Maurice Hooker to make his second title defense March 9
WBO junior welterweight champion Maurice Hooker (25-0-3, 17KO) will make his second title defense against little known Brooklynite Mikkel LesPierre (21-0-1, 10KO). The bout will be on the under-card of WBA light heavyweight champion Dmitry Bivol’s fourth title defense against Joe Smith Jr on DAZN.
Hooker is coming off a sensational seventh round knockout over Alex Saucedo in November 2018. The win not only granted him his first title defense but many feel his performance made him a “wildcard” at 140 pounds.
Many pundits hoped the champion would take on undefeated #1 contender Jack Catterall next. The fighter from Lancashire previously expressed his want for a title fight sometime this year. Additionally, both men were available for a potential summer clash.
However, Hooker is looking to return sooner than later and without the WBO ordering he fight the #1 contender, Catterall will have to wait for the results on March 9.
LesPierre is a Trinidadian born fighter who is undefeated and currently sitting at #14 in the WBO rankings. His resume is lacking a noticeable name that will help his case of being competitive in terms of experience. However, being a protege of trainer Don Saxby at the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn will give him some credibility.
It is difficult on paper to say this fight will be competitive given the inexperience factor. Regardless, this could be a great fight off the strength of LesPierre having “nothing to lose and everything to gain!”
By: EJ Williams
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