Under normal circumstances, tonight would have been the night Maurice Hooker would have been walking to the ring at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland to square off against Regis Prograis in a clash of once-beaten fighters.

Then again, these times are anything but ordinary as the intriguing clash between the former world titleholders was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has halted boxing and life in general. The postponement was a disappointment for Hooker, as well as for Prograis and boxing fans, but the safety and well-being currently outweighs live action with thousands of fans in attendance.

In the meantime, Hooker continues to modestly train, waiting for that phone call that will allow him to begin a full camp with his eyes set on Prograis and against any of the top fighters at 140 pounds, including Jose Ramirez and Josh Taylor.

Hooker lost his WBO junior welterweight title on July 27 to Ramirez, who put his WBC on the line, in a unification fight in Arlington, Texas, not far from his hometown of Dallas. Since then, he hired trainer Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, who also trains WBO welterweight titleholder Terence Crawford and WBO junior lightweight titleholder Jamel Herring.

The 30-year-old returned to the ring on December 20, stopping late-sub Uriel Perez in the opening round of a stay-busy fight in Phoenix, Arizona.

Hooker may be disappointed about the postponement of the fight, but does see a silver lining.

“I was looking forward to fighting Regis,” Hooker told BoxingScene over the phone on Tuesday. “I was disappointed. I didn’t understand why I was considered the underdog in the fight when I’m still one of the best fighters at 140 pounds in the world. If you look at records, I have faced the better opponents than he has. I know I’m better than him.”

“If there’s anything, I have more time to work on myself and get better. I can work on stuff that needs to get worked on. It would be better for me and worse for Regis.”

Hooker claims he has benefitted from McIntyre, including training alongside Crawford and Herring in Omaha, Nebraska, where Crawford resides and in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“I have gained a lot more confidence training with ‘Bomac,’” said Hooker, who is promoted by Roc Nation. “He’s really smart. He studies a lot of boxing. He’s helped me with my defense and boxing more. He’s taught me when to come forward and utilizing head movement. I’m really grateful with all the time training and running with Terence and Jamel.”

Hooker weighed in at 144.2 pounds for the Perez fight, prompting speculation whether he would remain as a junior welterweight or move up in weight and compete at 147 pounds. He weighed 139.5 pounds for the Ramirez fight.

After contemplating the move up to welterweight, Hooker decided to remain at 140 pounds and fight again for a world title belt.

“I want to win back my title and then move up in weight. At the same time, I don’t want to kill myself just to try and make weight. We’re going to take the it one fight at a time, but I do want to remain at 140 pounds for now.”

In terms of when a fight with Prograis will take place, Hooker stated he was told a date of late June or July is penciled. That all depends on when health officials will allow state commissions to sanction fight cards, which will likely take place with no fans in attendance.

Hooker is confident he can defeat Prograis and land a fight against Ramirez or Taylor, who owns the IBF and WBA world title belts. With McIntyre in his corner, Hooker believes he can make noise at 147 pounds as well.

“I feel a lot more stronger and confident now and I’m ready for any fight. Ramirez caught me and I’m not making any excuses from that fight. I made it a tough fight against Ramirez. I lost to him and I believe Ramirez is a better fighter than Taylor, who beat Regis.”

“I have a great team and they’re behind me 100 percent, including Terence, Jamel, and (unbeaten super middleweight) Steven Nelson. I’m staying focused and my eyes are on the prize. My goal is win another world title at 140 pounds before moving up to 147. I know I can do it.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing