Maurice Hooker vs Jose Ramirez Odds & Pick
- Undefeated duo put junior-welterweight titles on line
- Clash of styles promises close and tough fight
- Dallas boxer has hometown advantage in nearby Arlington, Texas
Undefeated junior welterweights Maurice Hooker and Jose Carlos Ramirez put their titles on the line in Texas on Saturday, July 27th (DAZN TV, 8:00 PM ET) in a unification bout.
California’s Ramirez is the WBC champion. He is the -135 favorite with sportsbooks in a close match-up. Dallas-based Hooker holds the WBO belt. He is rated as a +105 underdog as of Tuesday morning.
Hooker vs Ramirez Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Maurice Hooker | +105 |
| Jose Carlos Ramirez | -135 |
(Odds taken at 2019/07/ 23.)
The fight at the College Park Center in Arlington has been welcomed by the boxing fraternity as a rare collision of two undefeated title-holders. Both fighters believe they can take a huge step towards uniting the division’s four main titles.
? “This is the fight that makes me a big name. Everyone will know who Maurice Hooker is after this." – @mightymohooker#AllOrNothing #HookerRamirez @DAZN_USA @SkySports
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) July 22, 2019
“These are the fights that boxing needs and the boxers’ styles will gel into a real fight of the year contender,” said the contest’s English promoter, Eddie Hearn.
Hooker vs Ramirez Promises Contrasting Styles
Saturday’s welterweight unification fight promises to be an interesting clash of styles with the rangy Hooker standing 5’11 and possessing a long reach advantage which allows him to box well on the outside.
Ramirez is an inch shorter and is more of a close-range brawler, a body puncher who will put his opponent under severe pressure.
The 29-year-old Hooker has won 26 fights, including 17 knockouts as a testament to his power. But he also has three draws on his record.
Ramirez, who is 26, has 24 straight wins with 16 knockouts.
Hooker vs Ramirez Tale of the Tape
| 26 | Wins | 24 |
| 0 | Losses | 0 |
| 3 | Draws | 0 |
| 5′ 11″ | Height | 5’10”″ |
| 80” | Reach | 72″ |
| 17 | KOs | 16 |
Ramirez is rated #3 at junior welterweight in The Ring magazine’s independent ratings for the division. Hooker is #4. Ramirez is also #3 with ESPN, with Hooker again one spot behind.
Former Olympian Ramirez won the WBC belt with a unanimous decision against Amir Imam at Madison Garden in March last year. He has since made two successful defences.
Jose Ramirez working at the RGBA… #BOXING pic.twitter.com/t1hDFHz4L5
— Steve Kim (@StevESPNKim) July 12, 2019
Successful Defence in California
He scored a unanimous-decision win against Mexican Anthony Orozco in Fresno, California, last September.That was followed by a majority decision victory against fellow American Jose Zepeda last February, also in Fresno.
Hooker claimed the vacant WBO belt with an impressive win against former lightweight world champion Terry Flanagan – who was unbeaten – in the Englishman’s home city of Manchester in June last year.
The first defense saw Hooker knock out the formerly undefeated Alex Saucedo in the seventh round in Oklahoma in November. He climbed off the canvas in the second round before going on to triumph.
He then recorded a unanimous-decision win against Mikkel LesPierre in Verona, New York, last March.
This time it is Hooker who will enjoy the home-town advantage. Ramirez will be making his first defense outside of his native state.
Won my first strap 4 years ago today in Dallas. Can’t wait to go to work again in my hometown on July 27th. #hookerramirez pic.twitter.com/xQTbkNDFZb
— Maurice Hooker (@mightymohooker) June 27, 2019
However, Ramirez is slightly favoured by the fight game’s analysts because it is believed his work inside will drain Hooker in what is likely to be a gruelling 12-round contest.
The alternative potential scenario is a knock-out by the stronger and harder-hitting Hooker. This is the value bet.
Pick: Hooker +105
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
