Rico Too Suave for Policeman Hill

MONTEBELLO, Calif. – Crime paid for Rico “Suave” Hoye.

Hoye (20-1, 15 KOs) knocked out Sam “The Punching Policeman” Hill (17-7-1, 10 KOs) at the Quiet Cannon before a dinner crowd of more than 500 people in a 10-round light heavyweight bout on Friday. Psst. Nobody arrested Hoye for the infraction.

From the second round Hoye used a steady jab and pounded through Hill’s guard with thumping blows despite the policeman’s scooter tactics throughout the fight. It was like watching a merry-go-round as Hoye chased the rabbit from pillar to post.

The first round was the only round anyone could give Hill who used the last 10 seconds to score three body blows. After that, Hoye chased Hill like he stole something.

A quick left hook by Hoye in the sixth round stunned Hill, whose face showed the pain.
Then another left hook to the liver dropped the police officer like a thief getting rid of the goods drops the loot. But he took a deep breath and jumped back on his scooting tactics to survive the round.

For the next three rounds Hoye attempted to exchange with Hill but the St. Louis police officer realized he was outgunned. He was content to ride out the fight with counterpunches.

Finally, in the 10th round, with less than a minute left in the contest, Hoye trapped Hill in a corner and fired a right hand to the temple that sent the fighter who had survived 10 rounds with Jermain Taylor to the deck. Referee Ray Corona immediately waved off the fight for a technical knockout at 2:15 in the frame.

Hill protested the stoppage but it could have been stopped in the ninth round during Hoye’s furious barrage.

Hoye is now training at the Broadway Gym in South Central Los Angeles. His only loss was in a world title bout to Clinton Woods on March 2005.

In another light heavyweight bout Jesus “Chuy” Ruiz (19-4, 17 KOs) proved he still has rocks in his gloves with a first round knockout over veteran Rodney Moore (8-17-6). A right hand to the body dropped Moore within seconds of the opening bell. Then another right to the body convinced referee David Denkin to stop the fight at 1:20 of the premier round.

Ruiz hadn’t fought since losing by decision to Paul Briggs in Australia almost three years ago. This time he took that option away immediately by attacking Moore’s body.

In a welterweight contest, Oxnard’s Leonel Madrigal (5-3) was too slick for the pressure of Alex “The Beach Bum” Ariza (3-10) of Marina del Rey. Moving slightly left or right, the Oxnard fighter was able to score at will while slipping and moving out of range.

There were lots of celebrities in the audience. Among those that attended the dinner show were Sugar Shane Mosley and wife Jin, Antonio Margarito, Israel Vazquez, Chris Arreola and Francisco Arce.

The fight card was staged by All Star Boxing Promotions.