The Nigerian Dream: Kayode Power Lock Horns With Cuba’s Ortiz for Greatness

Lateef ‘power’ Kayode is undoubtedly the next big thing in the Nigerian boxing scene. Forget DickTiger and Samuel Peter; am talking a prospective first WBA interim world champion from the most populous African country.

A native of Surulere, Lagos, Kayode has been earning rave reviews in the United States of America, Hollywood, California, to be precise. His dream of becoming a World champion has survived the stiffest, brute and sternest oppositions since the age of 25, when he snuck into the eyes of the boxing world. Like the burning desire in his belly, Power has come with his own stool to sit and never walk away again. Yet, his career has reached that figurative crossroad, when all doors to your widest imaginations close and then open into a newer realm.

Kayode Power and Ortiz Real King Kong at the Weight on Wednesday. Image: Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos/Golden Boy
Kayode Power and Ortiz Real King Kong at the Weight on Wednesday. Image: Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos/Golden Boy

It all boils down to 12 rounds at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, on Thursday (today), September 11, against fellow flawless fighter, Luis ‘the real king kong’ Ortiz. With tension building up fast since Wednesday’s weight-in, it is beginning to dawn on the unrepentant cynic that there “will be one less undefeated heavyweight fighter” at the end of it all.
Luis Ortiz In One of His Gym Sessions in Miami, Florida, USA. Image: NEPHP.
Luis Ortiz In One of His Gym Sessions in Miami, Florida, USA. Image: NEPHP.

Ortiz (21-0; 18 KOs; Weight: 233.8; WBA #2) is a Cuban boxer, who currently holds the WBC FECARBOX, WBA Fedelatin and the vacant WBO/WBA Latino belts (all in the regional heavyweight category). The 35-year-old overwhelmed veteran, Monte Barrett in his last fight back in March, after his American opponent took a knee in the fourth round. His heavy punching was highlighted in his No Contest win over Joseph Rabotte in July last year. Rabotte fell out of the ring and was unable to continue in the third round.

Ortiz’s physical presence is considered his most potent weapon and he has said he would do all it takes to force his way into world boxing limelight after winning a host of continental duels.

“I am the next heavyweight champion. I am going to keep doing my part so I can get there,” Ortiz said. “When I need to be a power puncher, I will do it. When I need to box, I will do it. When I need to be defensive, I will do it. When I need to attack and get the job done, I will do it. If there is a specific name for all of those styles – then that is the kind of fighter I am.”

Lateef Olalalekin Kayode Will Become the First Nigerian WBA (Interim)  Heavyweight Champion, With Victory Against Luis Ortiz on Thursday. Image: Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos/Golden Boy.
Lateef Olalalekin Kayode Will Become the First Nigerian WBA (Interim) Heavyweight Champion, With Victory Against Luis Ortiz on Thursday. Image: Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos/Golden Boy.

Lateef (20-0; 16 KOs; Weight:221.2; WBA #5), like I earlier mentioned, paid the cost to become a heavyweight fighter. Under the tutelage of Freddie Roach- a six-time recipient of the Trainer of the Year award- he developed into one of the best pound for pound and aggressive fighters in contemporary times.

The 31-year-old Nigerian said: “My trainer Freddie Roach has spent a lot of time in the gym with me. He has taught me a lot about my opponents and how to take advantage of them. I notice the difference when Freddie tells me things to adjust my game. He helped me with my footwork and positioning. He taught me new ways to make my opponents pay. Freddie told me that if I listen to him I will have no problem with this guy. He’s there to make life easier for me. I will be able to keep composure and keep calm in the ring.”

Since adding Gren Cohen, who has a long history of success working with Nigerian heavyweights including Peter and Ike Ibeabuchi, at his ringside; the prospect of ruling the world has continued to edge closer to reality. And with the WBO NABO and NABF championship titles (all in the cruiserweight division) already in his kitty, Power took his heavyweight bow last December.

He stopped America’s Jonte Willis in the sixth round of action in January after scoring a second round TKO over American journeyman Travis Fulton in his debut heavyweight fight.

Kayode Power in the Gym With Freddie Roach Ahead of His Heavyweight Bow. Image: Fight News.
Kayode Power in the Gym With Freddie Roach Ahead of His Heavyweight Bow. Image: Fight News.

‘I feel as good as I did at cruiserweight, I’m still the same powerful guy,” he said. “. It’s not an easy task to fine-tune my brute force and strength but I feel great about where I am.”

The winner of the fight could in theory move a step closer to a showdown with world Heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko (holder of the WBA super-heavyweight title), part of the same championship lineage as Jack Johnson, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson. There could well be a mandatory title shot against WBA ‘regular’ champion Ruslan Chagaev.

“After I knock Ortiz out or whatever I do to him, after that I will leave it up to my manager to try to get me a fight with Klitschko. I’m not scared to fight anybody,” Kayode added.

Luis Ortiz is a Cuban Heavyweight Fighter Who Has Won Several Regional Belts. Image: Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos/Golden Boy
Luis Ortiz is a Cuban Heavyweight Fighter Who Has Won Several Regional Belts. Image: Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos/Golden Boy

“This is the fight that is going to put me in everybody’s eyes. They are going to know who I am. I want to thank my management (Juan L. Jimenez/King Kong Boxing). I want to thank God, my team and Golden Boy- because I am going to be the heavyweight world champion,” Ortiz added on BoxingScene.com.

Main Sponsors: Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions

Venue: The Joint- Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

Live: Fox Sport 1 and Fox Sport Desportes

Transmission Starts: 9:30 EST (2:30pm Nigerian Time)