Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, USA. In the welterweight limit (up to 66.7 kg), local fighters fought: the former world champion in the division below Maurice Hooker (27-3-3, 18 KOs) lost without options to the talkative ex-prospect
Blair Cobbs (16-1-1, 10 KOs).
Before the fight, Hooker cheated so solidly — did not fit into the weight limit – hung at 68 kg. But Cobbs was not embarrassed, he agreed to speak anyway. And in the corner of the ex-champion were top coach Brian McIntyre and one of the best acting boxers in the world. Terence Crawford.
Hooker occupied the center of the ring, forcing Cobbs to wind circles around the perimeter of the ring, hit the body well several times, but unexpectedly flew into a knockdown – he missed an uppercut and an overhand in the exchange.
Blair Cobbs comes out swinging #OrtizMcKinson pic.twitter.com/CkcHEL5Bh8
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 7, 2022
In the 2nd round, Hooker hit the floor twice more. It smelled like a sensation.
THREE KNOCKDOWNS IN TWO ROUNDS FOR BLAIR COBBS pic.twitter.com/HYoOzDIVx6
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 7, 2022
The ex-champion had a good 3rd and 4th three-minutes, regaining confidence in his strength. But he too often threw out just an unaccented “lazy” jab, which Cobbs counterattacked sharply and aggressively in moments (primarily with a right overhand). Virtually every blow he hit resulted in Hooker’s legs visibly giving way.
In the 6th round, the underdog began to act more aggressively, but then the fighters collided heads – Cobbs received a cut near his left eye. The fight continued, and Hooker seized the initiative, as the opponent almost stopped. In the 7th round, Cobbs again soloed, launched a sweeping right hook at the last second. It is almost impossible for the ex-champion to win on points.
In the 8th round, the fighters again clashed heads. Cobbs turned on the bike, a disgruntled Hooker invited him to arrange a mahach in the center of the ring. The ex-champion did not manage to portray something similar to a decisive assault until the final gong. Terrible performance.
The score of the judges: 97-90, 97-90 and 96-91 in favor of the underdog.
Cobbs UD 10.