Jesse Hart feels robbed of a win, but found inspiration in a tumultuous fight week.
Last week was far from smooth sailing for veteran boxer Jesse Hart. He faced a debatable majority decision loss to Khalil Coe in Las Vegas, a situation made even more frustrating by the fact that Coe had missed weight by nearly eight pounds before their bout.
When asked what went right in Sin City, Hart’s response was blunt: "None of it." He elaborated, explaining the litany of issues: the weight discrepancy, battling the flu, and not receiving the financial compensation he was due for Coe's significant weight miss. "It just went horribly wrong," Hart admitted. "But it went horribly right at the same time, if that makes sense."
And here's where it gets interesting... In the eyes of many fans, Hart emerged as the moral victor. His social media has been flooded with messages of support from around the globe, with people commending his resilience.
"I inspired them, at 36 years of age, to never give up," Hart shared. He sees his fight as a powerful message that age is just a number and that pursuing your passions is always worthwhile. "If you feel in your heart, you can do something. That’s priceless to me."
Despite the adversity, Hart was never close to withdrawing from the fight. In fact, Coe's actions at the weigh-in, where he reportedly pushed Hart, fueled his determination. This push also alarmed Hart's daughter, which further motivated him. "She got scared, I was alarmed. So it was like, ‘Yo, I want to fight him,’" Hart explained. "I really wanted to fight because of my daughter."
Hart has reviewed the fight footage multiple times and consistently scores it six rounds to four in his favor, believing he won the initial four and the final two rounds. He attributes any middle-round success Coe had to his substantial weight advantage. "He was so heavy," Hart noted, while also mentioning his own battle with a severe flu leading up to the fight. He emphasized that even with these challenges, his goal was to inspire the world and show he's a true fighter.
He vividly described the power of his punches: "The punches that I hit him with would knock down buildings, brother. The right hands that I landed will level buildings." He explained that Coe's immense weight advantage, estimated to be around 200 pounds after rehydration compared to Hart's 184 pounds, allowed him to absorb those blows.
Financially, Hart is secure and doesn't need to fight again. However, the decision weighs on him, with some family members encouraging him to retire at 36. "I don't want to walk away, but again, I’ve got to see," he mused. He plans to consult with his doctor, daughter, and family before making a final decision about his future in boxing.
Hart feels a sense of satisfaction knowing he showcased his fighting spirit, honoring the legacy of great Philly fighters like Joe Frazier and his father, Eugene “Cyclone” Hart. Yet, the perceived injustice of the decision remains a significant issue for him. "Definitely. I was robbed," he stated firmly. "I was robbed of a win. After all that, though, man, I thought I won. The world can’t be wrong."
But here's where it gets heartwarming... The animosity between the fighters seemed to dissipate after the bout. Hart revealed that Coe expressed gratitude for Hart not taking all of the money he was owed due to the weight miss, allowing Coe to provide for his family. This moment of empathy deeply resonated with Hart. "When he said that, I said, ‘Brother, I hope you and your son is healthy and I'm glad you make it home to your family, brother.’" Hart expressed admiration for Coe's family-oriented nature, a quality he finds rare in young men today.
Hart is not angry, believing the world saw his true victory. He acknowledges his family's concerns about his safety in the ring, but the itch to fight is ingrained in him. "I'm a fighter. This is what I was bred to do. I wasn’t bred to do anything else but boxing."
What do you think? Was Jesse Hart robbed of a victory? And at 36, with family concerns, should he hang up his gloves? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
