Hoye Captures IBA Title in a Unanimous Decision Over Prince Badi

06.06 - Press Release: With the crowd chanting "Rico," the undefeated Detroit native, Rico Hoye, captured the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Continentals light heavyweight title in a unanimous 12-round decision over previously unbeaten Prince Badi Ajamu Thursday on "ShoBox: The New Generation" on SHOWTIME. In the co-feature between unbeaten lightweights, Koba Gogoladze went the distance to remain undefeated, winning a split decision over Carl Johanneson. The doubleheader from the State Theatre was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with Fight Night. The fight card was the 31st in a series of "ShoBox" telecasts that began on July 21, 2001.

Hoye (13-0, 10 KOs), of Detroit, Mich., was knocked down in the second round, but rebounded and fought hard to win by unanimous decision, 118-109, 118-109 and 117-110. Hoye made his professional debut at age 26 on June 20, 2001, and scored a third-round knockout over Omar Pucci in Warren, Mich. In one of his biggest fights to date, Hoye stopped George Klinesmith in the second round on the June 8, 2002, undercard of Lennox Lewis- Mike Tyson. A hard counter puncher with impressive moves, his smooth, fluid style has earned him the nickname "Suave." Hoye, who made his SHOWTIME debut this evening, has tallied four opening-round knockouts and defeated his 13 opponents in a total of 45 rounds. In his most recent bout prior to tonight on April 24, 2003, Hoye earned a third-round TKO over Tyrone Muex in Gulfport, Miss.

Ajamu (15-1-1, 7 KOs), of Philadelphia, battled hard, but with the crowd cheering for his opponent and cuts above both eyes, Ajamu finally met his match and suffered the first loss of his career. In his last bout over Dan Sheehan on Jan. 16, 2003, Ajamu scored a fifth-round TKO, in Philadelphia. A late bloomer, Ajamu made his professional debut less than two weeks shy of his 29th birthday on Jan. 12, 2001, with a second-round TKO over Lavarius Thompson. After defeating his next 12 opponents, Ajamu ran his record to a perfect 14-0 by tallying a six-round unanimous decision over Alton Rice on Aug. 9, 2002, in Atlantic City, N.J. All three judges gave the fight to Ajamu by identical 60-54 scores. Before this evening's battle with Hoye, Ajamu had his toughest test to date when he fought Anthony Bonsante to an eight-round draw in Dover, Del., on Oct. 4, 2002.

Gogoladze (9-0, 4 KOs), of Ponti, The Republic of Georgia, remains undefeated. After being knocked down in the second round, he was able to hold off the tough left hook of Johanneson to win a split decision, 77-74, 77-73 and 74-76. Gogoladze reached the boxing quarterfinals at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta before losing to Romania's Leonard Doroftei. After turning pro at age 26 and knocking out his initial four opponents within four rounds, Gogoladze captured the World Boxing Federation (WBF) lightweight championship with a 10-round decision over Pascal Montulet on Dec. 10, 1999, in Nicosia, Cyprus. In his lone title defense, the undefeated southpaw earned a 10-round victory over David Turner on Feb. 4, 2000, in Tblisi. Gogoladze won his fourth consecutive bout by decision in his last outing when he defeated James Edwards on Nov. 15, 2002, in Philadelphia.

Johanneson (12-1, 6 KOs), of Leeds, England, was knocked down in the fifth round by the hard hitting Gogoladze, but was able to go the distance, the longest fight of his career to acquire his first loss. Johanneson is the son of famous South African soccer star Albert Johanneson. Nicknamed "Ingemar," after the former world heavyweight champion, Johanneson came to the United States to pursue a boxing career following a three-and-one-half year stint in the British army. In his professional debut, the 21-year-old Englishman recorded a third-round technical win over Calvin Shepard. Undefeated in 11 fights since his initial bout, Johanneson recorded a fifth- round knockout in his last outing over Juan Llopis on Jan. 16, 2003, in Philadelphia. The well-traveled boxer has fought in seven different states in just 13 bouts.

"ShoBox: The New Generation" features up-and-coming prospects determined to make a mark and eventually fight for a chance at a world title. The best of the new generation of hungry, young boxers will have an opportunity to showcase their talent and heart as they battle each other in competitive fights in front of a national television audience. "ShoBox: The New Generation" is pure, basic boxing, reminiscent of the golden days of the sport.

SHOWTIME televises "ShoBox: The New Generation" at 11 p.m. ET/PT on Thursdays every other week. The telecast will repeat the next day, Friday, on SHOWTIME TOO at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT and the following Monday on SHOWTIME EXTREME at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Nick Charles called the action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producers of the telecast were Jay Larkin and Gordon Hall, with Richard Gaughan producing.

For information on upcoming "ShoBox: The New Generation" and SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts, including complete fighter bios, records and related stories, please go the SHOWTIME website at http://www.sho.com/boxing .