Tarver aims to tame Kayode
The first question for Antonio Tarver is one he undoubtedly answers often.
Why does a 43-year-old former light heavyweight boxing champion who has starred in Rocky Balboa and matriculated into a nice job as a ringside analyst for Showtime feel the need to get back in the ring?
No hesitation. “Because I can,” he says, sounding annoyed. “I’m still at the top of my division. If I wasn’t winning championships and beating the odds ... It’s what I love to do. Why should I retire, when there’s so much more to accomplish?
“I’ve got goals, and until I can no longer reach my goals, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Tarver (29-6, 20 KOs) will defend his IBO cruiserweight title Saturday (Showtime, 9 p.m. ET) at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., against Lateef Kayode (KAHY-oh-tee), a 29year-old undefeated Nigerian whose nickname is “Power.” Kayode has won all 18 of his professional fights, 14 by knockout.
This is where Tarver’s two jobs intersect. As an analyst, he criticized Kayode in appearances on Showtime’s ShoBox. Tarver said the African’s punches were sloppy and he had no spirit when he fought.
It’s a bone of contention for Kayode. “When I was doing good and connecting on my punches, he just quiets down and says nothing. . . . He only concentrates on my mistakes,” he says.
Tarver will try to exploit those mistakes but says he’s just doing his job and has no ax to grind.
“I’m not paid to stroke anybody or sit behind that desk and promote or market a fighter,” Tarver says. “What I was telling him were the things I saw that he could have improved on. I’m looking at the intangibles you need to be a world-class fighter, and he could not understand that. He showed his inexperience and youth by getting all emotional and out of whack approaching and confronting me.
“That tells me his emotions got the best of him, and now he’s bit off more than he can chew. So instead of trying to tell him what I thought he should do to improve, I’ve got to show him.”
Tarver won his title in Australia in July, stopping Danny Green in the ninth round. Kayode is coming off three consecutive wins by decision.
Besides power, Kayode has one big thing going for him. His cornerman is five-time trainer of the year Freddie Roach.
Roach says Kayode is a challenge. “He’s a young fighter, and he gets excited easily,” the trainer says. “We’ll keep his head on straight and try to keep him calm. At times he may get a little excited, but excitement makes good fights.
“(Tarver) is a Hall of Famer for sure, and we know we have to beat guys like this to get to the top. . . . I don’t think experience will be an advantage for him. Whoever controls the fight and pulls it off will be the winner.”
Tarver, nicknamed “The Magic Man,” rattles off one magic cliché after another when asked what he has in store for Kayode.
“I’ve still got a few tricks up my sleeve,” he says with a laugh. “I’m going to be Mr. Abracadabra Saturday night. I’m going to make Lateef Kayode disappear right before your very eyes.”