Oquendo Training to be Champion, Starts with Early 2005 Return
"I think with my jab and my lateral movement, I can beat anybody"
by
Julius Stecker
12/6 - Heavyweight contender
‘Fast’ Fres Oquendo, 24-3, is looking to make his name known once again in the division he calls home. Oquendo is coming off two very tough fights against respected IBF and WBA belt holders, Chris Byrd and John Ruiz. Having proved in those fights that he is among the elite in the division, Oquendo wants to get back in the ring early next year, possibly in January. Fres has been looking better then ever in training at the JABB Gym, in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
TalkingBoxing.com checked in with the top contender to get his take on the fight game.
"I felt that I dominated the Chris Byrd fight. And in the John Ruiz fight I wasn't there mentally. I was having some management problems, but now I am self managed and I am ready to go," said the 31-year old Oquendo.
Oquendo has been in the ring with the best the heavyweight division has had to offer. His knockout win of Clifford Etienne back in 2001, put him on the map. In 2002, he was putting on a brilliant boxing display against left-hook artist David Tua for 9 rounds, before he was stopped by the hard punching heavyweight.
Even after the tough loss to Tua, he bounced back to earn the #2 spot in the IBF with a 10th round stoppage over Maurice Harris in March 2003, which led him into his first title fight.
Last year in that fight, he battled IBF champ Chris Byrd; taking Byrd's best and outboxing him for 12 rounds, yet he was not given the decision that night. Still to this day, many fight fans and media say he was the winner in that bout and was robbed.
In his next bout after the Byrd debacle, in April of 2004, he was fighting WBA champ John Ruiz even up, only to lose by 11th round TKO. Oquendo is focused more then ever now, and he believes he is destined to control the heavyweight division in 2005.
"It is great to be training here in Chicago, there is nothing like being home, everybody has been great to me," said Oquendo.
The Chicago native has been working out vigorously, and he has targeted a date of January 16th or February 5th, as a possible dates to get back in the ring.
Fres remains optimistic and considers the division to be, "Wide-Open," but he considers Vitali
Klitchsko to be the best Heavyweight around and he would not mind taking him on.
"I think with my jab and my lateral movement, I can beat anybody," explained Oquendo.
Fres will be looking to show the Heavyweight division that he once again means business. Look for ‘Fast’ Fres to make his imprint on the scene in 2005.
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