Recap: Jose Ramirez vs Maurice Hooker - FIGHT OF THE YEAR !!!
(image: Matchroom Boxing)
ARLINGTON, Texas. -- Both undefeated and in their prime, Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker and Jose Carlos Ramirez put all promotional and network differences aside to meet in the ring for a junior welterweight unification clash. After six rounds of back-and-forth phone-booth-style action, Ramirez pulled the upset against the hometown fighter via referee stoppage to become the new unified light welterweight champion.
Ramirez (25-0, 17 KOs) initiated the pressure immediately in the first round, launching at the Texas native and smothering him with sharp combinations. Hooker went to the canvas over Ramirez accidentally stepping on his foot, however, the referee ruled it a knockdown.
In the second round, both fighters seemed to focus on power jabs and body work, yet Ramirez seemed to set the pace once again cornering Hooker (26-1-3, 17 KOs) against the ropes for the remainder of the round. The third round brought on tremendous action as Hooker hurt Ramirez in the middle of the ring until the Mexican fighter put his back against the ropes once again and unleashed a series of powerful blows. Hooker reciprocated the heavy leather, making the crowd get on their feet in ecstasy over the toe-to-toe action. Though Ramirez would fall victim to Hooker’s reach, the Mexican warrior never shied away from taking one punch to land a combination of his own.
(image: Matchroom Boxing)
In the following rounds, Hooker evidently appeared more comfortable in rhythm, using his
superior reach as an advantage to land massive shots that would pop Ramirez’s head back like a bobble-head. In Ramirez’s corner, renowned trainer Robert Garcia instructed his fighter to lose all respect for the hometown fighter and remain smart in his delivery.
Following his trainer’s advice, Ramirez came out on the sixth round in relentless fashion,
walking down Hooker and making him pay for every shot missed. Ramirez landed a vicious left hook which pressed Hooker on the ropes once again, only this time, Ramirez followed with powerful combinations which caused Hooker’s neck to collapse and the referee stopped the fight before Hooker received more punishment.
(image: Matchroom Boxing)
Regis Prograis and Josh Taylor, who will have their unification of their junior welterweight belts in the final of the World Boxing Super Series tournament on Oct. 6, both expressed interest in fighting the winner of this bout, though some fans are already on social media pleading for a rematch of this Fight of the Year candidate.
In the co-feature, IBF Junior-Lightweight World Champion Tevin “American Idol” Farmer
made yet another successful defense defeating French southpaw Guillaume Frenois by
unanimous decision.
Farmer displayed excellent defense as he toyed around with Frenois and prevented him from landing anything of significance. Though the Philly southpaw was deducted a point in the 10th round over a low-blow, he came back more aggressively to score an even round.
After being announced “And Still,” the fans booed not in disapproval of the scorecard, but
perhaps over the lack of toe-to-toe action. "e ;I don’t care about the crowd,” Farmer said post-fight. “I came in the fight, I fought, get paid. I don’t care if the fans boo. They gonna love me or they’re gonna hate me."e;
Tramaine “The Mighty Midget” Williams came out victorious against Yenifel Vicente, ruining his 10-fight winning streak to move one step closer to a title shot bout.
Though Vicente made it a tough fight, Williams was always one step ahead landing the better of the exchanges. More common than exchanges, however, were the low-blows landed by two fighters. After several warnings, the referee finally took a point off Vicente in the sixth round.
After more exchanges and another point deducted from Vicente over low-blows, Williams was ahead on the scorecard 97-91, 97-91, and 96-92 becoming the new WBO NABO and USBA Super Bantam champion.
Author -
Liliana Ulloa - Xicana Boxing