No Holds Barred: Lateef Kayode, Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright, Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin, Froch-Bute Classic

(Photo courtesy of Showtime)

On this edition of No Holds Barred, host Eddie Goldman speaks previews the Lateef Kayode-Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright-Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin, and Vusi Malinga-Leo Santa Cruz fights scheduled for June 2, and reviews the dramatic fifth-round TKO by Carl Froch over previously-unbeaten Lucian Bute on May 26.

Lateef Kayode and Antonio Tarver headline a four-fight card to be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California, and shown in the U.S. on Showtime.

The 43-year-old veteran Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20 KOs) will face the 29-year-old unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KOs), who was originally from Nigeria, in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, with major title implications. After losing his last two fights and taking a three-year layoff, the 40-year-old Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KOs) will return to action to fight the undefeated 28-year-old Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (26-0, 20 KOs) in a middleweight bout. Also on that card, 32-year-old South African Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KOs) fights the 23-year-old unbeaten Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KOs) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title, and unbeaten WBA super welterweight champ Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KOs) takes on challenger Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KOs).

With the return of the veterans Tarver and Wright, the appearance by African fighters Kayode and Malinga, and the presence of unbeaten rising stars Quillin, Santa Cruz, and Trout, plus the always-exciting Rodriguez, this show has the makings of an historic night of boxing.

We have comments and discussion by Lateef Kayode, Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright, Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin, Vusi Malinga, and Leo Santa Cruz from their media conference calls held last week. There are many story lines here which will begin to be played out in the ring.

In addition, we open with a commentary on the instant classic between Carl Froch and Lucian Bute. Froch, fighting in his home town of Nottingham, England, but the underdog against the then-unbeaten IBF super middleweight champ Bute, completely dominated this action-packed fight, finishing with a fifth-round TKO in a fight of the year candidate.

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.

Antonio Tarver, Delvin Rodriguez & Vusi Malinga "Four Warned" Workout Quotes

Antonio Tarver, Delvin Rodriguez & Vusi Malinga "Four Warned"

Former light heavyweight kingpin Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver, hard-hitting world title challenger Delvin Rodriguez and IBF No. 1 rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga hosted a workout for the Southern California media at The Rock in Carson, Calif., as they wind down preparations for “Four Warned,” the upcoming June 2 Quadrupleheader which will be telecast live on SHOWTIME^® (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

“Four Warned,” a rare four-fight SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast, features former Light Heavyweight World Champion Antonio “Magic Man” Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) facing unbeaten Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) in a 12-round cruiserweight fight, former undisputed junior middleweight kingpin Winky Wright (51-5-1, 25 KO’s) returning to the ring to meet undefeated Peter Quillin (26-0, 20 KO’s) in a middleweight bout, Austin Trout (24-0, 14 KO’s) risking his perfect record and WBA Super Welterweight belt against Delvin Rodriguez (26-5-3, 14 KO’s) and IBF number one rated bantamweight contender Vusi Malinga (20-3, 12 KO’s) facing IBF number five rated bantamweight contender Leo Santa Cruz (19-0-1, 11 KO’s) for the vacant IBF bantamweight title. All four bouts are set for Saturday, June 2, airing live on SHOWTIME (9:00 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the West Coast) from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. “Four Warned” is presented by A.T. Entertainment, Golden Boy Promotions and Gary Shaw Productions with Trout vs. Rodriguez being presented in association with Greg Cohen Promotions and Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing and Malinga vs. Santa Cruz being presented in association with Branco Sports Productions. The event is sponsored by Corona and AT&T.

Here’s what Tarver and Malinga had to say on Tuesday:

TARVER:

“When you’re fighting me, you have to have your emotions in check. It’s not checkers, it’s chess.

“I’m too old to run. I’m not going to go anywhere. I’m in this until the end.

“He’s never fought anyone with my speed, my power. The chin is not a muscle – when you get hit you get knocked out.

“He has a hell of a fight on his hands and I don’t think he’s prepared for it. He wouldn’t listen to my advice when I gave it to him [as a commentator] on ShoBox (The New Generation) and now he’s going to go back to school. I’ll teach him a few things on Saturday.

“A lot of people don’t realize what type of champion I am. You don’t become a five-time champion by accident. I’m going to add to my legacy on June 2.

“You can’t handicap me because of my age. The proof is in the pudding. I was too old when I started in ’96 and I’m too old now. I’m not stopping until I’m the heavyweight champ.

“Whatever he brings, it won’t be enough. The magic carpet ride continues on June 2.

“I’m not giving up until I win that heavyweight title. I’ll stop when I lose to a better man and that hasn’t happened yet.

“I got a few tricks up my sleeve and I’ll reveal one on June 2.”

MALINGA:

“Training was superb. We trained very hard for this fight. We arrived in the U.S. on Sunday and we are ready to go.

“I’m very excited to fight here and make my U.S. debut. I plan to show the fans what they’ve been missing.

“I don’t know anything about him (Santa Cruz) except that he’s right handed, but I’m preparing for anything. I’m very fit and ready to fight.

“It’s very important for me to win my U.S. debut. I must win in order to come back again and fight.”

♔EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess♔, See you at the Fights and Thank You for your time.EL Boxing Empress Online @ Twitter http://www.twitter.com/Keishamorrisey ©®™ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 All photos other than specified by "EL Boxing Empress & MMA Princess" Keisha Morrisey, for ♔Empire Morrisey Photo-Studios♔, KCKMT for Bloodline Boxing Communications Entertainment and ★Starlite★ Boxing's Sweetscience Magnews-Online Publication all rights reserved.