pacquiao-Bradley card

Jesse Hart, the 22-year-old son of Eugene "Cyclone" Hart, a premier middleweight out of Philadelphia through the 1970s, will make his professional debut on the undercard of the main event featuring WBO welterweight beltholder Manny Pacquiao against WBO junior welterweight titleholder Tim Bradley on HBO Pay Per View from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on June 9.

Top Rank Inc. CEO, Bob Arum, announced on Friday that he has signed an exclusive promotional contract with Hart, whose accolades include posting an amateur record of 85-11 and earned the a National Golden Gloves title at 165 pounds.

"Eugene ‘Cyclone’ Hart fought in Philadelphia in an era of unbelievable middleweight talent," said Arum. "Now we have the opportunity to promote Jesse Hart, the son of the Cyclone."

In 2011, Jesse Hart won the USA National Tournament at 178 pounds and went undefeated at the double elimination USA Olympic Trials box-offs.

"I have always admired Top Rank. Bob Arum is the best," said Hart. "They are, and, have been the premier boxing promoters for over 30-40 years."

Trained by his father, Hart is also signed with the Philadelphia-based D and D Management, and is co-managed by Alfred "Doc" Nowicki and David Price.

"As an amateur, Jesse won 85 fights and a lot of gold medals," said Nowicki, who also manages unbeaten welterweight, Mike Jones. "He is a very skilled fighter who has knockout power. We think he is a future world champion."

Hart married his childhood sweetheart, Starletto Brayboy-Hart, in August of last year, and is expecting a daughter, Halo, to be born this coming August.

"I am very excited that Jesse has signed with D&D Management as well as a promotional deal with Top Rank," said Price. "I think that everyone involved, especially the fans will thoroughly enjoy watching the career of Jesse Hart."

Hart's hard-hitting father posted a career mark of 30-9-1 that included 28 knockouts, a victory over Sugar Ray Seals, a draw and a loss to Bennie Briscoe, and setbacks against Bobby "Boogaloo" Watts, Willie "The Worm" Monroe, Marvin Hagler, Vito Antuofermo and Eddie Mustafa Muhammad.

"We hope Jesse will be a future superstar," said Arum, "which will make all of us, including his father, very proud."

Photo by D and D Management

Lem Satterfield can be reached at lemuel.satterfield@gmail.com