Boxing: Ortiz Dents Kayode’s Record

Nigerian-born Lateef ‘power’ Kayode conceded the WBA interim heavyweight championship belt to Cuba’s Luis ‘the real king kong’ Ortiz by first round KO on Thursday night at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Ortiz knocked Kayode down in round one. Referee Robert Byrd the surprisingly stopped the contest after just 2:55secs following a barrage of unanswered punches from Ortiz (22-0; 19KOs).

Kayode (21-1; 16KOs) complained about the early stoppage, but the deed was already done to Oscar De La Hoya’s delight- owner of Golden Boy Promotions (the fights main sponsor)- who immediately took to the stage to congratulate his only heavyweight champion on his day.

Luis Ortiz and Kayode Power at the Weight. Image:  Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos/ Golden Boy.
Luis Ortiz and Kayode Power at the Weight. Image: Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos/ Golden Boy.
Ortiz, Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev now ranks as the three fighters recognized as WBA world heavyweight champions in their respective forms.

The controversial TKO brought an end to Power’s 6-year-long unbeaten run.

In the co-feature, WBA interim featherweight champion Jesus Cuellar (25-1, 19KOs) scored an emphatic second round KO over former two division champion Juan Manuel Lopez (34-5, 32KOs).

KayodeOrtiz Under Cards Results

Unbeaten middleweight contender Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) scored a seventh round TKO over Norberto Gonzalez (20-5, 13 KOs).

Julian “J-Rock” Williams (17-0-1, 10 KOs) won an eight round unanimous decision over Eliezer Gonzalez (14-1, 9 KOs) in a clash of unbeaten jr middleweights. Scores were 80-72 on all cards. Williams was adjudged to have landed more punches.

2012 Olympian jr middleweight Errol Spence (14-0, 11 KOs) continued his unbeaten run after Noe Bolanos (24-11-1, 16 KOs) didn’t come out for round three citing a hand injury.

Former world title challenger Josesito “The Riverside Rocky” Lopez (32-7, 19 KOs) dominated his eight-round bout with Rafael Cobos (15-5-5, 3 KOs) in the welterweight category, claiming it by unanimous decision. All three cards were 80-72.

Unbeaten lightweight Jamel Herring (9-0, 6 KOs) halted Luis Pelayo (11-5, 7 KOs) in round two.