Showtime will have back-to-back prospect showcases on ShoBox: The New Generation this Friday and Saturday, and the most hyped prospect of all those featured main events the first night. Here's a look at cruiserweight prospect Lateef "Power" Kayode:
Quick Profile
Kayode, 28, was born in Nigeria and now fights out of Freddie Roach's Wild Card stable in Hollywood. He's got an impressive look about him, at a ripped 6'2" that has only gone slightly over the cruiserweight limit of 200 lbs in his pro career. Like many with his background, Kayode learned to box and it helped him escape a rough street life, and eventually became a solid amateur, winning gold medals in amateur competitions in Ghana, Morocco and Algeria. As a pro, he is 16-0 with 14 stoppage wins.
Pros
He's got real power, so the nickname is no jive. And he punches nicely to the body, too, targeting it and wearing out opponents. The biggest pro for Kayode is his training -- led by Freddie Roach, he has gone from puncher to puncher with some skills, if not yet quite a "boxer-puncher." Roach is the ace in the hole who has in the past taken raw physical prospects and turned them into fighting machines.
Cons
He is still very raw, and his overall skillset is improving but still limited. Though he's had some solid wins for his level, he struggled a bit last time out against Nicholas Iannuzzi. Friday's opponent is Matt Godfrey (20-2, 10 KO) who himself has limitations, but can box a little, and is a good test for Kayode right now.
YouTube Links
vs Chris Thomas (2010-03-27) - Part 1 / Part 2
vs Nicholas Iannuzzi (2011-02-04) - Full Fight