Maurice Hooker Announces Move to 147!
Former WBO junior welterweight champion Maurice Hooker announced via social media his plans to migrate to welterweight (147).
Hooker opened with “I feel my last couple of performances in the ring have been impacted by the 140-pound weight limit.”
“I want to give my fans the best possible performances and therefore, after careful deliberations with my manager and promoter, I have decided to move up to the 147-pound limit.
“I know I’ll be much stronger and closer to my natural weight and I’m looking forward to joining the talented welterweight division and feel very good about my future continuing my boxing career as a welterweight.”
This move comes as no surprise, considering previous public statements that a move up north seven pounds was imminent. His last fight at junior welterweight won’t be quickly forgotten. He and unified champion Jose Ramirez went to war in July 2019.
Ultimately, Ramirez bested Hooker and claimed the WBO when he stopped Hooker in round 6.
As he moves up to welterweight, it’ll be interesting to see where he fits in. He joins a weight class with Errol Spence, Terence Crawford, Keith Thurman, Shawn Porter and Manny Pacquiao. All are former or current world champions who are seen as some of the top fighters in the sport!
With his height and punching power, he figures to have some success against the middle of the pack guys like Yordenis Ugas, Adrien Broner, Jamal James and Ray Robinson.
It’ll be interesting to see if Hooker can have similar success in his new division. He expects to return before the end of 2019.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
