Maurice Hooker to return on March 9

Badlefthook.com

WBO junior welterweight titleholder Maurice Hooker will defend his title on March 9 as part of the Bivol-Smith undercard, according to ESPN.

Hooker (25-0-3, 17 KO) broke out big in 2018, going to England in June to beat former lightweight titleholder Terry Flanagan by decision to win the then-vacant WBO belt. He defended successfully on Nov. 16 in Oklahoma City, stopping Alex Saucedo in the seventh round.

Hooker, 29, doesn’t have an opponent for his second defense, at least not yet, but given it’s a co-feature fight and many of the division’s best fighters are currently in the World Boxing Super Series, it’s probably best to have pretty low expectations here.

Dino Duva of Roc Nation Sports, who co-promote Hooker with Matchroom Boxing, says they hope to have an opponent set in the next couple of days.

The Bivol-Smith card is set to take place at an east coast location to be named, and will stream live on DAZN.