Fres Oquendo

Fres Oquendo (born April 1, 1973) is a Puerto Rican-American professional heavyweight boxer.

Oquendo was born in Puerto Rico, and had a successful amateur record before turning professional in 1997. Graduated from Carl Schurz High School in Chicago IL as did other well known boxers. Such as former World Champion David Díaz and boxer/referee Pete Podgorski both, who are former Schurz Bulldog graduates.

Amateur career

Oquendo had a purported 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

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. What seemed to be a unanimous decision for Oquendo was given to Byrd with a gift decision win to keep his IBF belt. One score was 117-111 which was referred to by HBO announcers as The best judges money can ________. 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 labrum, 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. Oquendo almost called off the fight as suggested by the UCLA Medical Center due to tonsillitis and strep-throat but decided to fight anyway.

He then re-gained the WBC-WBO Latino belts in 2007, after defeating Dominique Alexander then following it up with a win against the never stopped granite chin Cuban Elisier Castillo. In a grueling ESPN bout in Miami Florida in 120 degree heat Oquendo out lasted the charging Cuban.

In late 2008, Oquendo lost a fight to James Toney on December 13, by split decision. He was docked 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 overwhelmingly favored Oquendo.

He fought Bruce Seldon on July 24, 2009 and defeated him by knockout in the 9th round and which Seldon took a knee in round 8 and in round 9 was knocked down and was 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 has 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 Fres 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 preceded to land unanswered 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 and was full of complements quoting "You were just too fast and too strong". Oquendo answered with a "Thank you for fighting me and you are very very tough!".

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. 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 is currently ranked #5 in the world. He has currently began training and expects to have a great 2014 hopefully fighting for the WBA World Championship, the WBC World Championship or the WBC World Cup Tournament where he will represent his division and country.

Professional boxing record

37 Wins (24 knockouts), 8 Losses, 0 Draws[2]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Round	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	37–8	Ruslan Chagaev	MD	12	07/06/2014	Grozny, Russia	For vacant WBA 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, United States	Won interim NABA Heavyweight title. Seldon down in 8th & 9th rounds.
Win	30–5	Mark Brown	TKO	3 (10)	26/06/2009	UIC Pavilion, Chicago, 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, 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, United States
Loss	26–4	Evander Holyfield	UD	12	10/11/2006	Alamodome, San Antonio, 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, United States
Loss	24–3	John Ruiz	TKO	11 (12)	17/04/2004	Madison Square Garden, 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, 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, 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, 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	Ramón 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, United States
Win	11–0	Duncan Dokiwari	UD	6	16/01/1999	MGM Grand Las Vegas, 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, United States
Win	8–0	Wesley Martin	TKO	1 (4)	04/09/1998	Miccosukee Indian Gaming Resort, Miami, 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	27/03/1999	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

External links

• Professional boxing record for Fres Oquendo from BoxRec