By Ryan Burton

BoxingScene.com was advised by a reliable source that Sauerland Event extended an offer to undefeated prospect Lateef Kayode (16-0) to face WBO champion Marco Huck (31-1) in April. The offer was declined by Kayode's promoter Gary Shaw.

I asked Shaw if the offer was turned down for monetary reasons or the fact that Kayode only has 16 pro fights and may not be quite ready to face the vastly more experienced Huck.  Shaw told BoxingScene, "Both. Not enough money and the right fight but at the wrong time."

Shaw feels that Kayode is close to being ready for a title shot. Shaw told BoxingScene, "I think Lateef will be ready after two or three more fights.  We definitely will be interested."

Kayode's manager Steven Feder of Standing Eight Management feels that Huck is trying to fight the Nigerian before he is ready for a title fight. 

"Huck is just trying to catch Lateef before he gets any more experience and he knows its a good PR move for him."

He feels that Gary Shaw and his matchmaker John Beninati know how to build a champion and will get Kayode the fights he needs to prepare him for a title shot. 

"Gary Shaw and John Beninati know what they are doing. They are building a champion and that takes a deliberate and patient plan. We're not going on anyone else's agenda except our own."

Feder went on to break down Huck's career. He told BoxingScene that he wants the fans to understand how Huck's career has been moved along.

"I would challenge anyone to study Huck's career and see who he faced at the same point in his career (as Kayode). He was 20 fights in before he faced anyone, then Steve Cunningham stopped him in the 12th. Every time he stepped up in competition he went the distance. Gee, I wonder how three American judges might have scored the Lebedev fight? Split decision my ass. Ola Afolabi took him the distance and had he not waited he would have dropped Huck."

Feder thinks Kayode has faced better competition than Huck did at the same point.  Iannuzzi was 16-1 when Kayode faced him on Friday. 

"Look up Rachid El Hadak. That was Huck's sixteenth fight. His seventeenth was against Pietro Aurino, a shot 5 ft 11 southpaw with a 39% KO ratio whose previous bout was against Olivier Brown 2-3-0. Aurino was who Huck's people thought he could handle to fight for a vacant EBU-EU yada yada cruiserweight title. His next three fights were against a Swiss journeyman who took him the distance, then Tokarev who was 35 and couldn't crack an egg and even he took him 12 rounds for a majority decision then came Cunningham's TKO."

Feder took it a step further when he issued his own challenge to the Germany based Huck.

"Here's my offer. When we have twenty fights under our belt, we'll give Huck a wake up call just like Cunningham did. I assume his number hasn't changed. It is still 1-800-Germany right? Boxing fans should take a real good look at that record, the close decisions and the fact that his travel agent doesn't seem to be able to book a single international flight."

Feder feels a neutral venue would be fair for all parties involved. 

"Freddie (Roach) is from Boston.  Gary (Shaw) is from Jersey and I'm from New York. Since we can't fight in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean unless Mr. Huck owns a yacht, I'd say Connecticut is neutral territory. Try American Airlines. I hear they have a good round trip airfare and if not he can use my advantage miles."

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