It all starts somewhere. 

Sure, there are the building block wins, the steps that build impressions and create early excitement. There may be some recognizable names along the way. It’s different when the real step up arrives. 

Boxing followers know the difference. 

Right now at welterweight, two young talents have carved their places as potential standard bearers. They may yet emerge as a rivalry for a new generation. It’s not quite there but the step’s up have arrived for both. 

23-year old Jaron Ennis (26-0, 24 KO) was announced this week for a showdown with veteran Sergey Lipinets. Before anyone can consider measuring performances against each other, Vergil Ortiz has to win this weekend.

Former Jr. welterweight titlist Maurice Hooker will have plenty to say about that (Saturday, DAZN, 9 PM EST).     

Let’s get into it. 

Stats and Stakes

Maurice Hooker

Age: 31

Titles: None 

Previous Titles: WBO Jr. welterweight (2018-19, 2 Defenses)

Height: 5’11 

Weight: 147 lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Dallas, Texas

Record: 27-1-3, 18 KO, 1 KOBY

Press Rankings: Unrated

Record in Major Title Fights: 3-1, 1 KO, 1 KOBY

Last Five Opponents: 125-4-1 (.965)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB/Ring Rated Foes: Jose Ramirez TKO by 6 

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Cristobal Cruz UD10; Terry Flanagan SD12

Vs.

Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Age: 22

Titles/Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’10   

Weight: 147 lbs.

Stance: Orthodox

Hails from: Dallas, Texas  

Record: 16-0, 16 KO

Press Rankings: #8 (ESPN), #9 (Boxing News), (#10 (TBRB) 

Last Five Opponents: 134-19-3 (.874)

Notable Outcomes, TBRB/Ring Rated Foes: Antonio Orozco KO6 

Additional Current/Former Titlists Faced: Juan Carlos Salgado KO3

The Pick: One could make a case for Orozco already being the step up for Ortiz but this one comes with a different type of experience. Hooker fell short but he was part of a highly contested unification showdown, won a belt on the road, and is in a must-win position. It makes for a real challenge. 

Hooker is only a little taller than Ortiz but possesses longer arms with a reach advantage on paper of several inches. Hooker doesn’t impose physically but he’s good at keeping distance and whipping in awkward, stinging shots from the outside. If he can force Ortiz to reset constantly, he can score points and keep away from the contact Ortiz will seek.

The problem for Hooker will be the physicality of Ortiz. The younger man carries heavier hands with each blow, has a hard jab, and whacks the body with authority. Ortiz isn’t the quickest welterweight in the world but his combination punching fundamentals and consistent pressure are a heavy task. Ultimately, it should be too heavy for Hooker. The pick is Ortiz by stoppage sometime around the middle third of the scheduled twelve rounds. 

Additional Weekend Picks

Artur Beterbiev KO Adam Deines

Lawrence Okolie Dec Krzysztof Glowacki

Rold Picks 2021: 11-2

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com