“SHOBOX: THE NEW GENERATION” GETS DOWN IN MOTOWN

29.05 - The popular boxing series “ShoBox: The New Generation” makes its Motown debut from the State Theater in Detroit on Thursday, June 5, with a pair of bouts featuring unbeaten fighters. In the 12-round main event, Detroit native Rico Hoye will take on Prince Badi Ajamu for the vacant International Boxing Association (IBA) Continentals light heavyweight title. The 10-round co-main event will feature a match-up of unbeaten lightweights as Carl Johanneson battles Koba Gogoladze. SHOWTIME will televise the fight card, promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, in association with Fight Night, and representing the 31st in a series of “ShoBox” telecasts, at 11 p.m. ET/PT. The well-received series debuted July 21, 2001.

Hoye (12-0, 10 KOs), of Detroit, Mich., 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 will make his SHOWTIME debut, has tallied four opening-round knockouts and defeated his 12 opponents in a total of 33 rounds. In his most recent bout on April 24, 2003, Hoye earned a third-round TKO over Tyrone Muex in Gulfport, Miss.

Ajamu (15-0-1, 7 KOs), of Philadelphia, scored a fifth-round TKO in his last bout over Dan Sheehan on Jan. 16, 2003, 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. Ajamu, who will make his second 2003 start, had his toughest test to date when he battled Anthony Bonsante to an eight-round draw in Dover, Del., on Oct. 4, 2002.

Johanneson (12-0, 6 KOs), of Leeds, England, 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 latest outing over Juan Llopis on Jan. 16, 2003, in Philadelphia. The well-traveled boxer has fought in six different states in just 12 bouts.

Gogoladze (8-0, 4 KOs), of Tblisi, The Republic of Georgia, 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.

“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.

Nick Charles will call the action from ringside, with Steve Farhood serving as expert analyst. The executive producers of the telecast are 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