Cruiserweight contender Matt “Too Smooth” Godfrey (20-2, 14 KOs) is remarkably honest about his upcoming fight.
The Providence, Rhode Island, native will face the formidable Lateef “Power” Kayode (16-0, 14 KOs) on June 10 in the 10-round main event at Chumash Resort Casino in Santa Ynez, California, and live on the popular SHOWTIME series ShoBox: The New Generation at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Why, does Godfrey think, would Kayode’s team choose him as an opponent, coming off what some called a disappointing performance against Nick Iannuzzi in which he was taken the distance for the first time.
“They have a lot invested in him,” he explains. “They have a lot of confidence in him and they have to move him along. They can’t put him in with guys who are going to fall down. They’re taking a huge step up in facing me and I applaud them for it.”
In fact, Godfrey says despite his wealth of greater experience, he’s not at all bothered by being chosen as an opponent that Team Kayode thinks will make their fighter look good. “Not at all. I understand the business of the game. I’m coming off a knockout loss. He has a lot of power probably and they’re probably hoping to capitalize on something they saw in my last fight. I don’t feel any disrespect at all.”
Godfrey even admits he’s a fan of Kayode’s work.
“For the limited amount of experience, he really can fight. He’s good with the basics. He uses the fundamentals really well. He has a great jab. He works behind certain punches and doesn’t seem to get rattled in there. I’m impressed with him. He makes for a dangerous fight because he has power.”
Despite all the respect he pays his foe, Godfrey says he’ll prove to be too much to bite off for the red-hot, but relatively new prospect.
“I think in this fight, my experience is going to take over. I’ve been trough some adversity in my fights, getting off the canvas, having my eye shut in the first round and coming back to win it. That experience will help power me through this fight. He has had an easy time all the way through. I haven’t.”
Showdown in the Valley is proudly presented by Gary Shaw Productions.
Tickets to Showdown in the Valley are priced at $35, $45, $55, $70 and $85 and are available by visiting the Chumash Casino Resort’s Club Chumash, logging on to www.chumashcasino.com or by calling StarTicketsPlus at 1-800-585-3737.
On fight night, first bout starts at 5:30 p.m. All bouts subject to change.
For more information on Gary Shaw Productions, visit www.garyshawproductions.com.
Tyson Fury News
London (7th June) Heavyweight Sensation Tyson Fury will be flying out to Spain later this week ahead of his upcoming British and Commonwealth Heavyweight title showdown against Dereck Chisora on Saturday 23rd July at Wembley Arena, to take part in this year’s Max Clifford Celebrity Golf Challenge.
This year’s event in aid of the Rhys Daniels Trust will be held at the luxurious La Cala Golf resort, Costa de Sol, Marbella in Spain.
Tyson Fury said “I’m Looking forward to going out to Spain and supporting Max and the Rhys Daniels Trust and cannot wait to play golf again, at such a great course, I’ve done a lot of hard training and sparring up to this point, so I’m going to use this time to have a rest and enjoy myself and hopefully help raise loads of money for such a great charity.”
“Not sure if my golf is going to be on it’s A game or not, but I do know come the 23rd July I will be on my A game in the ring and will be knocking Del Boy Chisora out cold. “added Tyson
Tyson will be joined by a host of celebrities including Stacey Solomon, Nick Knowles, Gareth Gates, Rodney Marsh, Chris Simmons, Craig Fairbrass, Dave Beasant, DJ Spoony and former page 3 beauty Linda Lusardi.
PRIZEFIGHTER WELTERWEIGHTS II IS SOLD-OUT
Boxing fans have snapped up all the tickets for tonight’s Eddie Hearn promoted Prizefighter Welterweights II show at York Hall, Bethnal Green – the final show of the series is a complete sell-out.
The 19th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournament sees an all-star cast of fighters line-up to claim the £32,000 winner’s cheque, with the action live on Sky Sports 2 and HD2 from 8pm.
Fans with tickets for the night should get there early to get a seat, with doors opening at 6.30pm.
The opening quarter-final of the night sees former British champion Kevin McIntyre face unbeaten Essex man John-Wayne Hibbert. The winner of that bout will take on either former WBC World champ Junior Witter or Aylesbury’s Nathan Graham in the first semi-final.
Witter’s old foe Colin Lynes is in the third quarter-final, and the Prizefighter Lightweight runner-up takes on unbeaten Cheshunt fighter Bobby Gladman. The winner of that bout will reach the second semi-final against fancied Moroccan-born Islington boxer Yassine El Maachi and Bermondsey-based Irishman Peter McDonagh.
Prizefighter Welterweights II weigh-in results
Kevin McIntyre (10st 8lb 15oz) v John-Wayne Hibbert (10st 9lb)
Junior Witter (10st 8lb 2oz) v Nathan Graham (10st 9lb)
Colin Lynes (10st 8lb 2oz) v Bobby Gladman (10st 8lb 2oz)
Yassine El Maachi (10st 8lb 14oz) v Peter McDonagh (10st 8lb 6oz)
Reserves:
Chas Symonds (10st 8lb 14oz) and James Flinn (10st 8lb 6oz)