Regis Prograis and Maurice Hooker both lost their 140-pound belts in fantastic battles in 2019, the kinds of losses that raised their profiles if anything, and now the rumored idea for a fight between the two in April is “getting serious,” according to Hooker promoter Dino Duva.
Hooker (27-1-3, 18 KO) dropped the WBO title in a unification fight in a fantastic fight against Jose Ramirez last July, then returned in December for an easy catchweight win over Uriel Perez. Hooker had flirted with the idea of making the move up to 147, but said after that win that the idea was to stay at 140 if he could get a big fight there.
Considering Ramirez is tied up with WBC mandatory Viktor Postol and WBA/IBF titleholder Josh Taylor seems likely to get tied up in some sort of litigation, the pickings are a little slim at junior welterweight, but Prograis — who dropped the WBA belt to Taylor in October, another excellent fight — is as big as remains, and vice versa for Prograis with Hooker.
Matchroom have reportedly offered terms for an April 11 or April 25 fight between the two, with the fight airing on DAZN if it happens.
Last edited by Ruthless-RKO on 16 Mar 2020, 05:02, edited 6 times in total.
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑24 Jan 2020, 13:20
Regis Prograis and Maurice Hooker both lost their 140-pound belts in fantastic battles in 2019, the kinds of losses that raised their profiles if anything, and now the rumored idea for a fight between the two in April is “getting serious,” according to Hooker promoter Dino Duva.
Hooker (27-1-3, 18 KO) dropped the WBO title in a unification fight in a fantastic fight against Jose Ramirez last July, then returned in December for an easy catchweight win over Uriel Perez. Hooker had flirted with the idea of making the move up to 147, but said after that win that the idea was to stay at 140 if he could get a big fight there.
Considering Ramirez is tied up with WBC mandatory Viktor Postol and WBA/IBF titleholder Josh Taylor seems likely to get tied up in some sort of litigation, the pickings are a little slim at junior welterweight, but Prograis — who dropped the WBA belt to Taylor in October, another excellent fight — is as big as remains, and vice versa for Prograis with Hooker.
Matchroom have reportedly offered terms for an April 11 or April 25 fight between the two, with the fight airing on DAZN if it happens.
Read earlier that Ramirez Postol has been postponed again due to all that coronavirus carry on...
Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑24 Jan 2020, 13:20
Regis Prograis and Maurice Hooker both lost their 140-pound belts in fantastic battles in 2019, the kinds of losses that raised their profiles if anything, and now the rumored idea for a fight between the two in April is “getting serious,” according to Hooker promoter Dino Duva.
Hooker (27-1-3, 18 KO) dropped the WBO title in a unification fight in a fantastic fight against Jose Ramirez last July, then returned in December for an easy catchweight win over Uriel Perez. Hooker had flirted with the idea of making the move up to 147, but said after that win that the idea was to stay at 140 if he could get a big fight there.
Considering Ramirez is tied up with WBC mandatory Viktor Postol and WBA/IBF titleholder Josh Taylor seems likely to get tied up in some sort of litigation, the pickings are a little slim at junior welterweight, but Prograis — who dropped the WBA belt to Taylor in October, another excellent fight — is as big as remains, and vice versa for Prograis with Hooker.
Matchroom have reportedly offered terms for an April 11 or April 25 fight between the two, with the fight airing on DAZN if it happens.
Read earlier that Ramirez Postol has been postponed again due to all that coronavirus carry on...
I am surprised Hookers team agreed with this, especially after tough loss from Ramirez. He is going to take some savage beating from Prograis in this one
Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn told ESPN on Wednesday that he hopes to bring a major DAZN show – April 11 or April 25 – to the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York. He said he'd like to have it headlined by a fight between former junior welterweight titlists Maurice Hooker and Regis Prograis, which is being negotiated but not close to finalized. Even without that bout, he said two other fights he has deals for would be on the card: undisputed women's lightweight champion Katie Taylor against Amanda Serrano and a vacant lightweight world title bout between Luke Campbell and Javier Fortuna.
Boxing Scene has learned that plans have been finalized for an intriguing April 17 card, to air live on DAZN from MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Topping the bill, Regis Prograis and Maurice Hooker collide in a battle of junior welterweights who both saw their respective title reigns and unbeaten records dissolve in the past year. Terms have been reached for their long-discussed bout, according to parties with direct knowledge of prior negotiations.
Paired up with the pick-‘em main event will be a vacant lightweight title clash between England’s Luke Campbell and Dominican Republic’s Javier Fortuna. As previously reported by BS.com, the two sides have long ago reached terms for their title fight, which remained in search of a home until late last week.
Regis Prograis and Maurice Hooker will clash on a blockbuster night of action at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland on Friday April 17, live on DAZN.
Both men come into the bout on the back of starring roles in two of 2019’s fight of the year contenders. Prograis (24-1 20 KOs) travelled to London in October to take on Josh Taylor in a unification clash and the final of the World Boxing Super Series, with Scotsman Taylor edging out ‘Rougarou’ via Majority Decision in an all-out war.
In July, Hooker (27-1-3 18 KOs) hosted José Ramírez in a unification bout in Dallas, and the pair served up a back-and-forth shootout that Ramirez won via stoppage in the sixth round of a breathless contest.
Now the pair collide at a 143lbs catchweight in a fight that will lead the victor to World title action while the loser will face to tough route back to the summit – and both men know that this is a make-or-break night at a pivotal time in their respective careers.
“I can't wait to get back in the ring on April 17 and prove that I'm one of the best fighters in the world,” said Prograis. “Maurice Hooker is a former World champion with a good skill set, but I'm very confident that I will be victorious and begin my march towards becoming a two-time World champion this year. We have a history of bad blood and this is a fight that I’ve wanted for a long time. I’m excited for this fight and I’m glad I’m going right back into a fight with a good competitor.
“I'm very grateful to my team for putting this fight together and to my fans all over the world, thanks very much for your continued support.”
“Regis Prograis came out of the World Boxing Super Series one of the most popular and respected fighters in boxing,” said Prograis’ promoter Lou DiBella. “This fight against Maurice Hooker is not only one of the most anticipated in boxing but also one of the very best that can be made this year.
“Regis is committed to becoming a two-time world champion and a victory on April 17 will put him on a path to proving once again that he's one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.”
“I’m excited to face a former World Champion,” said Hooker. “In my mind, he is still one of the best out there at 140lbs which, when I beat him, gives me a chance to show the world I’m also one of the best at this weight. You can bet this fight will get me closer to winning another belt. It’s going to be an exciting match and I’m ready to take him out.”
“Mighty Mo Hooker vs Regis Prograis is what big-time boxing is all about - two former World champions at the top of their game, looking to make a statement and show the boxing world that they're back with a vengeance,” said Roc Nation Sports boxing promoter Dino Duva. “Mighty Mo has given me a directive to get him the biggest and best fights and wants to remind everyone that he is one of the best and most exciting fighters in the world. This bout is an unbelievable matchup on paper and will be a can't miss fight of the year candidate. It’s as good as it gets, and boxing fans should not make any other plans on April 17 - this is a can't miss fight. On behalf of Roc Nation Sports, I salute and thank our good friends and partners at DAZN and Matchroom Boxing USA for making this great fight happen and giving the fans such a special treat.”
“This is a fantastic match-up between two fighters that always deliver great fights,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Regis and Maurice more than played their parts in two epic fights last year, and I know that their styles are going to gel to create another all-action battle.
“We will announce a huge undercard with World title action and a host of big names in action soon, it’s going to be another epic night of action live on DAZN.”
