Hooker stops Saucedo to retain WBO super lightweight title

Maurice Hooker survived a knockdown on the way to a seventh-round technical knockout of previously unbeaten Alex Saucedo on Friday to retain his World Boxing Organization super-lightweight world title.

Saucedo, a Mexico-born American fighting in his adopted hometown of Oklahoma City, delighted his fans when he sent Hooker to the canvas with a heavy right hand in the second round.

But Hooker found his rhythm and took charge in an aggressive seventh.

He was credited with a knockdown when he sent Saucedo reeling into the ropes and when the fight resumed after a standing eight-count Hooker pummeled the challenger until the referee jumped in to call a halt at 1:36 of the round.

Saucedo suffered his first defeat in 29 fights.

Hooker improved to 25-0-3 with 17 knockouts as he made the first defense of the title he won on June 9 with a split decision victory over England’s Terry Flanagan in Manchester.