16.02.04 – It will be a battle for the belts as two great contenders in the light-heavyweight division take center stage at the Chumash Casino Resort in beautiful Santa Ynez, CA. Gary Shaw Productions, LLC (GSP) presents undefeated NABO light-heavyweight champion, RICO HOYE, in a 12-round rumble against WBC Continental Americas / NABF light-heavyweight champion DONNELL WIGGINS in the main event on SHOWTIME’S SHOBox: The New Generation, Thursday, March 18. The broadcast will begin at 11 P.M. EST (Live) / 11 P.M. PST (Tape-Delay). Hoye and Wiggins, who have a combined record of 35-3-2 (23 KOs) — a winning percentage of 87.5% — will be putting it all on the line, fighting for all their titles.
Hoye, 15-0 (12 KOs), from Detroit, MI, has tallied five opening round knockouts and defeated all 15 opponents he has faced since making his pro debut in mid-2001, in a total of 48 rounds. A hard counter-puncher with impressive moves, Hoye’s smooth, fluid style has earned him the nickname “Suave.” The stylish fighter put his skills to the test when he made his SHOWTIME debut on the June 5, 2003, “ShoBox: The New Generation” telecast. He pitched a virtual shutout against undefeated Prince Badi Ajamu, 15-0-1, winning a unanimous 12-round decision on scores of 118-109, 118-109, and 117-110. He followed that victory with a second-round knockout of Etienne Whitaker on October 11, 2003, to capture the vacant NABO light-heavyweight title. He returns to ring fresh from a one-round knockout of Marris Virgil, December 12, 2003.
Wiggins, 20-3-2 (11 KOs), from Covington, TN, is no stranger to the winner’s circle. He has gone 14-2-1 in his last 17 bouts, including winning five of his last six bouts. In his last light-heavyweight bout, October 11, 2003, Wiggins captured the vacant NABF light-heavyweight title via a 12-round majority decision over “Rockin’” Rodney Moore, for his second title of the year. Wiggins captured the vacant WBC Continental Americas light-heavyweight title, May 1, 2003, knocking out Carlos Bunema in the third round. Wiggins successfully defended the title two months later, July 18, winning a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision over Danny Green. One of the busiest fighters in boxing, Wiggins fought 10 times in 2003, losing just once, when he moved down to the super middleweight division to challenge undefeated WBC Continental Americas / USBA / NABA super middleweight champion Jeff Lacy.
Doors open at 5:30 PM. Under-card matches start at 6 PM. Tickets are on sale now at the Chumash Casino box office or TicketsPlus, 800-585-3737 or www.ticketsplus.net.
The Chumash Casino Resort is located in Santa Barbara County, California, between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley. In its 190,000 square foot facility, the Chumash Casino Resort offers Las Vegas-style gaming, 24-hours seven days a week. Tickets are expected to go on sale soon.