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01/17/2005 Archived Entry: "Fres Oquendo Seeks to Get Out of Contract with Don King, Wants James Toney Next!"
Fres Oquendo Seeks to Get Out of Contract with Don King, Wants James Toney Next!
By Juan C. Ayllon
Fres Oquendo (R) talks with Ayllon at ringside while watching the fights
(Chicago, IL): Heavyweight contender, Fres Oquendo, is looking to get his career back on track. Having signed up with premiere promoter Don King a while back, he assumed that another shot at the heavyweight title was eminent. However, while fellow returning Chicago heavyweight Andrew Golotta is prepares for an unprecedented third shot at the heavyweight title in a row straight from his comeback, Oquendo has essentially sat on the shelf.
For those unfamiliar with Oquendo, at 6’ 2”, a record of 24-3-0 (15 KO’s), and an ideal weight of around 225 pounds, he is somewhat smallish by today’s overblown standards. Never the less, he outstripped expectations when he turned professional in 1997, raising eyebrows as he rose through the heavyweight rankings. On his way up, he toppled such names as Phil Jackson, Bert Cooper, Clifford Ettienne, Duncan Dokwari, Obed Sullivan and Maurice Harris.
Then, when he reached the summit, things went strangely awry. For nine rounds, he was beating dangerous bomber David Tua quite handily. That is, until he got caught with big shot that shook him; moments later, the referee stopped the fight. Three fights later, in a fight that many had him winning, he lost a very close and controversial decision to current IBF World Heavyweight Champion Chris Byrd. Then, last April in a fight that he was admittedly under-motivated, he fought on at least even terms with WBA World Heavyweight title holder John Ruiz going well into the 11th round. He was nailed by an unexpected shot; in short order, the referee stopped the fight.
Last Friday night, while watching the fights at the Aragon Ballroom, heavyweight contender, Fres Oquendo, joined this writer to chat and watch an exciting young fighter, Frankie Tafoya, whom he’d kept tabs on for years.
On Frankie Tafoya:
Fres Oquendo: I’ve been seeing him [Frankie Tafoya] since he was a little kid; since he was seven years old, he’s basically one of my alumni. When he was coming up starting, I was in the US Boxing team. It looks like he can have a successful pro career.
On what he’s up to these days:
FO: Nothing much, just hanging out, staying in shape. Hopefully be back by February or March.
On the status of his career and his efforts to get out of his contract with Don King:
FO: Right now everything’s been put on hold. He received a letter from my attorney for my release to resume my career. Hopefully we’ll receive a response by next week.
Hopefully, we’ll get a response back and give me a release. I’m looking forward to moving on with my career instead of being put on the shelf like I am at the moment.
On the heavyweight division:
FO: I feel like it’s wide open for the taking. It’s now a matter of being free from Don King to pursue the heavyweight championship.
On recent sparring:
6' 5" Carl Davis
FO: I was sparring with Carl Davis, I believe. It went good; he was a very heavy-handed puncher. He makes me work. He’s strong and a world-class puncher and when he gets up there, he’ll have great experience sparring with a world-class heavyweight like myself.
On whom he’d like to fight next:
FO: I’m looking to negotiate with one of my former promoters, Joe Goosen, who handles James Toney. Once I get my release form Don King. I’d like to fight Toney.
Toney stands over Evander Holyfield
FO [continuing]: Toney’s a very elusive fighter at a standstill. He fought guys like Holyfield or Booker, who stand in front of him and he looks good; he’ll have problems with someone with a good jab, and good lateral movement. When he fights a slugger, he looks effective, but when he fights a fighter with lateral movement and speed, he’ll have problems.
[Tafoya dominated his opponent, collapsing his opponent and ending matters at 2:33 of the third round with a vicious pair of left hooks to the body, which clearly delighted Oquendo]
FO: Like I told you, I was watching him when he was six, seven years old!
At this point, a friend and a handful of well-wishing fans greeted Oquendo. Several minutes later, he joined Chicago Bears’ quarterback, Rex Grossman, junior welterweight contender David Diaz, and this writer for a photograph at ringside.
From left to right: Fres Oquendo, Juan Ayllon, Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman
and David Diaz
Photos of Fres Oquendo by Tom Glunz
Photo of Davis by Juan C. Ayllon
Photo of James Toney courtesy of http://www.detnews.com/pix/2003/12/24/0sports/s024-toney-1203n-2.jpg
