SANTA YNEZ, CALIF. (March 19, 2004) “ Unbeaten North American Boxing Organization (NABO)/International Boxing Association (IBA) Americas Light Heavyweight champion Rico “Suave” Hoye added the World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) light heavyweight belts to his wardrobe by impressively knocking out Donnell “Cadillac” Wiggins in the first round on “ShoBox: The New Generation” Thursday on SHOWTIME. In the co-feature, undefeated WBA FEDECENTRO Champion Daniel “The Haitian Sensation” Edouard and Dorian “Quiet Storm” Beaupierre fought to an unpopular 10-round majority draw in a middleweight bout. The doubleheader at Chumash Casino Resort was promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and aired at 11 p.m. ET/PT*. The telecast was the 39th in the popular “ShoBox” series. “ShoBox.” which debuted on July 21, 2001.
Hoye (16-0, 13 KOs), of Detroit, dropped Wiggins twice with overhand right hands high on the head. The referee stopped the bout at the 2:28 mark after the second knockdown. Hoye, who also won his previous start by opening-round knockout, utilized a five-inch height advantage to register the sixth first-round knockout of his career. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 8 light heavyweight contender had it much easier in his second “ShoBox” appearance than he did in his debut when he rallied from a second-round knockdown to capture the vacant IBA crown with a 12-round unanimous decision over Prince Badi Ajamu June 5, 2003, on SHOWTIME. The talented boxer-puncher outpointed Ajamu by the scores 118-109 twice and 117-110. Known as “Suave” for his moves and smooth, fluid style, the hard-hitting Hoye scored a first-round KO over Marris Virgil on Dec. 12, 2003. This was his first fight since.
Wiggins (20-4-2, 11 KOs), of Covington, Tenn., was stopped for a second consecutive time. On Dec. 13, 2003, the defending WBC Continental Americas/NABF 175-pound titleholder lost by eighth-round TKO to undefeated Jeff Lacy on SHOWTIME. The defeat to Lacy snapped a five-fight winning streak and ended a nine-bout unbeaten streak (8-0-1).
Beaupierre (11-1-1, 5 KOs), of Rahway, N.J., by way of the Dominican Republic, seemed to do enough in the eyes of most ringsiders to win. He used the ring well, fought smart and was the much sharper puncher during the fight’s second-half One of the judges had him ahead by 97-93, but the other two judges scored the good action fight, 95-all. Beaupierre entered the ring having won eight straight since he suffered his lone setback on April 24, 2002.
Edouard (15-0-1, 8 KOs), of Babylon, N.Y., started quickly and was aggressive throughout, but he was not always effective. In his last “Shobox” appearance, on Oct. 3, 2003, Edouard registered a 10-round majority decision over previously unbeaten Miguel Espino. In a terrific performance, Edouard captured the contest by the scores 96-94 twice and 95-95.
“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.