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.