Cohen Confident WBA and NSAC Will Treat Kayode Fairly in Wake of Luis Ortiz's Positive Steroid Test

According to promoter Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions, the WBA and the Nevada State Athletic Commission have a clear duty to his fighter, Lateef Kayode, should interim WBA World Heavyweight Champion Luis Ortiz's positive post-fight drug test for the steroid nandrolone be confirmed by the NSAC in an upcoming hearing. The NSAC and WBA, say Cohen, have a duty to his fighter, should Ortiz's positive result stand at the upcoming hearing and his title be stripped.  "I think it's only fair that my fighter's loss be erased by the Nevada Commission. And I believe the WBA should reinstate Lateef to his former position in the ratings and let him fight again for the interim championship against a fighter that isn't cheating. Lateef earned his place into a title fight and he deserves the chance to compete for it on a level playing field." Alternatively, Cohen says the WBA could consider treating the fight as having never happened and moving Kayode into a shot for the "Regular" Heavyweight Championship against current belt holder Ruslan Chagaev. "The WBA and the Nevada Commission are fine organizations and I'm sure they will remedy my fighter accordingly for this injustice, should it be affirmed. I have complete confidence they will do right by Lateef Kayode."

LUIS ORTIZ, LATEEF KAYODE, JESUS CUELLAR AND JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ HOLD MEDIA ROUNDTABLE TO DISCUSS THEIR RESPECTIVE TITLE BOUTS ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 AT THE JOINT AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 1 AND FOX DEPORTES

LAS VEGAS (Sept. 10, 2014) - With a stacked card coming to The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino this Thursday, Luis "The Real King Kong" Ortiz, Lateef "Power" Kayode, Jesus "El Jinete" Cuellar and Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez sat down with the media in Las Vegas to discuss their respective title bouts airing live on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes. Here is what the fighters said Thursday: LUIS ORTIZ, Undefeated Heavyweight Contender "I have worked very hard for this fight and it's a great opportunity and I'm not going to waste it. "I have seen one or two of Kayode's fights and I am prepared. You will see my preparation materialize in the ring on Thursday night. "Kayode is a trash talker and I take that as a sign of weakness. "A lot of heavyweight fighters are in Cuba in amateur competitions, but I take pride in knowing that I am a professional Cuban heavyweight. "I am going to continue working and doing my part and fight whoever steps up.  I am the next heavyweight champion.  I am going to keep doing my part so I can get there." "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 KAYODE, Undefeated Heavyweight Contender "I feel as good as I did at cruiserweight, I'm still the same powerful guy. "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. It's not an easy task to fine-tune my brute force and strength but I feel great about where I am. "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." JESUS CUELLAR, WBA Interim Featherweight World Champion "I feel good and ready.  I have been training with Robert Garcia for this fight and we had a great camp. "I feel blessed that the Latino fans especially the Mexican fans have been following me and giving me the support I need. "I know that this is going to be a hard fight.  I've been training hard for it in intense camp and I'm here to do my job and take the victory home. "The fans expect me to show how I box and I am prepared to go the distance but I am also ready for it if it goes faster than that.   JUAN MANUEL LOPEZ, Former Two-Division World Champion "This is a difficult fight but I've been a two-division world champion, and I wasn't going to take easy fights that the public and my fans wouldn't respect. "We know 100 percent that my career is at stake and I can't afford a loss, but that's why we came ready and in the best possible shape. I don't want my career to end on a note like the Francisco Vargas loss. We know what's ahead of us and what this fight means. It's very important for me. "The person who I thought would have tried to convince me to retire was my mother. She's been my biggest supporter and my biggest fan. She was there at the Vargas fight, and I really thought she was going to try to convince me to stop boxing. But she's continued supporting and backing me 100 percent. "Of course, I want to go for one big payday and retire. That's every fighter's dream, to get the biggest payday and retire. I always said at 32 I'd like to retire, but things happened to stall that a little bit. But I'm not going to go past 34. I want to retire before then. "I see a very strong fighter in Jesus Cuellar. I see a young fighter that wants to be the best in the world and a champion. That makes him very dangerous. My advantage is that I've been here on this stage and the experience that I have at this level, you cannot buy it." # # # Ortiz vs. Kayode, a 12-round bout for the vacant WBA Heavyweight World Title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O'Reilly Auto Parts and Mexico, Live it to believe it!. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT. Tickets, priced at $95, $65, $35 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are on sale now and are available for purchase by visiting The Joint box office, calling 888.9.AXS.TIX or online at www.axs.com. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.comorwww.FOXSports.com follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing @MayweatherPromo, and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive and #OrtizKayode, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.comand visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @mayweatherpromotions and @Swanson_Comm. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1 and become a follower on Twitter at @FOXSports @FOXSports1 and @FOXSportsPR.

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach breaks down Lateef Kayode - Luis Ortiz

Las Vegas NV (September 8, 2014)--This Thursday night at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas,  World Boxing Association number-five ranked Heavyweight, undefeated Lateef "Power" Kayode (20-0, 16 KO's) will fight against fellow undefeated top rated contender Luis Ortiz (21-0, 18 KO's) for the WBA Interim Heavyweight title. The fight will headline a card that will be televised on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 9:30 PM ET. Kayode has been training hard for this major opportunity under Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach.   Roach is very optimistic about his fighters' chances of winning the title and subsequently becoming a major player in the Heavyweight division. Below is an interview with Roach detailing the fight.  News media may copy and paste the embedded link to their websites for journalistic use. Kayode is promoted by Greg Cohen Promotions. Freddie Roach talks about Kayode - Ortiz

SEPTEMBER 11 GOLDEN BOY LIVE! EVENT FROM THE JOINT AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO IN LAS VEGAS TO FEATURE SIX TELEVISED FIGHTS, INCLUDING TWO WORLD TITLE BOUTS ON FOX SPORTS 1 & FOX DEPORTES

Luis Ortiz vs. Lateef Kayode - Vacant WBA Heavyweight World Title Fight & Jesus Cuellar vs. Juan Manuel Lopez - WBA Interim Featherweight World Title To Headline Jam-Packed Card Also Featuring Jermall Charlo, Julian Williams, Errol Spence Jr. & Josesito Lopez Tickets Still Available Starting At Just $25! LAS VEGAS (Sept. 5, 2014) - The biggest fight of 2014 deserves the biggest fight week action, and Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions are pleased to announce that onThursday, September 11, just two days before "MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2,"Golden Boy Live! on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes will present an unprecedented lineup of six televised fights, including two world championship bouts. In the previously announced main event at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, unbeaten heavyweights Luis "The Real King Kong" Ortiz and Lateef "Power" Kayode will meet to face off for the vacant WBA Heavyweight World Title. Plus, the WBA Interim Featherweight World Title will be on the line in the co-main event between Buenos Aires'Jesus "El Jinete" Cuellar and Puerto Rico's Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez. Both bouts are scheduled for 12 rounds of action. Also stepping into the ring in separate televised bouts on this star-studded card will be Jermall Charlo, Julian "J Rock" Williams, Errol Spence Jr.and Josesito "The Riverside Rocky" Lopez. Making his second consecutive appearance in Las Vegas, Buenos Aires southpaw Jesus Cuellar (24-1, 18 KOs) is an experienced veteran of the fight game at just 27-years-old. With 24 victories and only one defeat, Cuellar is looking forward to make an even bigger name for himself by beating slugger Juan Manuel Lopez. A winner of seven straight, Cuellar won the interim WBA title in August of 2013 with a victory over unbeaten Claudio Marrero. After his win over Rico Ramos in May, he will now attempt to defend his belt for a third time on September 11. Winner of three of his last five bouts, a stretch that includes a March knockout over Daniel Ponce De Leon, 31-year-old southpaw Juan Manuel Lopez (34-4, 31 KOs) will attempt to make history again by taking a world title back home to Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Already a two-division world titleholder who has thrilled fans for years, the exciting knockout artist believes he has another great fight in him heading into his bout against Cuellar. Many believe Houston's Jermall Charlo (18-0, 14 KOs) should have been a world champion by now, but when IBF Junior Middleweight World Champion Carlos Molina was forced out of their March bout due to legal issues, the 24-year-old Charlo was forced to go back to the drawing board. A little over two weeks after his cancelled title fight, Charlo was back in the ring, stopping Hector Munoz in just two rounds and he expects another stellar performance onSeptember 11. The best prospect to emerge from Philadelphia since Unified Super Lightweight World Champion Danny Garcia, Julian Williams (16-0-1, 10 KOs) wants to follow in Garcia's footsteps and put a championship belt around his waist sooner rather than later. A knockout victor in his last three bouts over tough competition like Orlando Lora, Freddy Hernandez and Michael Medina, the 24-year-old junior middleweight will undoubtedly be bringing the thunder to Las Vegas next week when he takes on Eliezer Gonzalez (14-0, 9 Kos) of San Juan Puerto Rico in an eight round bout. 2012 U.S. Olympian Errol Spence Jr. (13-0, 10 KOs) has been making a steady climb up the 147-pound ladder since becoming a professional and after a shutout win over rugged veteran Ronald Cruz in June, the 24-year-old from Desoto, Texas native has proven that he's ready to take another step toward the top. Spence Jr. will face Noe Bolanos (26-10-1, 16 KOs) of Obregon, Mexico in an eight-round welterweight bout. A noted fan favorite for his exciting style and ability to triumph against the odds, 30-year-oldJosesito Lopez (32-6, 19 KOs) has won two fights straight since a courageous effort against Marcos Maidana in June of 2013, defeating Mike Arnaoutis and Aaron Martinez. On September 11, Lopez is back in action, and he is expected to open the Golden Boy Live! show in style. The first heavyweight to win four Michigan Golden Gloves titles and only the sixth in history to win the National Golden Gloves and USA Boxing National Championship in the same year, 25-year-old Jordan Shimmell (16-0, 13 KOs) is making big moves as a professional in the cruiserweight division, with 2014 wins over Damon Reed, Damon McCreary and Epifanio Mendoza setting up his first business fight in to Las Vegas. He will face Joell Godfrey (17-11-1, 6 Kos) of Fayetteville, North Carolinain an eight-round bout. Fresh from an impressive victory over Lenwood Dozier in August, Orocovis' Prichard "Digget" Colon (11-0, 10 KOs) may have gone the distance for the first time as a professional, but the 21-year-old wants to make a statement that his punching power is as potent as ever in an eight-round junior middleweight bout against an opponent to be named. In opening bouts Los Angeles' Oscar Negrete (6-0, 1 KO) will take on Gabriel Braxton (1-4) of Richmond, Virginia in a four round featherweight fight and Ft. Myers' Bryant Perrella (6-0, 5 KOs) will compete against an opponent to be named in a six round welterweight fight. Ortiz vs. Kayode, a 12-round bout for the vacant WBA Heavyweight World Title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and sponsored by Corona Extra, O'Reilly Auto Parts and the Mexican Tourism Board - Mexico: Live it to Believe It!. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT. Tickets, priced at $95, $65, $35 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are on sale now and are available for purchase by visiting The Joint box office, calling 888.9.AXS.TIX or online at www.axs.com. Remaining opponents will be announced shortly. For more information, visitwww.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.comor www.FOXSports.comfollow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing @MayweatherPromo, and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive and #OrtizKayode, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.comand visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @mayweatherpromotions and @Swanson_Comm. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1 and become a follower on Twitter at @FOXSports @FOXSports1 and @FOXSportsPR.

Undefeated Lateef Kayode ready for championship showdown with Luis Ortiz

For Immediate Release Hollywood, CA (August 27, 2014)--World Boxing Association number-five ranked Heavyweight, undefeated Lateef "Power" Kayode (20-0, 16 KO's) has been preparing for WBA Interim Heavyweight championship bout against fellow undefeated top rated contender Luis Ortiz ((21-0, 18 KO's) on September 11 at  Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. The resident of Hollywood, California and native of Lagos, Nigeria has been prepping for this major opportunity at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood under the watchful eye of Hall of Fame trainer, Freddie Roach. "It's going to be a great fight for both of us.  It is a great opportunity to prove myself in the Heavyweight division," said Kayode. Despite moving up from Cruiserweight, Kayode is not at all intimidated by Ortiz who will have close to a three-inch and 20-plus pound weight advantage. "He is strong and big.  I know that and it doesn't concern me at all.  I spar a lot of big guys out here and I am used to it." Kayode knows that a win over Ortiz will be the gateway for major opportunities in the Heavyweight division. "I have been doing my job as I know this is a big opportunity.  This fight will give me a Heavyweight title belt and that will only lead me into bigger fights." Kayode gives a lot of credit to the man who helped secure this opportunity.  That being his promoter Greg Cohen. Cohen has a great history in the Heavyweight division as he has worked with Hasim Rahman, Shannon Briggs, James Toney and Samuel Peter to name a few. Said Cohen, "Lateef is a bonafide Heavyweight with one punch power in either hand.  Most people don't realize that the majority of his 21 fights have taken place at heavyweight (12 out of 21).  After speaking with Freddie over the past few months, he implored me to do whatever needed to be done to secure the Ortiz fight, as Freddie believes the styles match up perfectly for Lateef to be successful. Both fighters are undefeated, extremely strong & both guys know that it's sink or swim time. At the end of the day I think Lateef's power and execution of Freddie's game plan will be the difference in the fight. It Won't be easy, but onSeptember 11th,  I expect Lateef's hand to be raised in victory and a new major player in the Heavyweight division will have arrived." "I want to thank Greg Cohen for putting this together and I know on September 11, I will come out victorious.  It is an Opportunity that I have to take.", continued Kayode. The fight will kick off a monstrous fight weekend in Las Vegas as it will be a prelude to the rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Marcos Maidana that will take place two nights later at the MGM Grand. "I want to thank the fans that will come to and watch our fight.  It will be the start of a great boxing weekend.  They say nobody wants to fight Ortiz.  Well I am not scared and I will be there.  I am not scared of anybody." Kayode has much riding on the fight as he wants to follow in the footsteps of Peter and become the 2nd Heavyweight champion from Nigeria. "My people back home will be very happy.  For me to come home with the Heavyweight championship would be great.  I am going to prove to everybody that I am the best and I will bring that title home to Nigeria.", finished Kayode.

A VACANT WBA INTERIM HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WILL BE ON THE LINE WHEN UNDEFEATED TOP CONTENDERS LUIS ORTIZ AND LATEEF KAYODE MEET AT THE JOINT AT HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 1 AND FOX DEPORTES

MORE FIGHT WEEK 'MAYHEM' IN LAS VEGAS Tickets Are On Sale Now! LAS VEGAS (Aug. 20) - Unbeaten heavyweights Luis Ortiz and Lateef Kayode will meet at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to battle for the vacant WBA Interim Heavyweight World Title in the main event of Golden Boy Live! on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes, Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions announced today. The fight will be held on Thursday, September 11, just two days Before"MAYHEM: Mayweather vs. Maidana 2" takes over Las Vegas on Saturday, September 13.   "The heavyweight championship has long been the most prestigious title in all of boxing and Luis Ortiz and Lateef Kayode will be bringing it in order to win that belt and put their names in the history books," said Oscar De La Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. "This is the perfect way to kick off a great weekend of boxing in Las Vegas."   "We are happy to work with Golden Boy to continue the tradition of not one but two fights in Las Vegas the week of a Floyd Mayweather pay-per-view event," said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. "We want to keep the fans who come from near and far entertained all week long and there is no better way to do that than with a heavyweight title fight."   "A lot of great fighters have come before me and won the heavyweight title and to have the chance to join them is an honor," said the number two-ranked Ortiz. "I will fight my heart out for this championship and I won't disappoint my fans, friends or family."   "I've waited a long time for a fight like this and I feel that this is finally my chance to shine," said the number five-ranked Kayode. "Before Mayweather and Maidana fight on Saturday, I will set the stage for them with a big win and a championship that will have the world talking." Ortiz vs. Kayode, a 12-round bout for the vacant WBA Interim Heavyweight World Title, is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Mayweather Promotions, in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and sponsored by Corona and O'Reilly Auto Parts. The FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes broadcast airs live at 9:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. PT. Tickets, priced at $95, $65, $35 and $25, not including applicable service charges and taxes are on sale now and are available for purchase by visiting The Joint box office, calling 888.9.AXS.TIX or online at www.axs.com. With over 340 amateur wins in his native Cuba, 35-year-old Luis Ortiz (21-0, 18 KOs) knows more about boxing than practically anyone in the heavyweight division as evidenced by his 21 wins. Now the 6-foot-4 southpaw has his shot at championship gold and after back-to-back knockouts of Alex Gonzales and Monte Barrett respectively, it's clear that the Miami resident isn't content with just winning a decision on September 11. A native of Lagos, Nigeria who now makes his home in Hollywood, California, 31-year-old Lateef "Power" Kayode (20-0, 16 KOs) is a hard-hitting contender whose six-year professional career includes wins over Matt Godfrey, Felix Cora Jr. and Alfredo Escalera Jr., as well as several regional titles at cruiserweight. Now competing at heavyweight, where he has knocked out his last two opponents, Kayode is one win away from becoming a world champion. A full undercard will be announced shortly. For more information, visit www.goldenboypromotions.com, www.mayweatherpromotions.com or www.FOXSports.com follow on Twitter at @GoldenBoyBoxing @MayweatherPromo, and follow the conversation using #GoldenBoyLive and #OrtizKayode, become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoldenBoyBoxing, www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions.comand visit us on Instagram @GoldenBoyBoxing, @mayweatherpromotions and @Swanson_Comm. For more information on FOX Sports 1 visit www.FOXSports.com/FOXSports1 and become a follower on Twitter at @FOXSports @FOXSports1 and @FOXSportsPR.

Cohen Congratulates Kayode for Second Win as Heavyweight

Promoter Greg Cohen wishes to congratulate his heavyweight, undefeated Lateef "Power" Kayode (20-0, 16 KOs), for his sixth-round TKO over Jonte Willis on Friday night, January 10, at "Battle at the Boat 94" at the Emerald Queen Hotel & Casino in Tacoma, Washington.

Fighting in front of a standing-rooom-only crowd, as well as a worldwide audience watching on ESPN Friday Night Fights, Kayode finally secured the referee's stoppage at 1:07 of the fight's scheduled final round.

Cohen says Kayode's second fight as a heavyweight went according to plan, as the tough Willis was able to go some rounds before succumbing to the Nigerian Kayode's well-documented power.

"We knew Willis would be durable, he's been in with several big punchers and gone the distance," said Cohen. "Lateef did a good job softening him up and ultimately getting him out of there quicker than anyone ever has. I was very pleased with Lateef's performance."

Cohen says the show was a tremendous success in every way and he wishes to thank his promotional partners, Brian Halquist Productions, GH3 Promotions and DiBella Entertainment for their support.

"That was a terrific venue and the people we worked with couldn't have been better. GCP hopes to be back there soon with another world-class event."

Top Super Featherweight Arash Usmanee to Face Mexican Slugger Juan Antonio Rodriguez on Friday Night Fights, January 10 at Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington

On Friday, January 10, promoters Greg Cohen Promotions, DiBella Entertainment, Brian Halquist Productions, GH3 Promotions will proudly present "Battle at the Boat 94", a night of high-level professional boxing, televised live, worldwide by ESPN in the I-5 Showroom of the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Washington. In the night's main event, IBF #8-ranked Afghani-Canadian Arash Usmanee (20-1-1, 10 KOs) will face Mexican KO artist Juan Antonio "El Mozo" Rodriguez (25-4, 23 KOs) in a 10-round super featherweight battle. And in the televised co-feature, longtime top contender and Erik Morales conqueror Zahir "Z-Man" Raheem (34-3, 21 KOs), the former Philadelphian turned hometown Tacoma hero, will continue his comeback against an opponent that is TBA. On the undercard, former top cruiserweight contender Lateef "Power" Kayode (19-0, 15 KOs) will make the second appearance of his heavyweight campaign. 31-year-old Usmanee, was born in Afghanistan, is now based in Montreal, but trains in Las Vegas with former champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad. He was last seen fighting to a draw with current IBF Super Featherweight Champion, Argenis Mendez, in August of 2013. In a battle many felt the aggressive Usmanee had won, the fight was declared a majority draw with one judge scoring for Usmanee. Puebla, Mexico's hard-punching southpaw Juan Antonio Rodriguez was last seen n November of this year, scoring a TKO 4 over Javier Mercado at the Centro de Convenciones IMSS, in Tlalpan, Mexico. Rodriguez has been very competitive against top level opposition including former IBF Featherweight Champion Billy Dib, but has just fallen short. The fight against Usmanee will be his chance to join the upper ranks of the division. 37-year-old Zahir "Z Man" Raheem was a top-level featherweight for many years and scored a nationally televised win over all-time-great Erik Morales and dropped a highly questionable decision to multi-world champion Acelino Freitas. He began his comeback earlier this year and has notched three victories since stepping away in 2010. He was last seen scoring an impressive TKO 2 over Tim Coleman at the Emerald Queen Casino. Undefeated 30-year-old Nigerian Lateef Kayode is best known for fighting to a draw with world champion and Roy Jones conqueror Antonio Tarver in June 2012. Kayode began campaigning as a heavyweight earlier this month and scored a devastating TKO 2 over Travis Fulton at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California.  "I am happy to be working with so many great promotional firms to bring this sensational event to the fans in Tacoma. We are expecting a total sell-out, standing room only." said event promoter Greg Cohen. "Arash Usmanee is the uncrowned champion of the world and I congratulate ESPN for recognizing his importance and putting him in another main event of one of their exceptional broadcasts. The entire night will be terrific. There is also a full undercard of local prospects. I expect this to be one of the best shows of the year." "We are very excited to be working with Friday Night Fights once again," said Brian Halquist. "We have now been working with Zahir for over a year now and are absolutely ready for a national showcase. Being 3-0 with 3 knockouts, Zahir has done everything we have asked of him and more. After Zahir defeated Morales there were always questions surrounding a Raheem vs. Pacquiao fight, leaving behind some unfinished business. He belongs on the world stage and that's where we're going to take him." Tickets for "Battle at the Boat 94" are available through Ticketmaster and start at $35. All bouts are subject to change. The Emerald Queen Casino is located at 2024 E. 29th St, in Tacoma. This event will begin at 6:00 pm (PST). Visit GCPboxing.com for more information. This event is for persons 21 years of age and older. No one under 21 will be admitted.

Cohen Congratulates Lateef Kayode for Impressive Heavyweight Debut

Promoter Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions wishes to congratulate his fighter, undefeated Lateef "Power" Kayode (19-0, 15 KOs) for his impressive heavyweight-debut victory on Friday night (December 6). Fighting for the first time in 18 months and now as a heavyweight, Kayode scored a TKO 2 over journeyman Travis Fulton (21-34, 20 KOs) at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, California. Looking sleek and powerful at his new weight class, Kayode put Fulton down in the first and finished him at 1:33 of the second. "Lateef announced his arrival at heavyweight the way he should: with a fearsome beatdown," said Cohen. "The fans at the Chumash on Friday got a good reminder why he's never lost a fight." Cohen says Kayode will have a few more fights at the new weight and then start looking for some high-profile showdowns. "Lateef was out for a while and he's shaking off the ring rust, but by the second quarter of next year he'll be ready for any heavyweight in the world." The eye-catching stoppage victory was also Kayode's first under the Greg Cohen promotional banner.