Small Step for Cruiserweight Lateef Kayode in Comeback Win
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Augusta, Georgia (June 21st, 2023)– Looking like an aged version of James Toney, former world ranked cruiserweight contender Lateef ‘Power’ Kayode recently returned to the ring and made a successful come from behind comeback at age 40, scoring a sixth round stoppage at 2:45 of round six of 6-16-1 journeyman Chad Davis in a scheduled six rounder at The Heal Complex in Augusta, Georgia, in the co-main event of a five bout Triller Fight Club card on Friday, June 16, 2023. For Kayode, 22-4 with 17 knockouts, Hollywood, California, by way of Lagos, Nigeria, it was his first win since decisioning Nick Kissner over 10 rounds in Memphis, Tennessee, in May 2015. Kayode had one of his previous six bouts, and three of his last nine bouts (which included two No-Contests) after going 20-0 undefeated in his first 20 professional bouts.
A September 2014 WBA Interim World Heavyweight title bout with Luis Ortiz at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino ended in a one round No Contest on January 12, 2015, after Ortiz failed a postfight drug test. Previously, on June 2, 2012, Kayode fought an odd No Decision / No Contest with Antonio Tarver for the IBO World Cruiserweight title in a bout which was originally scored a 12 round draw. On June 22, 2012, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) announced Tarver’s prefight urinalysis had tested positive for the illegal steroid Drostalolone (Maseron).
In November 2015, Kayode was stopped in the eighth round of a World Boxing Association World Cruiserweight title bout against Denis Lebedev, at Tatneft Arena in Kazan, Russian Federation, after getting knocked down four times. In September 2017, Kayode lost a 10 round decision to Keith Tapia at The Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. In May 2018, Kayode was knocked out in the sixth round by Andrew Tabiti at Sam’s Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas. In July 2018, Kayode was stopped in the sixth round by Alexei Egorov at Florentine Gardens-El Monte, California. This left Kayode at 0-4 with two No Contests in major cruiserweight and heavyweight bouts, and 0-1 with two No Contests in world cruiserweight and world heavyweight title bouts.
Kayode showed ring rust, enabling the aggressive Davis to win the first five rounds. Kayode had a tight upraised arms defense, though still got outworked by Davis for most of the bout. Davis appeared to suddenly tire near the end of round five. Late in the sixth and final round, out of nowhere, Kayode landed an overhand right hand bomb which sent Davis, who had no legs left, backwards to the canvas through the ropes in a corner for a nine count. Davis just beat the count, but referee Ansell Stewart waved the bout off with less than 15 seconds left.
Result: Lateef Kayode TKO 6 Chad Davis, Heavyweights (2:45)
Kayode knocked down Davis for a nine count in round six. Referee: Ansel Stewart
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