SAULT STE. MARIE, MI - Unbeaten Rico Hoye will fight for the IBF light heavyweight title after controversially edging former WBC light heavyweight champion Montell Griffin via twelve round split decision Thursday night in an IBF eliminator.
The bout was a tactical battle as the always counter punching Griffin, 46-5 (30 KOs) was able to control the fight. Hoye, 18-0 (14 KOs) tried to be the aggressor, but rarely landed cleanly.
Griffin put on a boxing exhibition, implementing good defense and anticipation throughout the bout. He was more accurate with his counter shots and truly appeared to have won the fight.
Hoye was cut over the right eye by a head butt in round three, but it was not a factor. The judges' scorecards read 116-112, 116-112 for Hoye, 115-113 Griffin.
The Griffin camp who were fully confident they had done enough to pull out the victory were shocked and disgusted at the decision. Upon hearing the call, Montell immediately stormed out of the ring, refusing to give a post-fight interview.
Hoye is now in line to face the winner of the Glencoffe Johnson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight on Sept 25.
In earlier action, super bantamweight Al Seegar scored an eight round unanimous decision win over Eric Aiken.
Aiken, 11-2 (8 KOs) floored Seeger in the opening seconds of the bout. But it was Seeger, 20-1 (16 KOs) who controlled the majority of the fight by using his jab to move Aiken back.
Confusing Seeger by switching from right-handed to southpaw throughout the contest, Aiken failed to land any meaningful punches after the initial round.
Seegar, 20-1 (16 KOs) began to work behind the jab in round two and rocked Aiken repeatedly with it for the balance of the fight.
Seeger even staggered Aiken with an overhand right to the chin in the fifth round.
Referee Dale Grable deducted points from both fighters in round three and another point from Seegar in round seven.
Aiken, 11-2 (8 KOs) floored Seeger in the opening seconds of the bout. But it was Seeger, 20-1 (16 KOs) who controlled the majority of the fight by using his jab to move Aiken back.