Fres Oquendo

Fres Oquendo (born April 1, 1973) is a professional heavyweight boxer. He has challenged three times for world heavyweight titles.

Fres Oquendo
Statistics
Real nameFres Oquendo
Nickname(s)Fast Fres
The Big O
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Reach80 in (203 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born (1973-04-01) April 1, 1973
San Juan, Puerto Rico
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights45
Wins37
Wins by KO24
Losses8

Oquendo was born in Puerto Rico, and had a successful amateur record before turning professional in 1997.

Amateur career

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

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. 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 once a gain 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 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 overwhelmingly favored Oquendo.

Fres fought Bruce Seldon on July 24, 2009 in a Regional Title bout which was officiated by fellow 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 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 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 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 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.

On 10 May 2014, Oquendo fought Galen Brown. Oquendo won via a second-round TKO.[2]

On 7 June 2014, Fres Oquendo fought former champion Ruslan Chagaev, for the vacant WBA regular world heavyweight title. Chagaev was the more aggressive fighter in the first four rounds of the fight. The ramainder of the fight saw both boxers having their ups and downs. 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.[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.[4]

Professional boxing record

37 Wins (24 knockouts), 8 Losses, 0 Draws
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

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