Maurice Hooker is enjoying time with his loved ones, but is eager to get back to work with his boxing family.

The ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues to carry global impact, with many people isolated in their place of residence whether by government order or just out of sheer health safety. For Hooker (27-1-3, 18KOs), that means remaining confined to his Dallas home with his family though doing his best to remain in shape for his next fight.

“Things are going pretty good here, a little slow but pretty good,” Hooker stated during an interview through promoter Eddie Hearn’s Instagram Live feed on Monday. “Every day I’m with my kids, training and just staying focused.”

Hooker was due to return to the ring on April 17, in a hotly anticipated showdown versus New Orleans’ Regis Prograis in a battle of former 140-pound titlists. Their bout was postponed along with every other sporting event scheduled from mid-March through late April, although with the promise that he will be among the first to return to the ring once action resumes.

That means a return to training camp, his second with top-rated trainer Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre. The two officially joined forces shortly after his 13-month title reign came a close, suffering his first career defeat via 6th round stoppage to Jose Ramirez in their title unification clash last July. Hooker returned to the win column in his first fight under McIntyre, scoring a 1st round knockout of Uriel Perez last December.

In preparing for the fight, Hooker joined a talented stable which includes unbeaten three-division champ and pound-for-pound entrant Terence Crawford, reigning 130-pound titlist Jamel Herring and undefeated lightweight prospect Steve Nelson, among others. The move was a no-brainer for the 30-year old Dallas native, given past experience.

“When I went to fight Terry Flanagan for the (140-pound title), Terence Crawford and I, we shared training camps together,” Hooker recalled, capturing his title in Manchester, England, hours before Crawford stopped Jeff Horn in nine rounds to claim a welterweight strap. “When he fought in Dallas (versus Thomas Dulorme in April 2015), we sparred together and we’ve just been close ever since. Those guys always stay in touch with me.”

The opportunity to train with Crawford alone has proven to be an invaluable experience as he prepares for a second title run.

“Terence Crawford is one of the best, he’s very smart in the ring,” notes Hooker. “He punishes everyone. If I come to camp and I’m not in shape, he’s gonna punish me. But I’m already staying in shape. This is gonna be a good camp. 

“I'm just gonna stay focused, stay in the gym (at home). I still want this fight and I'm ready. I'm ready for whenever it happens.”

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox