This fight for Maurice Hooker was simply about returning to the win column.

His expectations for the next time are about returning to the title picture.

The former 140-pound titlist from Dallas, Texas rebounded from his first career defeat, tearing through late replacement Uriel Perez in one round Friday evening live on DAZN from Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The fight was his first since losing his title to Jose Ramirez in their spirited junior welterweight unification clash this past July in nearby Arlington.

Friday also saw Hooker (27-1-3, 18KOs) work new trainer Brian ‘Bomac’ McIntyre, in a fight where he came in just north of 144 pounds. There was earlier talk of his possibly moving up all the way to welterweight, but his post-fight reaction was a clear indicator of their remaining far too much unfinished business to consider soch a move.

“I just want my belt back,” Hooker said repeatedly through his post-fight interview. “Where I'm from I can't go out like that. I want my belt back."

His old belt remains in the possession of Ramirez, who next defends his unified titles versus former titleholder Viktor Postol next February in Haikou, China. The division’s other major hardware owner is unified titlist Josh Taylor.

Either one will do for Hooker’s next outing.

"I feel good," Hooker said after his first win since a 12 round decision over Mikkel LesPierre in March. "I just want my belt back. I'll do whatever I can to get my belt back.

“Josh Taylor, whoever it is, I want my belt back at 140. The weight didn't matter to me. I got a new team, we trained hard, and I'm ready. Tonight I couldn't show you too much, but next fight I will. I got in my rhythm and hit my shots."

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