Malik Hawkins vs Keith Hunter set as main event of Feb. 28 ShoBox

ShoBox: The New Generation will get back to what it does best on its Feb. 28 broadcast, headlining with a pair of unbeaten prospects risking their “0s” in a 10-round bout.

The main event fight will see junior welterweights Malik Hawkins (18-0, 11 KO) of Baltimore and Keith Hunter (11-0, 7 KO) of Las Vegas square off at Vegas’ Sam’s Town Live.

“It feels great to headline my first ShoBox event,” said the 24-year-old Hawkins. “This is something I wanted to do since I was a kid. A win in this fight and the exposure fighting on a platform like Showtime only brings more recognition to my talent and skills and bigger and better opportunities. I have more than myself to fight for. I have the kids who look up to me at Upton Gym. I fight for them they’re my real motivation.

“I can’t say much about my opponent. I know he’s also undefeated. He is a durable opponent and he’s coming to fight, but if you watched my last fight you know I come in to take my opponents 0.”

“I feel confident coming into this fight,” said Hunter, 27. “My last two bouts, I defeated Mayweather fighters and I’m confident with the insight I have. We’re both six feet tall, but he’s missing components as a fighter. He has trouble fighting on the outside. He is more comfortable on the inside. I feel I’m the better more skilled fighter going into the fight.

“Anytime I get to fight on a big stage like Showtime, I invest a piece of my heart and soul, so hopefully my fans and anyone who watches my fight will see a genuine kid fighting for legacy and not money. This opportunity will help me connect with more people and I’m forever thankful for it.”

The co-feature will see another 140-pound prospect, Richardson Hitchins (10-0, 5 KO), take on Nick DeLomba (16-2, 5 KO), and in the opener, super middleweight Kevin Newman II (11-1-1, 6 KO) faces Kalvin Henderson (12-0-1, 8 KO). Both of those fights are also set for 10 rounds.