Final words: Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Maurice Hooker prepare for March 20 showdown
Both are confident ahead of an exciting welterweight war which could see the winner challenge for a world title next.
Vergil Ortiz Jr - welterweight contender:
Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Maurice Hooker go toe-to-toe this weekend looking to climb the welterweight rankings (photo credit: Sye Williams/Golden Boy)
Maurice Hooker - former WBO junior welterweight champion:
Oscar De La Hoya, chairman and CEO of Golden Boy:
Oscar De La Hoya is hoping Vergil Ortiz Jr. can become world champion this year (photo credit: Sye Williams/Golden Boy)
"Everyone is saying that he is the next big thing in the welterweight division. And he is. But first he has to get past Maurice Hooker, and that is no easy test. This is a real fight and a tough test for him. If he beats him, then he is going straight to the top of the division, where are lots of big fights to make. I can't say who I want him to see next because this Saturday's fight is a big test."
Ortiz Jr. vs Hooker is a 12-round fight for the WBO International Welterweight Championship presented by Golden Boy. The event is sponsored by Hennessy "Never Stop. Never Settle" and "BetOnline - Your Online Sportsbook Experts."
The fight will take place on Saturday, March 20 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas and will be streamed live exclusively on DAZN worldwide, including the U.S. and Mexico.