Rising light welterweight prospect, Maurice Hooker, has a record of 21-0-2 with 16 KOs and is looking towards getting a title shot in the near future. Hooker is currently rated #9 by the WBO and #12 IBF, and is coming off a defense of his WBO/NABO light welterweight title against Ty Barnett in which he won in one round.
In my interview with Maurice Hooker, I discuss with him his latest appearance in the ring and get his thoughts on the light welterweight division. Hooker talks about some of the fights he would like to have at the weight class and how he thinks he would do with Adrien Broner. Additionally, Maurice shares his thoughts on Ward vs. Kovalev and Pacquiao-Vargas. Here is what Maurice Hooker had to say.
Robert Brown: Can you tell us a little bit about your background in boxing?
Maurice Hooker: I got started because I was getting into a lot of trouble growing up and my dad took me to the gym to get beat up, but I actually beat everybody up and fell in love with boxing. I was getting into a lot of trouble and my dad took me to that gym to try something new.
Robert Brown: Can you talk about your recent fight with Ty Barnett?
Maurice Hooker: I did good but I feel that I could have done better. There’s still things I need to work on.
Robert Brown: What things do you feel you need to improve on?
Maurice Hooker: More jabs, I didn’t feel that I threw my jab enough. I feel if I went to the body when I had him hurt, I could have gotten him out quicker.
Robert Brown: The 140lb division is a talent stacked division, do you feel you can get a title shot with someone like Terence Crawford soon?
Maurice Hooker: Me and Terence have been cool, I went to camp with him down there for a couple of days, we’re cool. Right now I’m not worried about fighting Terence Crawford, I’m worried about fighting everybody else. I’ll fight anybody my promoter and my manager put in front of me. Right now I’m not worried about Terence Crawford, I would prefer to fight Adrien Broner or somebody like that.
Robert Brown: How do you think you would do against someone like Adrien Broner?
Maurice Hooker: I think I would knock Adrien Broner out. I would love to fight Ricky Burns for his belt, I feel that I would knock him out. I’m ready to fight anybody and show the world my skills. Right now, I don’t think I have shown the world what I can do.
Robert Brown: How many fights do you think you would need before you got an opportunity against someone like Terence Crawford?
Maurice Hooker: I think I’m one or two away. I had one big fight on TV to show everybody who I am and what I can do. I think I’m very close.
Robert Brown: Are people starting to recognize who Maurice Hooker is and coming up to you asking for an autograph?
Maurice Hooker: Yeah it’s a good feeling, I took a lot of pictures, signed a lot of autographs, talked to a lot of people. It was a good feeling, I love stuff like that and I’m just blessed to be able to do that.
Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on the upcoming fight between Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev?
Maurice Hooker: I just hope Andre Ward can take the power. I’m going with Andre Ward.
Robert Brown: Do you think he wins by decision?
Maurice Hooker: Yes, I think a split decision. I think Andre Ward can make it an inside fight, he can fight on the outside. I think he’s got a little more talent, I just hope he can take the power.
Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on Manny Pacquiao fighting Jessie Vargas next? Were you disappointed that Terence Crawford didn’t get the shot?
Maurice Hooker: I knew Pacquiao wasn’t going to fight Crawford, Terence Crawford is younger and he’s got more skills than Pacquiao. I think Crawford would be too much for Pacquiao. Pacquiao has one or two fights left and I think he wants to win a couple of fights, so they went with Jessie Vargas. That’s not an easy fight, I see them going toe-to-toe but It’s a good fight for Pacquiao. Vargas has a lot of heart but that’s a tough fight, I think there’s going to toe-to-toe action and it could be one of the fights of the year.
Robert Brown: Do you believe the reason he didn’t take the Crawford fight is because Terence has too much skill and would beat him?
Maurice Hooker: Yes, I think Pacquiao will run into a Terence Crawford right hand or a straight left, because he likes to jump in with his punches. Terence Crawford is a pretty good pot shotter and I think he would catch him.
Robert Brown: Are you planning on staying at 140lbs and cleaning out the division or are you thinking about moving up to welterweight?
Maurice Hooker: I’m planning on staying at 140lbs and dominate at 140 and get all the belts, then move up to 147, after I get all four belts.
Robert Brown: Where do you plan to be by this time next year?
Maurice Hooker: I hope I’m one of the top guys that everybody talks about. I want to be the talk of boxing. Hopefully I have like one or two belt around this time next year and I hope I’ll be the best one at 140lbs.
you don’t know what you are talking about maurice “the moron” hooker. you think manny is an easy fight for terence crawford. STUPID!!!
You don’t what you are talking about Maurice hooker. Crawford is very easy assignment for pacquiao. Pacman is different animal and don’t judge the skill, power and speed of Manny Pacquiao. I TELL you now once Pacman and Crawford will fight I BET pacman won easily.
You don’t know what you are talking about Maurice hooker. Crawford is very easy assignment for pacquiao. Pacman is different animal and don’t judge the skill, power and speed of Manny Pacquiao. I TELL you now once Pacman and Crawford will fight I BET pacman won easily.
Oh he knows. Just like 90% of the pundits in boxing know. Manny is just trying to survive for a couple of fights to get the money coffers replenished. Crawford would end that before Manny had a chance. Freddie Roach knows too.
HE never said it would be easy, tool. He just said Manny is avoiding Crawford…and for good reason…Manny is in it for the money grab only…he knows it, Freddie Roach knows it, hell…even HBO knows it since they won’t televise the PPV. Manny’s too hold to be fighting the best at 140. But the 5th best at 147? That’s a different story that gives Manny a better chance. Stop being a fanboy tool.
Here we go agAin another retArd who belong to pretentious yOung hungry lion group whO talk non-sense! Crawford is more skillfull thAn pAcman? Nah! this is absolutely hilarious!
Anyone that knows boxing knows that Crawford is the fighter with more skill and class.
Its arum who really doesnt want crawford and pacquiao to face each other. Crawford is a rising star and arum cant risk crawford to lose at an early stage where he hasnt really fought that big of names yet. Pacquiao on the other hand would fight anyone as long as the money is there. He doesnt care that much anymore if he loses since he already made a name for himself.
Thats a homer fan boy statement if I’ve ever seen one. Crawford knocks Pac out.
Maurice Hooker you stupid AF Lol
He knows better than you. Just like the majority of boxing purists and pundits know. Crawford would end manny’s money grab in a hurry. Even Freddie Roach knows this.