By Dan Ambrose: IBO cruiserweight champion Antonio Tarver (29-6, 20 KO’s) defends his title tonight against #2 WBA, #8 WBO, #9 IBF cruiserweight contender Lateef Kayode (18-0, 14 KO’s) at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Tarver, 43, isn’t too worried about what Kayode will be bringing to the fight because he sees him as too flawed and too inexperienced to do much in this fight.

Tarver said to theledger.com “This guy is predicting he’s coming to knock me out in the fifth round. If he comes in with that kind of recklessness, he can be out before that because he’s never been hit by someone who can punch as hard as me. I’m a sharpshooter man, target oriented.”

Instead of worrying about the heavily muscled Kayode, Tarver is already targeting his next hoped for fight against IBF/WBA/WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko. Tarver wants to make quick work of Kayode without breaking a sweat and then shoot for a fight against the 6’6″ Wladimir, who at this point in his career may be the best heavyweight on the planet now that his brother WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko is finally starting to show his age.

At yesterday’s weigh-in, Tarver looked a little flabby around the midsection compared to the muscular Kayode. In looking at the two fighters it’s hard to imagine that Tarver could beat a fighter in as excellent shape as Kayode. However, this is a boxing match and not a bodybuilding contest.

Tarver is the much more accomplished fighter and the higher skilled boxer of the two. Kayode has one chance and that’s to try and wear Tarver down and take him out. Barring that, Kayode will get out-boxed tonight and will go home a loser.