ARLINGTON, Texas -- It doesn't get much better than a unification fight between two undefeated fighters in their primes. Luckily for fans that's exactly the fight they will get on July 27 on DAZN. WBO junior welterweight champion Maurice Hooker will be putting his title on the line against Jose Ramirez who will be bringing his WBC title to the ring. Not only will someone be losing their undefeated record but someone will also be losing their title.
At 5-feet, 11-inches tall and with a reach of 80-inches, Hooker (26-0-3, 17 KOs) is one of the taller, longer fighters in the junior welterweight division. That height and reach allow Hooker to fight well from the outside. He has a nice jab and a strong right hand and while he sometimes reaches with that right hand and leaves himself open for counter punches, it is still his most dangerous weapon. His left hook isn't bad but he can get too wide with it at times, again leaving himself open for return fire. Hooker does move well in the ring though so he isn't a stationary target. He just needs to realize that he can win fights from the outside by staying patient and pumping his jab and right hand. He currently does win fights that way but a bit more patience would make those victories even easier.
Hooker won his WBO title in 2018 against Terry Flanagan. He followed that win up by stopping the then undefeated Alex Saucedo in the seventh round. In March of this year Hooker handed Mikkel LesPierre the first loss of his career to successfully defend his title for the second time. Also, his last four opponents had a combined record of 100-0-1. Now Hooker will step in the ring against arguably the best opponent of his career in Ramirez. This will also be Hooker's highest profile fight and one that should help clear the way to finding out who is the best junior welterweight in the sport.
Ramirez (24-0, 16 KOs) has built a large following in his native Southern California. That's due in part to his exciting fighting style and also to his outspokenness on social and political issues. The 26-year-old is an aggressive fighter who likes to come forward and attack the body. Ramirez fights behind a good jab that is often followed by a heavy right hand upstairs. While Ramirez's right hand is a good weapon, his best punch is his left hook. When Ramirez can get in the pocket and bang to the body with his left hook he's a very dangerous fighter. On defense Ramirez is far from slick and he's usually there to be hit but he's shown a very solid chin and doesn't seem to mind eating a punch or two as long as he can unleash a few of his own. Getting inside on Hooker could be difficult though because while Ramirez is just an inch shorter than him, he has a reach that is nearly 8-inches shorter.
Ramirez's last four opponents had a combined record of 101-2. Among them were fighters Antonio Orozco and Amir Imam. Most people consider Ramirez to be a top three, if not top two, junior welterweight. A fight that fans have been pining for is one between Ramirez and the man considered to be the best in the division, Regis Prograis. If that fight is going to happen Ramirez will first need to handle business against Hooker.
Like many fights, the outcome of this one should come down to who controls the distance. Hooker is taller and longer and he prefers to fight on the outside. He will need to stay busy with his jab to control the distance but also punish Ramirez with right hands when he tries to get inside. If Hooker can stay on the outside and touch Ramirez when he tries to get inside he could box his way to a decision victory. Ramirez will need to do the opposite. He will need to get inside and break Hooker's body down. While Ramirez might be a touch slower he does have heavier hands. If Ramirez can slip Hooker's jab consistently and do damage to the body he might be able to stop his fellow champion in the late rounds.
PREDICTION: Maurice Hooker is a good fighter and his length could help him win this fight on the judges cards. However, he also has a few bad habits and Jose Ramirez will be able to capitalize on those flaws. Ramirez will also win the distance battle and because of that he will come away with a close but clear unanimous decision victory.
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| Hooker, celebrating his title win over Terry Flanagan |
Hooker won his WBO title in 2018 against Terry Flanagan. He followed that win up by stopping the then undefeated Alex Saucedo in the seventh round. In March of this year Hooker handed Mikkel LesPierre the first loss of his career to successfully defend his title for the second time. Also, his last four opponents had a combined record of 100-0-1. Now Hooker will step in the ring against arguably the best opponent of his career in Ramirez. This will also be Hooker's highest profile fight and one that should help clear the way to finding out who is the best junior welterweight in the sport.
Ramirez (24-0, 16 KOs) has built a large following in his native Southern California. That's due in part to his exciting fighting style and also to his outspokenness on social and political issues. The 26-year-old is an aggressive fighter who likes to come forward and attack the body. Ramirez fights behind a good jab that is often followed by a heavy right hand upstairs. While Ramirez's right hand is a good weapon, his best punch is his left hook. When Ramirez can get in the pocket and bang to the body with his left hook he's a very dangerous fighter. On defense Ramirez is far from slick and he's usually there to be hit but he's shown a very solid chin and doesn't seem to mind eating a punch or two as long as he can unleash a few of his own. Getting inside on Hooker could be difficult though because while Ramirez is just an inch shorter than him, he has a reach that is nearly 8-inches shorter.
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| Ramirez, catching Jose Zepeda with a hard right hand |
Like many fights, the outcome of this one should come down to who controls the distance. Hooker is taller and longer and he prefers to fight on the outside. He will need to stay busy with his jab to control the distance but also punish Ramirez with right hands when he tries to get inside. If Hooker can stay on the outside and touch Ramirez when he tries to get inside he could box his way to a decision victory. Ramirez will need to do the opposite. He will need to get inside and break Hooker's body down. While Ramirez might be a touch slower he does have heavier hands. If Ramirez can slip Hooker's jab consistently and do damage to the body he might be able to stop his fellow champion in the late rounds.
PREDICTION: Maurice Hooker is a good fighter and his length could help him win this fight on the judges cards. However, he also has a few bad habits and Jose Ramirez will be able to capitalize on those flaws. Ramirez will also win the distance battle and because of that he will come away with a close but clear unanimous decision victory.
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