By Terence Dooley

With all the furore surrounding Tyson Fury’s return to the ring on Saturday night it is easy to forget that the show’s official headlining act at the Manchester Arena is the vacant WBO light-welterweight title fight between former WBO lightweight holder Terry Flanagan (33-0, 13 KOs) and America’s Maurice Hooker (23-0-3, 16 early). 

The two boxers have traded barbs over social media but finally got to meet face-to-face today at the final press conference for the Frank Warren-promoted event, which will be shown live on BT Sport in the UK and on Showtime’s Facebook stream in the US.

Both men are undefeated, and while there has been no love lost thus far there was plenty of respect on show between the two promotional camps as Warren welcomed Team Hooker to the UK. 

“It’s an honour to be here working with Frank and the whole promotion,” responded Dino Duva, who represents the visiting fighter.

“I’m especially honoured to be here with the Maurice Hooker team.  They have a mission.  We all have great respect for Terry, but I am so confident that Maurice is going to bring the title back.  On paper, Terry Flanagan against Maurice Hooker is a fifty-fifty fight.”

“Terry Flanagan is a credit to the sport and the city of Manchester,” added Vincent Parra, Hooker’s trainer.  “Maurice is a massive 140 pounder.  Flanagan was a champion at lightweight.  I’ve watched him for some time and Hooker has a very bad style for Terry.”

“We think Maurice is a good fighter, but they need to go back to their hotel room and tell him what he’s in for against Terry,” responded Steve Maylett, the Manchester-based boxer’s trainer.

“I love being an underdog,” said Hooker, 28, when it was his turn to talk.  “I’ve been an underdog my whole life and look where I am now.  We’re going to put on a big show.  I’m going to punch him in the mouth and if he doesn’t hit me back then he’s in trouble.  On Saturday, I’m going to show the world who I am.  I might knock him out in the first round.  The best man is going to win on the night.”

“I’m more than ready,” replied Flanagan, who is also 28, before adding that the move up in weight will not be a problem.  “I’ve had a great camp.  I’m stronger and fitter at the new weight.  I know what Hooker is going to bring and I’m prepared for it.  It’s a five pound weight difference.  It’s nothing.  I could move up again if I wanted to.”

Please send news and views to @Terryboxing.