In probably the most interesting matchup of the weekend, former world champion Maurice “Mo” Hooker (27-2-3, 18 KOs) is a 2:1 favorite against Blair “The Flair” Cobbs (15-1-1, 10 KOs) in a scheduled ten round welterweight clash on DAZN Saturday from Fort Worth, Texas.
Hooker is coming off a KO loss to Vergil Ortiz Jr. 16 months ago. “I’m ready to show the world I’m still a warrior,” said Hooker. “I’m ready to give them a fight they will always remember.”
Cobbs is making a relatively quick comeback after suffering his first loss via brutal KO against Alexis Rocha in March. The normally talkative Cobbs stated “Blair the Flair is saying absolutely nothing. See you August 6.”
The headliners in this weekend’s TV fights are all double-digit favorites.
Unbeaten welterweight Vergil Ortiz Jr. (18-0, 18 KOs) is as much as a 20:1 favorite against Michael McKinson (22-0, 2 KOs) in the Hooker-Cobbs main event.
Unbeaten super welterweight Dalton Smith (11-0, 9 KOs) is 30:1 against Sam O’maison (17-3-1, 7 KOs) earlier in the day on DAZN from Sheffield, England.
Olympian featherweight Michael Conlan (16-1, 8 KOs) is a 12:1 favorite against Miguel Marriaga (30-5, 28 KOs) on ESPN+ from Belfast, Northern Ireland.
I was gonna bet Hooker as a dog or even money but I think this is kind of steep. Both guys coming off knockout losses. Hard to gage the effect it will have on Cobb. We know Hooker will go down swinging but his chin might not be the same after getting KOed in 2 of his last 3, albeit against excellent competition. Tough one to call.
I know he has a big mouth but I like Cobb. That kayo by Rocha was particularly brutal. He should have zigged, instead he zagged.
Good fight for Hooker to take. He has an opportunity to fight a guy who has a following and is beatable. At the stage he is at opportunities like this may not come along again. On the other side…I think Cobbs should have taken an easier path. He is young in the game and only has the one loss. Even if he does win then he is forced to step up again. I am surprised they are not feeding him softer touches for a couple of fights before stepping up again. Maybe they know something we do not.
I thought the same thing Pete, but what I didn’t realize was that Cobbs is 32 years old. He doesn’t have time on his side in terms of building himself back up.
That is a good point Lucie. It is a hard one to call. On one hand I could see Hooker totally outclassing him but there is a scenario where Cobbs could be too strong. A bit like when Gatti fought Leija years ago. I know the styles are different but in terms of a stronger guy simply over powering an opponent…maybe? It very well maybe to most intriguing match of the weekend. Overall though I am leaning on Hooker outclassing him.
I’m leaning towards Hooker too, but I may be biased now having just watched Cobbs fight against Rocha. He just looks SO wide open.
Cobbs to me seems like the guy that gets a bit of a following as he is charismatic and thus he gets a spot on these cards. Cobbs is on a smaller scale but Christie Martin had a spot on Mike Tyson cards like that. (although she is in the Hall of fame). Butterbean might be a better example as he was a fixture on some PPV undercards for awhile. I know he is 32 but I am still surprised at this match as he could be a fixture for at least a couple of more cards. He seems easy too hit from my view as well. I am thinking a man of Hooker’s pedigree will exploit that. I hope Conlan comes out ok. His match concerns me a little.
Wooooooooooooooo!!!!
I respect Blair and Maurice. That’s a pretty even match up. It’s a 50/50 fight. It will be the length, experience and technique of Hooker vs the gritty, unorthodox, nuts and guts style of Cobb.
It should be a helluva fight for as long as it lasts. Can go either way. It’s going to come down to who wants it more.
Nice match up!
Cobb vs Thurman or Conor Benn would be interesting too!
Man, Conlan is a 12:1 favorite? That might be the one to throw a couple Hundie on.