Undefeated welterweight prospect Jalil “Major” Hackett is anxious to take his career to the next level. On Saturday night, July 13th, he will take a significant step up in competition when he faces Peter Dobson (16-1, 9 KOs) at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, airing live worldwide on DAZN.
(Credit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom)
The Hackett-Dobson bout is on the undercard of the Jaron “Boots” Ennis vs. David Avanesyan event. Hackett plans to make a statement against Dobson, and if he’s successful, he will pick up a quality win and the WBA Continental Americas title.
A product of Washington D.C., Jalil Hackett posted an amateur record of 140-19.
Hackett officially transitioned from the amateur to the professional ranks in March 2021 when he inked a deal with Mayweather Promotions.
Hackett had the fancy promotional banner attached to his name but only fought eight times in three years. The last time Jalil Hackett competed inside the squared circle, he faced Adrian Gutierrez in December 2023 as the co-feature bout for Boxfest 6.
As the first round was coming to a close, Hackett landed a big left hook that had Gutierrez stumbling back to his corner. Hackett knocked Gutierrez down in the third, and after Gutierrez got up, Hackett proceeded to land a flurry of shots that forced the referee to step in and halt the contest.
A few months later, Jalil Hackett made a vital career move when he decided to leave Mayweather Promotions and become a free agent. Hackett was active in 2023, but most of his bouts were fights he had to go out and get on his own.
Hackett was on the market for a short period of time before he decided to sign with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing. Now, the 21-year-old Jalil Hackett (8-0, 7 KOs) is ready to make his Matchroom debut in a step-up fight against a tough, seasoned veteran.
In September 2014, Peter Dobson made his pro debut and scored a unanimous decision victory over Mack Babb. The Bronx, New York native would go on to win his next fifteen fights.
On February 3, 2024, Peter Dobson stepped inside the ring to face welterweight contender Conor Benn. Dobson was very competitive, but Benn was too fast and too accurate, as the British welterweight posted the unanimous decision victory.
Now Peter “Pistol Pete” Dobson wants to play the role of spoiler by altering the trajectory of Jalil Hackett’s career. The young prospect, Jalil Hackett, believes he can knock Dobson out, but on the other side, Dobson’s goal is to dominate and force Jalil Hackett’s father/trainer to have no choice but to stop the fight.
After trading words during the press conference, the faceoff between Hackett and Dobson got very intense. As the fighters stood nose to nose, Jalil Hackett choked Peter Dobson, and Dobson responded by slapping Hackett in the face.
Peter Dobson realizes he was brought in to participate in the process but is prepared to take advantage of the opportunity. He believes that Eddie Hearn and Matchroom made a mistake when they selected him as Jalil Hackett’s next opponent.
It’s too early for him. In boxing you move up in competition, every boxer has to do it, like Sugar Ray Leonard. It may be his team chasing the money. I don’t know how they think he’s ready,” the 34-year-old Dobson stated.
While his opponent doesn’t think he’s ready, Jalil Hackett feels confident and believes everything will go according to plan. Despite Dobson’s incredible durability, Hackett thinks he can win the fight by knockout.
“He’s a jumped-up journeyman,” Hackett said. “I can guarantee this fight won’t go the distance. I’m overly anxious and overly excited. This is a knockout I’ve been preparing for my whole life.”
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