The Texas derby at the head of affairs on the latest DAZN show proved to be a thriller, as Vergil Ortiz Jr came through his toughest test to date to stop Maurice Hooker in seven rounds at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas.
Ortiz Jr (17-0, 17 KOs) claimed the vacant WBO International Welterweight title as a result of his impressive win over former 140lbs champion, Hooker (27-2-3, 18 KOs).
The 22-year-old came into the contest having scored 15 knockouts from as many fights, while Hooker was in just his second fight at Welterweight, having lost his WBO Super Lightweight title to Ortiz’s stablemate, Jose Ramirez.
Both men exchanged punches from the opening bell, and Ortiz Jr was keen to check Hooker’s chin as soon as he possibly could, with several flush shots landing in the first round.
‘Mighty Mo’ was taking his rival’s power punches impressively, and standing up to them while using his long levers to establish his own good work to head and body.
The 31-year-old was working well with decent combination work that reddened his opponent’s face, while Ortiz Jr was throwing every shot he had with bad intentions.
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A straight right hand landed from Hooker in the fourth that wobbled Ortiz Jr momentarily, but the undefeated contender quickly went back to work.
The crowd were loving what they were seeing, and Ortiz Jr was turning the screw, with the fifth seeing a body shot right near the end of the frame seemingly winding Hooker, as he gasped for air.
It was to prove the beginning of the end, as in the final minute of the sixth, Ortiz Jr landed a volley of body shots that hurt Hooker, and follow-up blows to the head dropped him heavily.
THE FUTURE HAS ARRIVED. ✨ pic.twitter.com/tKa7ia0ZBY
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 21, 2021
He bravely made the count, and the bell came to his rescue, but it wasn’t long before Ortiz Jr closed the show.
The Dallas native went straight for his man at the beginning of round seven, and a massive overhand right forced Hooker to turn and fall to his knee, where it looked as though he had broken his hand in the process.
Ortiz Jr, who is the number two ranked contender with the WBO called for the champion and Hooker’s stablemate Terence Crawford, who was watching from ringside.
“I’M LOOKING AT YOU BUD!”@VergilOrtiz would LOVE a fight against @TerenceCrawford next 🍿 pic.twitter.com/TSE41vozYm
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 21, 2021
“I did think I was going to have to go the distance at one point, as the head shots weren’t having an effect”, said Ortiz jr post-fight.
“This win gives me more confidence, and I’m ready for a world title shot. Whoever is willing to give me that opportunity, I’m ready. I respect every fighter that steps into the ring. I do all of my talking in the ring.
“I would love an opportunity [at Crawford]. He’s the number one man pound-for-pound. I don’t care if I’m ready or not, I want that fight.”
Estrada claims WBA crown
There was world title action heading the undercard, where Seneisa Estrada became the new WBA Minimumweight champion with a wide points win over the long-serving former champion, Anabel Ortiz (31-4, 4 KOs).
Estrada (20-0, 8 KOs) scored a knockdown in the very first round, and she dominated the remainder of the contest to seal victory by two scores of 100-89 and a third at 99-90.
ESTRADA DROPS ORITZ 💥 pic.twitter.com/NLNawCglw6
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 21, 2021
Alex Martin (16-3, 6 KOs) scored an upset at Super Lightweight, where he took the WBC Continental Americas belt, and the undefeated record of Luis Alberto Hernandez Ramos (21-1, 19 KOs) with a unanimous win on the cards after ten rounds.
There were two further matches in the 140 pound division. Marcelino Nicolas Lopez (37-2-1, 22 KOs) took out Jairo Lopez (27-12, 18 KOs) in five rounds, while George Rincon (11-0, 7 KOs) dominated his eight rounder with Luis Solis (25-12-4, 21 KOs), taking two verdicts of 80-71, and a third at 79-72.
THEY ARE THROWING. pic.twitter.com/UX6IBoup2a
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) March 21, 2021
Hector Valdez (14-0, 8 KOs) took an eight round decision win at Super Bantamweight against Alberto Torres (11-4-3, 4 KOs), and at Cruiserweight, Tristan Kalkreuth (8-0, 6 KOs) knocked out Dustin Long (4-2-2, 4 KOs) inside a round.
