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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 13: Oscar De La Hoya speaking to the media during the CANELO VS. ROCKY Final Press Conference at Madison Square Garden Dcember 13, 2018 in New York City . (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
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NEW YORK, NY – DECEMBER 13: Oscar De La Hoya speaking to the media during the CANELO VS. ROCKY Final Press Conference at Madison Square Garden Dcember 13, 2018 in New York City . (Photo by Bill Tompkins/Getty Images)
Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, has made a surprising admission ahead of his fight. The famous promoter admitted that Ortiz Jr.’s next opponent, Maurice Hooker, can frustrate the highly rated welterweight. He even explained why.
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 12: Vergil Ortiz Jr. of the United States participates in media workouts at Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Vergil Ortiz Jr. will confront Maurice Hooker as the main event of a stacked card on Saturday. The undefeated welterweight will face his first major test against ‘Mighty Mo’. And his promoter has revealed why Hooker will make it difficult for his pugilist.
De La Hoya spoke to Fight Hub TV ahead of the fight and said, “You know, I think it’s going to be a long fight. I think it’s going to… It might be a little frustrating for Ortiz in the beginning. Just because Maurice Hooker has a unique style. He’s very elusive, he’s fast, he can think, he has a lot of experience.”
Hooker is a former champion at 140 lbs and has shown his skill against some of the best. Therefore, De La Hoya is right in saying he will cause problems.
Hence, Ortiz Jr. will have to prove his worth with a victory over Hooker. However, this makes it the perfect challenge for the undefeated boxer.
READ: Vergil Ortiz Jr. Relationship Status: Who Is He Dating?
Oscar De La Hoya gives his prediction for the fight
The promoter made no secret of his excitement for this fight and also gave his prediction for the bout. De La Hoya said, “I strongly feel that this fight can go past seven, eight, nine rounds. But I can see Vergil stopping him or knocking him out.”
He then referenced Ortiz Jr.’s power and corner and said it could be the decisive factor for the fight.
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GRAND PRAIRIE, TX – AUGUST 10: Vergil Ortiz Jr. celebrates his victory vs. Antonio Orozco at The Theatre at Grand Prairie on August 10, 2019 in Grand Prairie, Texas. (Photo By Tom Hogan/Golden Boy/Getty Images)
This showed De La Hoya’s confidence in his fighter. Although he admitted Ortiz Jr. would have to dig deep to beat a former world champion, he backed the highly rated welterweight to make a statement and claim his seventeenth KO.
What do you think of these comments from Oscar De La Hoya? Do you agree that Maurice Hooker will frustrate Ortiz Jr?
READ: Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Maurice Hooker- Fight Analysis and Prediction