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Interview: Fres Oquendo - Oquendo talks about Klitschko, McCline, Hopkins and more...

Ike Enwereuzor/ Jacboxing.com

05.01 - Unbeaten WBO #1 and NABF heavyweight champion, Fres Oquendo (22-0) 13KO's won the National Golden Gloves in 1993. He was a five-time Golden Gloves Chicago Champion who began his professional career May 10, 1997 stopping heavyweight, Mark Johnson in round 3. Oquendo has impressive knockout over top Contenders like Cliff Etienne, Obed Sullivan, Izon and others.

In Las Vegas, Six to one underdog, Oquendo trained by Felix Trinidad Sr. shocked the world March 3, 2001 dropped Clifford "Black Rhino" Etienne seven times enroute to scoring a 8th round TKO. On September 2, Oquendo captured the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) laurel by knocking out Obed Sullivan in round 11, in Philadelphia, MS. In his most recent fight December 1, at Jacob Javtis Center in New York City, Oquendo showed a lot of improvement and proved to boxing fans that he belongs to the heavyweight class by beating Nigeria's David Izon in a controversial stoppage at 2:54 in 3. Here's what the NABF champ had to tell us about his past, present and future...

How would you describe your first professional fight?
I began amateur boxing at Hamlin Park Chicago District in Chicago, IL. My father use to tell me I was hitting people like a sledge-hammer. My Pro debut was a very good and exciting fight for me. I started boxing with a lots of jabs and movement. The guy I fought was Mark Johnson and he was an awkward guy but I beat him. I'm known to be a boxer in amateurs, hitting and moving. I knew someday I'll become a puncher, sure enough it's showing now in my professional career.

Which titles did you win as an amateur?
My amateur record is (98-6). I won the National Golden Gloves and I'm a 5-time Chicago Golden Gloves champion.

What made you decide to Box?
Well, in 1987, when I was about 13 years old at Hamlin Park Chicago District because I wanted to know how to defend myself on the streets. I used to get into a lot of fights when I was in Grammer School, so I decided to learn to defend myself. I got tied one day so I went to learn to box

Your most remembered pro fights?
Etienne was very emotional one for me but the last one with David Izon was even more exciting because I had to let my explosive out in front of a major Television network (HBO) in order for them to give me the opportunity to fight for the WBO heavyweight title.

Your impression of WBO Champ, Wladimir Klitschko?
Well, he's young, a good fighter but hey if the money is right yeah we'll get it on with no problems. You know what I'm saying? Now that he knows I'm the hottest prospect in the division today. Hey, he wants to put it on, we're ready. I know I'll beat him if we meet.

Please, describe your fight with Duncan Dokiwari?
Another great fight for me for the simple facts that at the time we were both undefeated and promoted by same promoters American Presents. The promoters made the fight because they believed in me to put me in front of a so called Lion but look at the outcome, Ike. It was like David and Goliath. You know the victory came to be for the underdog since then they started to recognise me, look at where I'm today.

Your thoughts on McCline-Whitaker fight?
Jameel McCline is a big guy, strong but very slow, he upset Lance Whitaker and deserves the credit for his performance December 1 against Whitaker. In the future McCline can be a nice little fighter but at the moment I'm the hottest thing out there now.

What's it like working with Trinidad Sr?
Oh me, Papa is the best. He's great, you see what he did with his son, "Tito". Papa Trinidad is a grand trainer, you know what I'm saying and his son is a grand champion with Grand Trainer. Papa is with me at every fight working on new things everyday so I'm getting better and stronger.

What did you think of Hopkins-Trinidad fight?
Everybody has bad nights and we're all human. It was a night that the man (Hopkins) came very prepared you know. Tito has been knocking everyone out with his dangerous left hooks but Hopkins was well prepared. Hopkins fought a fight that non of us expected. We know Hopkins to be a street brawler, head-butter and low blow fighter but he proved us wrong that night. I give Hopkins credit.

Tell our readers your views on Rahman-Lewis II?
I was very disappointed by Hasim's performance. Why did he fight the way he did? He fought so amateurish by keeping his hands like that. He should know that this was no National amateur championship. It was a professional world class championship, so you got to look impressive and don't let the title go. You can't fight like that in a world championship fight with a dangerous puncher like Lennox Lewis. I was surprise on the way he got caught with the shots but that's boxing in the heavyweight division.

Any comments to your fans?
Thanks for all your supports especially the Puerto Ricans and my Chicago fans who have been there for me since amateur years. I'll like to tell the kids to stay in School, stay sharp an dbe positive. I know I'm a good remodel to them.

Who do you think is the best heavyweight today?
Me of course.

Thanks Fres,
You're welcome anytime Ike.

 


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