| |
|
KAYODE-TARVER GRUDGE MATCH ENDS IN A DRAW
By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Sun, 03 Jun 2012

Billed as a grudge match after IBO cruiserweight champion Antonio Tarver made what his opponent Lateef Kayode considered insulting remarks on television, the title showdown didn?t provide the fireworks fight fans had expected and petered out into a split decision draw.
The title fight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California was telecast on the sports channel Active or AKTV over IBC 13 on the weekly program ?Big Time Bakbakan? beginning at 12:00 noon.
Kayode was the more active fighter in the early stages of the fight often connecting with straight rights to the head but Tarver got into his rhythm in the fourth round and came back with solid lefts to the head.
The middle rounds in the twelve round bout were pretty even but Tarver cracked Kayode with a good combination in the 9th round that stunned the Nigerian who now fights out of Hollywood and trains at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
While the champion Tarver moved around looking for an opportunity to unload his punches were few and far between while Kayode looked for a chance to counter.
Judge David Denkin scored the fight for Kayode 115-113 while judge Max De Luca scored it for Tarver by an identical 115-113 margin and Dave Moretti had it even at 114-114 resulting in a split decision draw.
Tarver who retains his title goes to 29-6-1 with 20 knockouts while Kayode keeps his unbeaten record at 18-0-1 with 14 knockouts.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center , Wed, 06 May 2026Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland! , Wed, 06 May 2026Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54 , Tue, 05 May 2026Mexican boxing historian Eduardo Lamazón passes away at 70 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026NM Rolly Parondo rules Thailand FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 05 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: 95% KO Power Collides in Manchester — Winner Gets Usyk Next By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 05 May 2026Former Cuban champions Gamboa and Rigondeaux returns on May 30 in Fort Lauderdale By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 05 May 2026Pido to defend crown in SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026Yanong arrives in Japan By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 04 May 2026OLEKSANDR USYK VS RICO VERHOEVEN ‘GLORY IN GIZA’ TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR HISTORIC UNDISPUTED CLASH IN EGYPT – LIVE ON DAZN , Mon, 04 May 2026Parade of champs By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World , Sun, 03 May 2026SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON , Sun, 03 May 2026PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash , Sat, 02 May 2026Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland , Sat, 02 May 2026Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON , Sat, 02 May 2026Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track , Sat, 02 May 20262nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31 By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|