One of the best fighters in the world to compete at 140 pounds has decided to take his talents to a new division.
On Tuesday, former WBO junior welterweight champion Maurice Hooker announced he's exiting the 140-pound division and making the move up to welterweight.
Hooker (26-1-3, 17 KOs) last fought back in July when he lost the WBO belt by sixth-round TKO to WBC champion Jose Ramirez in a title unification bout. The 30-year-old feels the difficulty in making the championship weight of 140 pounds impacted his performance not only in the Ramirez fight, but also in his last couple of outings prior. Now, he says, fans will get to see the real "Mighty Mo."
“I feel my last couple of performances in the ring have been impacted by the 140 pounds weight limit,” Hooker said in a press release. “I want to give my fans the best possible performances and therefore after careful deliberations with my manager and promoter, I have decided to move up to the 147 pounds limit. I know I’ll be much stronger and closer to my natural weight and I’m looking forward to joining the talented welterweight division and feel very good about my future continuing my boxing career as a welterweight.”
The welterweight division is regarded as one of boxing's deepest with the likes of IBF champion Errol Spence Jr., WBA titlist Manny Pacquiao, WBC titleholder Shawn Porter and WBO champ Terence Crawford leading the way. Hooker is expected to make his 147-pound debut later this year with the promise of significant fights in 2020.
“Maurice has had a great run at 140 pounds and now it’s time for a new chapter in one of the most glamorous divisions in the sport,” Eddie Hearn, Hooker’s co-promoter, said. “I really believe this extra weight will suit him so well and we look forward to his return later this year and seeing him in huge fights in the welterweight division in 2020.”