Interview With Fres Oquendo
By Ed Ludwig
03.10.01 - Coming off two very impressive
victories, Fres Oquendo is proving to be a force in
the Heavyweight division. After defeating Clifford
Etienne on March 23rd and Obed Sullivan on September
2nd to capture the NABF title he has vaulted into
world title contention. With a record of 21-0 with
12 knockouts the future looks very bright. I had the
pleasure of speaking with him this week and I would
like to thank him for his time.
Ed Ludwig: Your victory over Obed
Sullivan was very impressive. Was the fight easier
than you thought it would be?
Fres Oquendo: I knew Sullivan was
coming into the fight in great shape. This was his
last hurrah and I trained very hard with Tito Trinidad’s
father and it was my main goal to win impressively.
EL: Many people thought you would
be a steppingstone for Clifford Etienne, how did that
make you feel?
FO: I felt disrespected and it made
me mad but more motivated. I showed the people on
March 23rd.
EL: Has there been any talks for
a rematch with Etienne?
FO: From a business standpoint his
people are eluding me. The Showtime contract should
have been mine but that’s the politics of boxing.
EL: Is the boxing media starting
to pay more attention to you?
FO: Yes, especially after my last
two big victories. After the Etienne fight, Larry
Merchant came up to me and shook my hand and said
to me “Great Fight”. It was a great moment
for me.
EL: You have dominated most of
your opponents, who was the toughest so far?
FO: All fights are very competitive
and I am blessed with the talent. The up and coming
fights early in my career were difficult.
EL: What are the odds of a Fres
Oquendo vs. Wladimir Klitschko showdown this December?
FO: If HBO wants to put on a big event
like this in December then money has to be right.
It’s economics. Right now the Klitschko fight
is still a question mark.
EL: If the Klitschko fight falls
through, will you defend your NABF title?
FO: I am ready to defend this December.
Maybe against Michael Moorer or Monte Barrett if they
want to step up and have a shot.
EL: Can over confidence be a problem
for fighters coming off a string of big victories?
FO: Oh yes, you need to settle down
because it can cause major setbacks. When you lose
you feel like nothing. Felix Trinidad had a devastating
loss and he was very confident before the fight. It
really depends on the person.
EL: Bernard Hopkins was very disrespectful
of Felix Trinidad and the Puerto Rican people. How
have you and Felix dealt with it?
FO: When Hopkins took the flag and
threw it down it was very humiliating and then at
the pre fight press conference he threw bags of beans
and rice at Tito. In the end Hopkins had his cake
and ate it too. Tito has been a hero to our people
and hopefully he will come back. He motivates me.
I am a natural, stylistic fighter and I always have
a plan b.
EL: What was the mood like in New
York following the terrorist attacks?
FO: It was an incredible sight when
I saw ground zero. I was walking with Joe Santoliquito
from Ring Magazine after my interview and a police
officer recognized me. He let us through the gates
to take a closer look. It was very sad and for the
city that never sleeps it was very quiet. Not much
to enjoy.
EL: How much time do you spend
training before each bout?
FO: A good three to four months solid.
As for my weight, I am usually between 219 to 221
pounds. I don’t gain much weight.
EL: What weight class were you
in when you started your amateur career?
FO: I started at 147, welterweight
division. My first match was in Chicago, Hamlin Park.
My first trainer was Bill Heglin. On October 18th
I will be honoured at an amateur boxing show in Chicago’s
park district.
EL: Why did Dan Goossen leave America
Presents?
FO: There were a lot of reasons. He
was overpaid for being a promoter and many fighters
were underpaid. He invested a lot in David Tua, David
Reid and Hector Camacho Jr. Dan didn’t do very
well business wise and I wanted to be paid properly.
EL: Who is the greatest Puerto
Rican boxer of all time?
FO: In my honest opinion, Felix Trinidad
and for past fighters I would say Wilfred Benitez
and Wilfredo Gomez.
EL: What would winning a world
title mean to you?
FO: It would be a great accomplishment
for me. Coming from nowhere to becoming a world champion
would be a storybook ending for me. I would be the
first Puerto Rican born Heavyweight champion unlike
John Ruiz who is of Puerto Rican decent.
EL: What will we see from you in
the year 2002?
FO: If god permits, a title shot and
winning it. I want to be Heavyweight Champion.
For more information please visit
www.fresoquendo.com
