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.”
