Luis Ortiz stops Kayode in the first round

Luis “The Real King Kong” Ortiz finished Lateef “Power” Kayode Thursday night by way of TKO in the first round and went on to claim the interim WBA heavyweight title of the world.  Ortiz, (22-0, 17 KOs), came from Miami with his goal of winning a world title and was able to do just that.  Kayode (20-1), who trains in Los Angeles, had said he was ready to knock out Ortiz and was looking forward to a fight with Wladimir Klitschko.  Although the finish was a controversial one, the night was full of exciting rounds with the undercards at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas.

The main event of the night was a scheduled 12 round fight for the WBA interim heavyweight title between Ortiz and Kayode.  Ortiz had said that his first goal in life was to come to the US from Cuba in order to seek better care for his then-ill daughter.  She is in good condition now and since he has accomplished that, now he wants to move on to his second goal: becoming a world champion.

Kayode, originally from Nigeria, was training under Freddie Roach and was also the former WBO, NABO and NABF cruiserweight champion.

When interviewed before the fight, Oscar de la Hoya said he definitely predicted a knockout in this fight. He said he just was not sure who it would be from.

The bell rang and both boxers moved in with heavy hands.  Ortiz landed a left hook and then a right hook to the body which dropped Kayode but referee Robert Byrd decided he had lost his footing and slipped.  Ortiz, with his lower guard of the two, stalked Kayode and both look for the knockout.  Kayode could not seem to find his reach and was at a disadvantage.  Ortiz hurt Kayode with a wide left hook.  Ortiz then cornered Kayode who proceeded to almost sit against the corner and take the punishment without punching back.  At two minutes and 55 seconds of the first round Byrd stepped in and stopped the fight.  Many in the crowd were displeased with the decision along with Kayode and his corner.  Kayode kept saying that he was defending himself, however, Byrd was interviewed and stated that he stepped in because he was taking too many punches.  Malignaggi said, “If you’re okay, do something about it!”  He goes on to say that Kayode could have taken a knee and that he was obviously throwing punches after the referee stepped in so he was cognizant, he just did not show it when he was cornered.

Ortiz went on to win by TKO and got his title.  For him, it looks like he has accomplished his two main goals in life.  For Kayode, it seems he may have to go back to the drawing board if he wants to fight the likes of Klitschko.

– Nader Gamez / @NaderGamez

– Contributor for www.BehindtheGloves.com