Hooker vs. Saucedo Purse Bid: Top Rank Beats Out Hearn

The World Boxing Organization has revealed that Top Rank was the winner of Tuesday's purse bid, to secure the promotional rights for the mandatory fight between WBO junior welterweight champion Maurice Hooker (24-0-3, 16 KOs) and challenger Alex Saucedo (28-0, 18 KOs).

Last month, the two sides were given twenty days (20) to reach a deal. Because a deal was not reached, a purse bid was ordered by the WBO.

The purse bid was held at at the World Boxing Organization headquarter offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Top Rank, who promote Saucedo, submitted a bid of $1,625,000.00, and Hearn - who handles Hooker -  put in a bid of 1,555,000.00.

Top Rank informed the WBO that Hooker vs. Saucedo will take place in Oklahoma City on Nov 16 or 17.

In Top Rank winning, Hooker vs. Saucedo will be heading to ESPN.

Back in June at the Manchester Arena, Hooker traveled across the pond to pulled off an unexpected upset - with a twelve round split decision over Terry Flanagan to win the vacant WBO junior welterweight crown.

Flanagan, who held a world title at lightweight, was the heavy favorite going in, but seemed flat in the contest and had issues with Hooker's style.

Hooker recently finalized a co-promotional agreement with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom USA - and he will be featured on the DAZN, which is the new streaming service that Hearn inked a multi-year agreement with.

The World Boxing Super Series wanted Hooker for their upcoming junior welterweight tournament - but the WBO was not allowing him to bypass his mandatory defense.

On the other end, Saucedo was involved in a wild war with Lenny Z on June 30th in Oklahoma City. Both fighters were badly cut up and Saucedo saw himself in serious trouble during the fourth round.

Saucedo, who is trained by veteran coach Abel Sanchez, was able to weather the storm and stopped Lenny Z in the seventh round.