Vergil Ortiz crumples up Maurice Hooker in devastating fashion.
In an impressive step-up fight, Vergil Ortiz Jr (17-0, 17 KO’s) defeated Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker (27-2-3, 18 KO’s) via seventh round stoppage. To date Hooker, a former world champion, is the most accomplished and youthful fighter that Ortiz (22), has matched wits with. Sadly for Hooker, his senior status didn’t materialize in the ring. The young pugilist put on a body-pounding clinic and clearly demonstrated why he is a force to be reckoned with.
The loss most certainly leaves Hooker in a precarious situation. His glory days were truly all enjoyed at junior welterweight. In fact this dust-up with Ortiz was only his second bout in the welterweight division. Therefore, if Mighty Mo can’t hang with the contenders, how will he fare against the elite welterweights? Not to mention, if welterweight is too rough and tumble and he can’t make junior welterweight, what’s next?
At the moment it all appears very grim.
Conversely, just as is the rule of the jungle, one animal feasts while another provides the meat. With the impressive win on the visible stage, Ortiz’ stock will only continue to rise. He is already ranked #2 by the WBO and #6 by the WBC. Provided that he keeps winning, Ortiz should land a title bout in his very near future.
ORTIZ WAS THE GOODS
When the fight began, Hooker was able to hold Ortiz at bay with is freakishly long jab for about 40 seconds. After that point a shelled-up Ortiz began walking Mighty Mo down and landed respectable shots. Early on Ortiz stabbed to the body with straight rights and clawed Hookers head with menacing hooks. The former champion never stopped pumping his jab, but it had lost steam by the second.
With the coming of the third, Ortiz pressed on the gas just a bit. During this period he rededicated himself to the body attack by really sitting down on his blows. Along with the added ferocity he threw a substantial amount of them. Mighty Mo enjoyed his best success of the fight in the fourth. In the final minute of the period Hooker landed a hard straight right on the chin and a left hook that visibly twisted Ortiz a bit.
The former champion rolled that good vibration into the fifth round. About the half way mark, however, Ortiz hurt Mighty Mo with a right, left hook combo to the left side of his body. The two shots forced him to pin his arms to his ribs and retreat for largely the next full minute of the round. At this point, it was evident a knockdown may be on the horizon.
In the final minute of the sixth, Ortiz clipped Hooker with a right uppercut that sank him down to the canvas.
Smelling blood, the undefeated fighter went right at Mighty Mo to begin the seventh. During a mutual exchange, the former champion landed a hard right hand on the top of Ortiz’ head which caused him to immediately recoil and sink to the floor. He would never rise again. Apparently Hooker injured his hand and could not, or would not, continue.
PASSING THE TEST
As stated previously, undefeated and ranked in the top ten by two major sanctioning bodies, the question “is Ortiz ready for a title shot” is all fans can talk about right now. In an interview on DAZN before this bout, WBO welterweight champ Terence Crawford did not show much interest in the fight mentioning he “laughs at the idea”. Furthermore, unified champ Errol Spence Jr seems to be wrapped up in capturing the third title in the division as he is expected to face WBA champ Yordenis Ugas.
RELATED: Vergil Ortiz on Fighting Errol Spence: “We’re Not Going The Distance!”
Therefore, it doesn’t seem the cards are playing in Ortiz’ favor at the moment. However in the meantime, he just needs to keep winning!
By: Bakari Simpson
