Maurice Hooker’s handlers have had discussions about the former WBO junior welterweight champion opposing another onetime 140-pound champion next.
If they can’t come to an agreement for Hooker to fight Regis Prograis, however, Hooker gladly would challenge the unbeaten champion who topped Prograis in their title unification fight three months ago. Hooker predicted during an interview with BoxingScene.com that he would soundly defeat Josh Taylor if given the opportunity to face the Scottish southpaw.
“I would out-box him,” Hooker said. “I think I would win every round against him. He’s a good fighter – don’t get me wrong. But I’m not Regis. I’m not that small guy. I’m bigger than him. I’m longer than him, I’ve got punching power and I’d just out-box him.”
Scotland’s Taylor (16-0, 12 KOs) defeated New Orleans’ Prograis (24-1, 20 KOs) by majority decision in their closely contested, 12-round battle October 26 at O2 Arena in London. Taylor defended his IBF junior welterweight title, took the WBA super lightweight championship from Prograis and won the World Boxing Super Series’ 140-pound tournament.
“That was a good fight,” Hooker said. “Taylor won, but not by that much. You know, probably by a round or two. It could’ve even been a draw. I just feel like Taylor was the bigger guy. He started using his size close to the end of the fight.”
The 5-feet-11 Hooker believes he would fare better than Prograis in part because he is taller than the 5-10 Taylor, who owned a two-inch height advantage over Prograis.
“I would bully him in the ring,” Hooker said, “just like he did Regis.”
The 30-year-old Hooker (27-1-3, 18 KOs) gladly would make a transatlantic trip to challenge Taylor in Scotland or England.
“I’m OK with that,” Hooker said. “My bags is packed. Just tell me and my team what date.”
Dallas’ Hooker traveled to England to win the WBO 140-pound title in June 2018. He defeated Terry Flanagan, who was unbeaten at that time, by 12-round split decision to win that vacant championship at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, Flanagan’s hometown.
Hooker seemingly has a better chance at facing Prograis than getting a shot at Taylor’s titles. Whereas Prograis and Hooker have open schedules, Taylor is expected to make a mandated defense of his IBF junior welterweight title in his next fight against Thailand’s Apinun Khongsong (16-0, 13 KOs).
Prograis hasn’t fought since his loss to Taylor.
Hooker ended his comeback bout from his defeat to Jose Ramirez in the first round December 20. He needed just two minutes and 52 seconds to stop Uriel Perez (19-5, 17 KOs) that night at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix.
Hooker lost the WBO junior welterweight title to Ramirez (25-0, 17 KOs) by sixth-round technical knockout in what had been a very competitive title unification fight July 27 at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.
Keith Idec is a senior writer/columnist for BoxingScene.com. He can be reached on Twitter @Idecboxing.