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Vergil Ortiz Jr. & Maurice Hooker To Fight In Huge
Matchup Between Dallas, TX Natives Mar. 20
A hometown battle between two Dallas, Texas natives will
take place on March 20 as Vergil Ortiz Jr. (16-0, 16 KOs)
and former world champion Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker
(27-1-3, 19 KOs) clash in a 12-round fight for the vacant
WBO International Welterweight Title. The bout will headline
a card that includes the Unites States debut of heavyweight
monster Arslanbek “Lion” Makhmudov and a world title clash
between Anabel “Avispa” Ortiz and Seniesa “Superbad”
Estrada.
Information regarding the venue will be announced shortly as
it is pending commission approval. The fights will be
streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, including the
U.S., Mexico and Russia.
“On his rapid ascent from prospect to contender, Vergil has
absolutely blown away everyone we have put in front of him,
including a former world champion,” said Oscar De La Hoya,
Chairman and CEO of Golden Boy. “But with a win over Maurice
Hooker, just one fight removed from a significant title
reign, on March 20, Vergil can stamp his ticket to a world
championship fight.”
Since debuting as a professional in 2016, Ortiz Jr. has
knocked out every single person who has stepped into the
ring with him. The native of Grand Prairie, Texas, who has
roots in Michoacan, Mexico, has scored stoppage wins against
the likes of Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera, Antonio
“Relentless” Orozco, Brad “King” Solomon and Samuel Vargas.
The 22-year-old contender has been wanting to fight Hooker
for some time, and he’s eager to demonstrate his abilities
against a former world champion.
“First and foremost, I’m really grateful to be fighting back
at home again,” said Vergil Ortiz Jr. “Not only that, but
I’ll be fighting another Dallas native in Maurice Hooker.
I’ve known Hooker since back in the amateur days. I know
we’re going to give the fans back at home a fight to
remember.”
Hooker is a 31-year-old former world champion who traveled
to United Kingdom to defeat Terry “Turbo” Flanagan and
capture the 140-pound WBO title. Then, Hooker scored big
wins against undefeated contenders Mikkel “Slikk
Mikk”LesPierre and Alex “El Cholo” Saucedo before suffering
his first loss in an epic unification fight against Jose
Carlos Ramirez. Now at welterweight, Hooker plans to derail
Ortiz’s meteoric rise by putting an end to their
long-standing rivalry.
"I've never been one to shy away from a fight,” said Maurice
Hooker. “The decision to fight Ortiz was an easy one as it
allows me to prove to the world something that I already
know—that I'm one of the best welterweights in the world. I
have a new team around me who has taken my game to a whole
new level, and I feel amazing at this weight class. I can't
wait to put on a show for all the fans on March 20. Dallas,
get ready!"
In the co-main event, Arslanbek “Lion” Makhmudov (11-0, 11
KOs) will make his highly anticipated United States debut in
a 10-round defense of his NABF heavyweight title in a bout
presented by Golden Boy and Eye of the Tiger Management. The
31-year-old Russian is on the fast track to a world title,
and he already has his eyes set on the biggest names of the
division.
Two-division champion Anabel “Avispa” Ortiz (31-3, 4 KOs) of
Mexico City, Mexico and former flyweight champion Seniesa
“Superbad” Estrada (19-0, 8 KOs) of East Los Angeles,
California will meet in an epic 10-round fight for Ortiz’s
WBA Minimumweight World Title. Ortiz is eager to make a
statement in her United States debut, while Estrada looks to
accomplish her dream of becoming a world champion in more
than one division.
Luis “Matador” Hernandez (21-0, 19 KOs) of Chihuahua, Mexico
will participate in a 10-round super lightweight battle
against Alex Martin (15-3, 6 KOs) of Chicago, Illinois.
George Rincon (10-0, 7 KOs) of Dallas, Texas will return in
an eight-round super lightweight fight against a
soon-to-be-announced opponent.
Hector Valdez (13-0, 8 KOs) of Dallas, Texas will face
Alberto Torres (11-3-3, 4 KOs) of Sacramento, California in
an eight-round super bantamweight battle.
Oscar Acevedo (7-0) of Garden City, Kansas and James “Crunch
Time” Willkins (9-1-0, 6 KOs) of Staten Island, New York
will meet in an eight-round super featherweight bout between
two Golden Boy prospects.
Ortiz Jr. vs Hooker is a 12-round fight for the WBO
International Welterweight Championship presented by Golden
Boy. The event is sponsored by Hennessy "Never Stop. Never
Settle” and “BetOnline - Your Online Sportsbook Experts.”
The fight will take place on Saturday, March 20 in Dallas,
Texas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN
worldwide, including the U.S., Mexico and Russia.
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