Maurice ‘Mighty Mo’ Hooker has an undefeated record of 23-0-3 and has a world title fight coming up against Terry Flanagan on June 9. In this interview, Hooker discusses his preparation for the fight and his thoughts on going over to the United Kingdom. Maurice also speaks on what he believes his advantages will be and his future should he beat Terry Flanagan. Additionally, Maurice Hooker gives us his thoughts on the upcoming bouts between Manny Pacquiao and Lucas Matthysse, Terence Crawford and Jeff Horn and a potential Anthony Joshua vs. Deontay Wilder bout. Here is what Maurice Hooker had to say.
Robert Brown: You have a world title fight against Terry Flanagan coming up, how do you feel the preparation has gone for this fight?
Maurice Hooker: So far, so good – I actually added a nutrition and conditioning coach to my camp, so I’m feeling great right now. I’ve actually been training with Terence Crawford and it’s been great. We’re pushing each other and he’s helping me fix things when I do it wrong.
Robert Brown: Do you have any concerns about traveling to the United Kingdom for this title fight, be it either the pressure of your opponent’s home crowd against you or being on the wrong end of a controversial decision?
Maurice Hooker: I’m totally okay with traveling to the UK to fight over there. Honestly, he’s going to have all the pressure on him since it’ll be in front of his home crowd and he’s going to want to look good for them.
Robert Brown: What attributes do you have that you believe will give you an advantage over Terry Flanagan?
Maurice Hooker: My height, my power and my defense. Plus, I believe I’ll out-work him.
Robert Brown: Does Terry Flanagan bring anything to the table that you believe could present a danger in this fight?
Maurice Hooker: Just his speed — he’s got very strong hand speed. He can swing fast, but other than that, he doesn’t really have any power.
Robert Brown: Do you believe you can knock out Terry Flanagan or are you expecting a decision victory?
Maurice Hooker: Absolutely, I can definitely knock him out.
Robert Brown: Assuming you get past Terry Flanagan would you like to unify against Jose Carlos Ramirez or Kiryl Relikh or move up to 147? What are your plans?
Maurice Hooker: I just want to fight the best at 140 and take over that division. I’ll fight anybody at 140 and I would love to unify, but at the end of the day, they have to be the best.
Robert Brown: What are your thoughts on the Manny Pacquiao-Lucas Matthysse fight? Do you consider this a dangerous fight for a 39-year-old Manny Pacquiao? Who do you think will win?
Maurice Hooker: I have to give it to Pacquiao because he’s the best fighter and he still has his speed.
Robert Brown: What are your thoughts and prediction for the Terence Crawford vs Jeff Horn fight?
Maurice Hooker: Like I said, I’ve learned a lot from Crawford after training with him, so I know he’s going to knock the man down. Crawford is just way too smart in the ring.
Robert Brown: If the mega bout between Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder happens, who do you think would win?
Maurice Hooker: Wilder has the advantage because of his power. In my opinion, Anthony Joshua can’t prepare for getting hit that hard?
Robert Brown: What position would you like to be in by this time next year?
Maurice Hooker: This time next year, I want to have two belts at 140 and want to have successfully defended my titles a few times. I truly see myself taking over the division.
Hooker is a average fighter imo, but he talks a good game, we will see what he can do on the big stage.