Unbeaten Nigerian heavyweight boxer Lateef ‘power’ Kayode is bracing himself for a possible return to the ring in April against an opponent to be confirmed any time from now.
He also wants to stage a fight in front of his countrymen, who as much as his family has been his source of inspiration.
The hard-punching orthodox (22-0-0, 16KOs), now blessed with 2 daughters and a son, has found comfort in the caressingly warm, dry and sometimes cold, hot weather of Hollywood since switching the streets of Surulere for the high brow neighbourhoods of the States in 2008.
“I’m scheduled to be back in the ring this spring. April 17th is the tentative date for the bout. I will be informing my fans of the future bout from my Instagram account @KAYOPOWER,” Kayode told informationng.com in an exclusive interview, due to be published in full later on Monday.
“We’re working on bringing a fight to Lagos. I haven’t been home in almost 7 years. I look forward to defending my undefeated record in my hometown in front of my family and friends.
“I look forward to returning home as the Undisputed World Champ. This is the primary reason I left. I can’t wait to spread a motivational message throughout Nigeria. No one should be afraid to achieve their dreams. No matter the dream, put all of your effort into making it a reality.”
Kayode’s last fight was ruled a No-contest after fellow unbeaten heavyweight boxer Luiz Ortiz (21-0-0) tested positive for anabolic steroid nandrolone.
The Cuban, who scored a first round TKO against Kayode in their WBA interim heavyweight title fight last September at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, vacated the belt months later and received a 10% prize money deduction, as well as eight months suspension amongst other punishments by the Nevada State Boxing Commission (NSAC).
“Steroids are a substitute for HEART and a counterbalance for FEAR,” Kayode highlighted on the decades-long advent of athletes using performance enhancing drugs.
“I believe boxers don’t cheat to win, they cheat because they expect to lose and they don’t want to lose as bad as they believe they will.”
The 31-year-old feels lucky to have six-time Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Trainer of the Year, Freddie Roach, by his ringside, a man he described as “a walking legend.”
“He’s someone I can depend on and he always gives great ring and life advice,” he said.
Power: Aiming for the Brass Ring without a Knuckleduster to be published Monday 18:00GMT
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