Maurice Hooker to join World Boxing Super Series after title win

Maurice Hooker marched into hostile territory this past Saturday win the WBO super lightweight title at Terry Flanagan’s expense. The Ring reports that, rather than rest on his laurels, “Mighty Mo” has agreed to join the World Boxing Super Series 140-pound tournament, becoming the third world titlist to do so.

The current field:

Ivan Baranchyk
Anthony Yigit
Regis Prograis
Ryan Martin
Kiryl Relikh
Eduard Troyanovsky
Maurice Hooker

Josh Taylor is reportedly in consideration should he defeat Viktor Postol a week from this upcoming Saturday.

Hooker (24-0-3, 16 KO) was lucky to escape with a draw against Darleys Perez in 2016, but took a deserved split decision over Flanagan to earn one of the belts formerly held by Terence Crawford. Outside of Prograis and Taylor, the clear favorites, Hooker fits right in with the rest of the field and could make for some compelling, competitive matchups.

Hooker, Taylor, Prograis, and Martin are the only four without an opening round opponent, as Baranchyk will face Yigit and Relikh will face Troyanovsky. Any recommendations for how to put these four together?