“MIGHTY MO’” HOOKER IS THE MAIN EVENT AT PAULIE AYALAS BOXING AT THE BALLROOM

Photo Credit: Stacey Verbeek

On Friday night in Fort Worth, Texas, Dallas’s Junior Welterweight Maurice “Mighty Mo” Hooker (14-0-2, 10 KO’s) will be taking on Carlos Valenzuela (6-0-0, 3KO’s) from Sonora, Mexico. The fight is scheduled to go six rounds as the main event on a night that is benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Fort Worth.   The boxing event is brought back again this year by Fort Worth’s former world Champion Paulie Ayala. Paulie has always given back to the community where he is from and the Scott G. Sherman Boxing at the Ballroom charity event is just another example of the champion he is in and out of the ring.

He may be mild mannered outside the ring, a trait he is accustomed to with his fans, but Mighty Mo has power in both hands, especially the straight right hand. And it is with that right hand that he knocked out his last opponent in the first round. And speaking of knockouts, he has amassed nine out of ten of his knockouts within the first two rounds. Mighty Mo’s career is going at a pace unlike most fighters, as his career record shows. He fought five times in 2012, five more times in 2013 and this upcoming fight will be his fourth fight this year.

NTF caught up with Mighty Mo on Monday at the Maple Avenue Boxing Gym in Dallas, Texas where trains with Vincent Parra, a well known trainer in the boxing circles. According to Parra, he expects Mighty Mo to “fight his fight, be disciplined, keep the fight within his range, and set up the power punches.” Parra expects it to be an explosive fight and his fans can expect nothing less from Mighty Mo. When asked, Mighty Mo described his last knockout as “I started out with the jab, worked my opponent on the inside and ended it with a straight right hand.” As for his opponent, Valenzuela, an undefeated fighter as well, he smiled when I asked him if he knew anything about him. A fearless fighter, Mighty Mo takes on all challengers put before him and moves on to his next opponent. He said that on Friday night “I am going to show the fans that I can box and that I have power in both hands.” And when I started to ask him how long the fight would last, and just as fast as his punches are, he said “two rounds.” So expect it to be an explosive match when Mighty Mo enters the ring on Friday night.

The co-main event is none other than super middleweight Samuel “The Main Event” Clarkson   (10-3, 6KO’s), from DeSoto, Texas against William Johnson (10-37-2, 3KO) of Sardis, Mississippi in a scheduled six round match. If you want to see an action packed fight with heavy punches being landed, Clarkson will deliver them for the fans. He is looking to bounce back from a loss four months ago when he fought for the vacant NABF Junior Super Middleweight title on ESPN, so expect for a great show from the exciting Clarkson.

The remaining bouts will all be four action packed four rounders beginning with a match between welterweight Jonathan Steele (4-0, 3KO), another professional boxer from the Maple Avenue Boxing Gym against Jonathan O’Neal (1-1), from Longview, Texas. Look for an exciting match from the fighting Marine, Jonathan Steele from Dallas, Texas as he continues his march for a fifth consecutive win.

In a Super Middleweight fight, look for Jay Williams (3-1, 2KO) from West Monroe, Louisiana and Clarence Joseph (3-1, 1KO) from Oklahoma to leave it all in the ring as they battle to make this fight the fourth win on their records.

Look for lightweight DeAnthony Bonner (7-1, 2KO) from Denton, Texas to land some of the heaviest punches of the night against Clifton Thames (3-1-1) from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in what is expected to be a great action packed fight. Bonner never goes backward, so let’s see if Thames can match his intensity.

Also on the card is Ernest Delgadillo (1-0-1) from Dallas, Texas who takes on Jermichael Neal (1-3-1,1KO) from Longview, Texas as they both fight for their second win in their young boxing career.

In the only heavyweight fight of the night, expect to see some heavy punches from Ruann Visser (1-0, 1KO) from Houston, Texas as he takes on the heavy handed Eric Lindsey (3-13, 1KO) from Longview, Texas.

In her pro debut, Jasmine Clarkson from Cedar Hill, Texas will be taking on Raquel Vidal (1-2-1) from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Finally, as a special attraction, MMA fighters Peter Grimes (12-8) and Travonne Hobbs (2-2) will go against each other at the 145 pound weight limit.

Official Weights on Thursday:

Maurice Hooker  (142) vs Carlos Valenzuela (138.75)

Samuel Clarkson (165) vs Wiliam Johnson (165)

Johnathan Steele (146.25)  vs Jonathan O’Neal (145)

Jay Williams  (164) vs Clarence Joseph (166)

DeAnthony Bonner (128.5) vs Clifton Thames (128.25)

Ernesto Delgadillo (117.25) vs Jermichael Neal (117.25)

Ruann Visser (286) vs Eric Lindsey (204.75)

Jasmine Clarkson (123) vs Rachel Vidal (123.5)

Fight Location: Worthington Renaissance Hotel, 200 Main St, Fort Worth, TX 76102. (817) 870-1000

Fights Start: 7:00 p.m.

All tickets inside the ballroom are sold out, however $10 tickets will be available on fight night to watch a live feed streaming on a large screen on the outdoor terrace at the hotel. It will include pizza and a cash bar will be available.

Scott G Sherman Boxing at the Ballroom on Friday, August 22nd at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. This annual event is promoted by Paulie Ayala Productions, led by 2x World Champion Paulie Ayala, and is aptly named after Ayala’s late manager Scott Sherman. The proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth. Scott G Sherman Boxing at the Ballroom on Friday, August 22nd at the Renaissance Worthington Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. This annual event is promoted by Paulie Ayala Productions, led by 2x World Champion Paulie Ayala, and is aptly named after Ayala’s late manager Scott Sherman. The proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Fort Worth.