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

Ortiz (22-0, 19 KOs) dropped Kayode approximately a minute into the first round. Kayode (20-1, 16 KOs) beat the count and was later stunned with an Ortiz left hook followed by a flurry of unanswered punches. Referee Robert Byrd stepped in and stopped the contest with seconds left in the round.

Although few punches landed cleanly, Byrd felt Kayode had taken enough damage. Kayode voiced his displeasure with Byrd after the stoppage.

With the stoppage, Ortiz becomes a mandatory challenger to WBA regular heavyweight champion Ruslan Chagaev.

The co-main event saw Juan Manuel Lopez (34-5, 31 KOs) versus Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar (25-1, 19 KOs).

Lopez, 31, entered the ring with hopes for one more big-payday and another shot at a world championship. The former two division champion contemplating retirement after being knocked out by Fernando Vargas July 12.

Cuellar retained his WBA interim featherweight championship.

Lopez was knocked out in the second round after Cuellar forced him against the ropes and landed a three-punch combination. Referee Kenny Bayless immediately stopped the bout as Lopez dropped to the canvas.

Lopez’ devastating loss to Cuellar derails his hopes and may likely force him into retirement.

Also in action on the card, Jermall Charlo stopped Norberto Gonzalez in the seventh round in his quest to landing a world championship bout.

Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) had a point deducted in the fourth round after landing a lowblow on Gonzalez. Charlo dropped Gonzalez (20-5, 13 KOs) in the fifth round with a straight right hand. Charlo inched closer to a world championship opportunity with the win after having his hopes delayed when Carlos Molina was arrested days before their IBF junior middleweight championship bout March 8.

Josesito Lopez (33-6, 19 KOs) was also victorious in a lackluster performance against Rafael Cobos. Lopez dictated the action by effectively landing body shots on Cobos (15-5-5, 3 KOs) en route to a unanimous decision, winning 80-72 on each scorecard.

Lopez, 30, earned his third consecutive win after suffering consecutive loses to Saul Alvarez and Marcos Maidana. The Riverside native’s name has been in the running for possible opponents for Amir Khan in December.

Thursday’s performance could possibly tamper hopes of a December showdown with Kahn.

Errol Spence Jr. and Julian Williams were also victorious Thursday night.

-Jose Quintero/ @JoseSwift8755

US Managing Editor for www.BehindTheGloves.com

This Thursday night at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas,  World Boxing Association number-five ranked Heavyweight, undefeated Lateef “Power” Kayode (20-0, 16 KO’s) will fight against fellow undefeated top rated contender Luis Ortiz ((21-0, 18 KO’s) for the WBA Interim Heavyweight title.

The fight will headline a card that will be televised on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 9:30 PM ET.

Kayode has been training hard for this major opportunity under Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.

Roach is very optimistic about his fighters’ chances of winning the title and subsequently becoming a major player in the Heavyweight division.

Below is an interview with Roach detailing the fight:

– PRESS RELEASE

World Boxing Association number-five ranked Heavyweight, undefeated Lateef “Power” Kayode (20-0, 16 KO’s) has been preparing for WBA Interim Heavyweight championship bout against fellow undefeated top rated contender Luis Ortiz ((21-0, 18 KO’s) on September 11 at  Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The resident of Hollywood, California and native of Lagos, Nigeria has been prepping for this major opportunity at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer, Freddie Roach.

“It’s going to be a great fight for both of us.  It is a great opportunity to prove myself in the Heavyweight division,” said Kayode.

Despite moving up from Cruiserweight, Kayode is not at all intimidated by Ortiz who will have close to a three-inch and 20-plus pound weight advantage.

“He is strong and big.  I know that and it doesn’t concern me at all.  I spar a lot of big guys out here and I am used to it.”

Kayode knows that a win over Ortiz will be the gateway for major opportunities in the Heavyweight division.

“I have been doing my job as I know this is a big opportunity.  This fight will give me a Heavyweight title belt and that will only lead me into bigger fights.”

Kayode gives a lot of credit to the man who helped secure this opportunity.  That being his promoter Greg Cohen.

Cohen has a great history in the Heavyweight division as he has worked with Hasim Rahman, Shannon Briggs, James Toney and Samuel Peter to name a few.

Said Cohen, “Lateef is a bonafide Heavyweight with one punch power in either hand.  Most people don’t realize that the majority of his 21 fights have taken place at heavyweight (12 out of 21).  After speaking with Freddie over the past few months, he implored me to do whatever needed to be done to secure the Ortiz fight, as Freddie believes the styles match up perfectly for Lateef to be successful. Both fighters are undefeated, extremely strong & both guys know that it’s sink or swim time. At the end of the day I think Lateef’s power and execution of Freddie’s game plan will be the difference in the fight. It Won’t be easy, but on September 11th,  I expect Lateef’s hand to be raised in victory and a new major player in the Heavyweight division will have arrived.”

“I want to thank Greg Cohen for putting this together and I know on September 11, I will come out victorious.  It is an Opportunity that I have to take.”, continued Kayode.

The fight will kick off a monstrous fight weekend in Las Vegas as it will be a prelude to the rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana that will take place two nights later at the MGM Grand.

“I want to thank the fans that will come to and watch our fight.  It will be the start of a great boxing weekend.  They say nobody wants to fight Ortiz.  Well I am not scared and I will be there.  I am not scared of anybody.”

Kayode has much riding on the fight as he wants to follow in the footsteps of Peter and become the 2nd Heavyweight champion from Nigeria.

“My people back home will be very happy.  For me to come home with the Heavyweight championship would be great.  I am going to prove to everybody that I am the best and I will bring that title home to Nigeria.”, finished Kayode.

– PRESS RELEASE

Courtesy of @WTSPNews on Twitter

Tarver arrested over 200k gambling debt to Wynn

Former Roy Jones Jr. conqueror Antonio Tarver was arrested in Florida on Saturday night in connection to a $200,000 gambling debt he owes to the Wynn Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Florida Highway Patrol arrested Tarver after pulling him over after a traffic stop, finding out that there was a June warrant in Las Vegas for his arrest.

Tarver got markers in July 2012 at the casino for amounts in $50k, $50k, and then $100k and failed to pay back the loans, resulting in the warrant.

The 1996 Olympic bronze medalist has seen a fall from grace of sorts since his June 2012 fight against Lateef Kayode that was televised on Showtime. Tarver tested positive for a banned substance following the bout and was suspended. To top it off, Tarver lost his commentary gig with Showtime and an opportunity to call the 2012 Olympic boxing bouts. It is fair to say that no other professional fighter has been hit as hard following a positive test.

Tarver played Mason Dixon in the 2006 film Rocky Balboa opposite Sylvester Stallone and has fought just once since the 2012 bout with Kayode.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com