Hawkins and Engel continue their battle to retain the top spot
Maurice Hawkins has once again drawn level with Ari Engel in the all-time World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOP-C) ring race, both now tied with 19 titles apiece. This comes just weeks after Engel claimed the solo lead with his 19th ring — briefly distancing himself from Hawkins and Daniel Lowry, who also surged to 18 rings in a matter of days.
Hawkins’ latest win came at the WSOP-C stop at Horseshoe Tunica, where he triumphed in the $400 Monster Stack event. The tournament drew 571 entries, and Hawkins earned $34,711 for the victory after defeating Dylan Crawford heads-up. It’s another addition to an impressive live poker résumé stretching back to his first ring in 2008.
Unlike Engel, who has found success across a wide range of formats both live and online, Hawkins has built his ring legacy exclusively in No-Limit Hold’em and entirely on the live felt — a testament to his consistency and ability to navigate large field live events. His reputation as a fierce WSOP-C competitor remains unmatched in the live circuit sphere.
However, Hawkins’ accomplishments on the felt continue to be overshadowed by off-the-table controversies. His name has been linked to longstanding unpaid poker debts, and most recently, Randy Garcia took to Twitter to claim that Hawkins still owes him six figures — a debt that has remained unsettled for over six years, despite repeated promises of repayment.
While his talent and results are undeniable, Hawkins’ legacy remains complicated, balancing poker greatness with ongoing disputes that raise questions about accountability in the poker world.
