Fres Oquendo (born April 1, 1973) is a Puerto Rican professional heavyweight boxer. He had a successful amateur record before turning professional in 1997. He unsuccessfully challenged three times for world heavyweight titles.

Fres Oquendo
Born
Fres Oquendo

(1973-04-01) April 1, 1973 (age 51)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesFast Fres
The Big O
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Reach80 in (203 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights45
Wins37
Wins by KO24
Losses8

Amateur career

edit

He had an amateur record of 105-5:

  • 1990: 178 lb. Springfield Golden Gloves Champion
  • 1992: 178 lb. Chicago City Golden Glove Champion
  • 1993: Chicago City Golden Glove 201 lb.+ Super Heavyweight Champion
  • 1993: National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion
  • 1995: Chicago City Golden Glove 201 lb.+ Super Heavyweight Champion

Professional career

edit

Known as "Fast Fres" and "The Big O", Oquendo won his first 22 professional bouts, including impressive victories over Duncan Dokiwari, Bert Cooper, Clifford Etienne, David Izon, and Obed Sullivan. In 2002, while at his peak, Oquendo took on David Tua. Oquendo controlled the fight until the 9th round when Tua caught him with a series of heavy blows causing the fight to be stopped. Oquendo was noticeably unsteady on his feet after the stoppage and had to hold the top rope to stay upright.[1]

In 2003, Oquendo came from behind to KO Maurice Harris in the 10th, setting up a shot at IBF heavyweight title holder Chris Byrd. In a close fight, Byrd won a decision to keep his IBF belt. In 2004, Oquendo got another shot at a belt against WBA heavyweight title holder John Ruiz, losing by TKO in round 11. Oquendo then took 2 years off for surgery to repair a torn lab-rum, returning early 2006. Quick wins against Brazilian champ Daniel Bispo and then Javier Mora set up a fight against Evander Holyfield, which Holyfield won by unanimous decision on November 10, 2006, at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. He almost called off the fight as suggested by the UCLA Medical Center due to tonsillitis and strep-throat but decided to fight anyway. He again gained the WBC-WBO Latino belt in 2007, after defeating Dominique Alexander then following it up with a win against Cuban Elisier Castillo. In a grueling ESPN bout in Miami, Florida, Oquendo outlasted Castillo. In late 2008, Oquendo lost a fight to James Toney on December 13, by split decision. He was deducted a point in the 8th round for a questionable rabbit punch, and the fight was labeled the robbery of the year. Oquendo was seen as winning by Versus viewers and by all press row. Versus analysts 115-113 & 116-112 respectively and compubox numbers had overwhelmingly favored Oquendo.

Oquendo fought Bruce Seldon on July 24, 2009, in a Regional Title bout which was officiated by fellow Carl Schurz High School Graduate, Alma Mater, World Class referee Pete Podgorski. Oquendo defeated Seldon by knockout in the 9th round in a bout which Seldon took a knee in round 8 and in round 9 was knocked down and counted out. In 2010 Oquendo became only the 2nd man in 35 Pro fights to stop Demetrice King and gain the USBA & NABA titles. He then fought former champion Jean-Marc Mormeck and lost in a fight that Dan Rafael called candidate for "robbery of the year". Oquendo then fought former heavyweight champion Oliver McCall in another split decision loss in December 2010.

In 2011, Oquendo has remained dormant choosing to help prepare former WBA champion David Haye at the World Famous Angelo Dundee's 5th St. Gym, where he himself trains, then fly to Austria to help WBC champion Vitali Klitschko prepare for his victory over Tomasz Adamek in Poland. As of June 2011, Fres had more rounds boxed as a Heavyweight than any of the 3 Heavyweight Champions and all of the top 10 Heavyweights in all 4 major governing bodies and is the only heavyweight in history to hold the USBA, NABA, NABF, WBC, WBA & WBO Latino belts. He is a 2 time World title Challenger and has been ranked as high as number 3 in Ring Magazine.

In 2012, Oquendo made his return to the ring with a 2nd round DQ, (originally scored a TKO) against World Record holder Travis Fulton. Oquendo broke Fulton's nose in the 1st round and proceeded to land un-answered punches. In round 2, although Fulton was game, Oquendo proved too much for the experienced boxer. An MMA takedown of Oquendo and excessive holding Fulton finally succumbed to Oquendo's arsenal. It was all over when the Ref waved it off. Fulton thanked Oquendo for the opportunity. Oquendo had two consecutive win in 2012, one against Joey Abell to win the WBA Fedelatin Championship via TKO and followed up by a stoppage of veteran Robert Hawkins. Oquendo broke his hand in the 3rd round, yet still managed to stop the tough and durable Hawkins. Oquendo fought June 8, 2013 to defend his WBA Fedelatin and also fight for the NABA and WBC US Silver belt.[citation needed]

In a tough fight against a durable Derric Rossy, Oquendo slipped and tore his meniscus in round 3 and fought 7 rounds with little movement. The fight was close as Rossy seemed to take Oquendo's best shots and give back as much. When the decision came in Oquendo got the nod in a fight he had to show heart fighting injured. He began training and expected to have a great 2014 hopefully fighting for the WBA World Championship, the WBC World Championship or the WBC World Cup Tournament where he would represent his division and country.[citation needed]

On May 10, 2014, Oquendo fought Galen Brown. Oquendo won via a second-round TKO.[2] On July 6, 2014, Oquendo fought former champion Ruslan Chagaev, for the vacant WBA world heavyweight title. Chagaev was the more aggressive fighter in the first four rounds of the fight. The remainder of the fight saw both boxers having their ups and downs but Oquendo took over the fight. In the end, two of the judges saw Chagaev as the winner by a slim margin, both scoring it 115–113, while the third judge had it 114–114, ultimately leading to a majority-decision win for Chagaev. oquendo was not paid his full $1,000,000 purse and sued the promoter and Chechnyan government in the Southern District of Court in a landmark case which Oquendo won. This forced the WBA and the Chagaev team ro a rematch however Chagaev retired. [3]

In September 2018, Oquendo was slated to fight Manuel Charr for the WBA heavyweight title, but the fight was called off after Charr tested positive for a banned substance. Due to an ongoing Federal case. Oquendo has been embattled in this case. [4]

In 2019 Fres Oquendo started the Fres Oquendo Boxing Academy (FOBA) which inspires youths to say no to drugs and gangs through Boxing.

In 2023, Mauricio Sulaiman and the WBC, after 20 years after fighting and being robbed on HBO against Chris Byrd,(Which he acknowledged subsequently) Oquendo was awarded THE WBC HEAVYWEIGHT BELT and officially is now a World Champion. Oquendo is now fighting for the WBA and the IBF to follow suit making up for the travesty that happened in the past.

Professional boxing record

edit
37 Wins (24 knockouts), 8 Losses, 0 Draws [1]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 37–8   Ruslan Chagaev MD 12 07/06/2014   Grozny, Russia For vacant WBA (Regular) World Heavyweight title.
Win 37–7   Galen Brown TKO 2 (8) 10/05/2014   Memorial Hall, Kansas City, Kansas, United States
Win 36–7   Derric Rossy UD 10 08/06/2013   Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana, United States Retained WBA Fedelatin heavyweight title and won vacant NABA Heavyweight title.
Win 35–7   Robert Hawkins RTD 7 (10) 18/08/2012   Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana, United States
Win 34–7   Joey Abell TKO 9 (10) 25/05/2012   Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana, United States Won vacant WBA Fedelatin heavyweight title.
Win 33–7   Travis Fulton DQ 2 (4) 03/03/2012   Dance Land Ballroom, Davenport, Iowa, United States
Loss 32–7   Oliver McCall SD 12 07/12/2010   Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hollywood, Florida, United States For vacant IBF Inter-Continental Heavyweight title.
Loss 32–6   Jean-Marc Mormeck UD 12 06/05/2010   Halle Georges Carpentier, Paris, France
Win 32–5   Demetrice King RTD 9 (12) 20/02/2010   Horseshoe Hammond, Hammond, Indiana, United States King did not come out at the bell for the 10th round. Retained NABA Heavyweight title & won vacant USBA Heavyweight title.
Win 31–5   Bruce Seldon KO 9 (10) 24/07/2009   UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States Won interim NABA Heavyweight title. Seldon down in 8th & 9th rounds. Referee:Pete Podgorski
Win 30–5   Mark Brown TKO 3 (10) 26/06/2009   UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, United States Retained WBC Latino Heavyweight title.
Loss 29–5   James Toney SD 12 13/12/2008   Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, United States For vacant IBA & WBO NABO Heavyweight titles. Oquendo lost point in 8th round for rabbit punch.
Win 29–4   Dominique Alexander KO 3 (8) 18/07/2008   Buffalo Bill's Star Arena, Primm, Nevada, United States
Win 28–4   Elieser Castillo UD 10 20/07/2007   Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium, Miami, Florida, United States Retained WBO Latino Heavyweight title & won vacant WBC Latino Heavyweight title.
Win 27–4   Damian Norris TKO 6 (10) 02/05/2007   Mahi Temple Shrine Auditorium, Miami, Florida, United States
Loss 26–4   Evander Holyfield UD 12 10/11/2006   Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas, United States For vacant USBA Heavyweight title. Oquendo down once in round 1.
Win 26–3   Javier Mora UD 10 25/05/2006   Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, United States Won vacant WBO Latino Heavyweight title.
Win 25–3   Daniel Bispo TKO 9 (10) 16/02/2006   Grand Ballroom, New York, New York, United States
Loss 24–3   John Ruiz TKO 11 (12) 17/04/2004   Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, United States For WBA World Heavyweight title.
Loss 24–2   Chris Byrd UD 12 20/09/2003   Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Connecticut, United States For IBF Heavyweight title.
Win 24–1   Maurice Harris KO 10 (12) 01/03/2003   Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Harris was knocked down in 4th & 10th rounds. Harris was ahead on all the scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
Win 23–1   George Arias TKO 11 (12) 14/12/2002   Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Won vacant WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight title. Arias cut over right eye and referee stops contest.
Loss 22–1   David Tua TKO 9 (12) 13/04/2002   Mountaineer Casino Racetrack and Resort, Chester, West Virginia, United States Lost NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 22–0   David Izon TKO 3 (10) 01/12/2001   Jacob Javits CenterNew York, New York, United States
Win 21–0   Obed Sullivan TKO 11 (12) 02/09/2001   Silverstar Hotel & Casino Choctaw, Mississippi, United States Won NABF Heavyweight title.
Win 20–0   Clifford Etienne TKO 8 (10) 23/03/2001   Texas Station Casino Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Etienne knocked down seven times, all by overhand rights: three times in the 1st round, once in the 2nd, once in the 3rd, once in the 7th and once in the 8th round.
Win 19–0   Willie Chapman KO 4 (6) 10/12/2000   Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, Illinois, United States Chapman down in 2nd & 3rd rounds. Chapman was dropped for the count in round 4 from a right uppercut-left hook combination.
Win 18–0   Ramon Garbey UD 10 25/06/2000   Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, Illinois, United States Both fighters down.
Win 17–0   Dale Crowe UD 10 06/02/2000   Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, Illinois, United States
Win 16–0   Bert Cooper UD 10 16/10/1999   Star Plaza Theater Merrillville, Indiana, United States
Win 15–0   Phil Jackson UD 10 12/09/1999   Harrah's Casino Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 14–0   Craig Payne TKO 3 (6) 10/07/1999   Grand Victoria Casino Elgin, Illinois, United States
Win 13–0   Bradley Rone TKO 6 (6) 27/03/1999   Genesis Center Gary, Indiana, United States
Win 12–0   Everett Martin UD 6 20/03/1999   New Frontier Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 11–0   Duncan Dokiwari UD 6 16/01/1999   MGM Grand Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 10–0   Louis Monaco PTS 6 11/12/1998   Pueblo, Colorado, United States
Win 9–0   Bruce Douglas TKO 1 (4) 13/11/1998   Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, United States
Win 8–0   Wesley Martin TKO 1 (4) 04/09/1998   Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, Florida, United States
Win 7–0   Val Smith TKO 2 (?) 12/06/1998   Belle of Baton Rouge Casino, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
Win 6–0   Richie Brown MD 4 27/03/1998   Trump Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 5–0   Rahman Green KO 4 (4) 27/03/1998   Trump Marina Hotel Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Green down twice in the 4th round.
Win 4–0   Sam Williams TKO 3 (6) 13/12/1997   Concord Plaza Expo Center, Northlake, Illinois, United States
Win 3–0   Jessie Henry TKO 4 (6) 14/11/1997   South Padre Island, Texas, United States
Win 2–0   Val Smith UD 4 07/06/1997   Hawthorne Race Course, Cicero, Illinois, United States
Win 1–0   Mark Johnson TKO 4 10/05/1997   Hawthorne Race Course, Moline, Illinois, United States

References

edit
  1. ^ Profile, cyberboxingzone.com. Accessed November 8, 2022.
  2. ^ "Oquendo vs Brown". Box.Live. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  3. ^ "Chagaev Edges Oquendo To Capture The WBA Crown". BoxingScene.com. 6 July 2014. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  4. ^ Cove, D. H.; Woods, K. L.; Chapel, H. M.; Hall, C. L. (1978-11-11). "Immune complexes in diabetic retinopathy". Lancet. 2 (8098): 1047. doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(78)92365-6. ISSN 0140-6736. PMID 82058. S2CID 41544957.

Sources

edit