By Ryan Burton
#2 WBO rated super lightweight Maurice "Mighty Mo" Hooker (22-0-3) will be back in action Saturday night in his hometown of Dallas, Texas against fellow unbeaten prospect Courtney Jackson (17-0).
Both boxers weighed in at 140-pounds.
The Roc Nation promoted fighter was originally slated to appear on a different card but when his opponent fell out, his manager Arnie Verbeek put this fight together.
"Maurice gets to give a little back. This is a charity event for a cause very dear to him. It's The Links. Its the Mid Cities Links. It is an African American volunteer organization with 47,000 members in the United States. They are there to assist and promoter African-American culture and African culture. They have scholarships and different programs that especially help African American women. It is something that he likes to help with in his hometown. He was supposed to fight anyway and this is a nice classy event so we said why not put him on this event?" Said Verbeek.
Jackson isn't very well known but has a glossy unbeaten record and Hooker said that isn't taking him lightly. He expects his opponent to be in tip top shape and to be very motivated with the WBO NABO title and a potential high ranking on the line.
"I just know that he is undefeated and that he will be ready for this fight. I know he will be prepared and I will take it to him," said Hooker.
The 28-year-old Texan has had a few fights fall apart for various reasons and is happy just to be back in the ring.
"It has been frustrating but it happens for a reason. I have been staying in the gym and I am ready to fight," he explained.
Hooker developed a friendship with WBC/WBO super lightweight champion Terence Crawford when he served as one of his sparring partners in some of the champion's previous camps.
Crawford faces IBF/WBA super lightweight champion Julius Indongo in a rare four belt unification bout on the same night as Hooker's fight. Hooker expects his friend to come out of his fight with his hand raised in victory.
"I think that is a very good fight. I think Terence Crawford might stop him in the late rounds," Hooker stated.
As for his own fight, Hooker said that the fans in attendance can expect fireworks and that he plans on making a lasting impression.
"I am very excited to fight back at home in front of my fans so everybody can see me. This is where I won my belt and they can see me fight again. I am going to be very aggressive in there and I am not saying I am going to go 10 rounds. I am looking to make a statement," Hooker told BoxingScene.com.
The Undercard Promotions is proud to announce a top professional boxing event to be held August 19th at the Omni Hotel in Dallas.
"A Knock-Out Affair" Round XXV will showcase top professional talent in association with the Mid Cities (TX) Chapter of The Links to raise funds for community service projects and scholarships.
The Links Incorporated is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of extraordinary women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the culture and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African ancestry.
Please go to www.midcitieslinks.org or call 817.323.8755 to secure your tickets to this very special event.
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