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03/02/2006 Archived Entry: "Heavyweight Contender Fres Oquendo Grieves Loss of Friend, Angel Rodriguez."
Heavyweight Contender Fres Oquendo Grieves Loss of Friend, Angel Rodriguez.
By Juan C. Ayllon
CHICAGO – This should have been a time of joy. Coming off a 22-month layoff fraught with managerial and promotional entanglements, on February 16th, heavyweight contender Fres Oquendo hooked up with a premiere promoter, shook off some serious ring rust and stopped Daniel Bispo in the ninth round at the Grand Ballroom in New York City. Armed with renewed confidence and Lou DiBella Entertainment backing him in a wide-open heavyweight division, there was much cause for celebration.
They say some friends are closer than brothers. Angel Rodriguez was one such friend to Fres Oquendo. Tragically, on Monday, February 27th, he was found dead in his home. According to Oquendo, authorities still don’t know how long he was dead.
In a voice mottled with emotion, Oquendo said, “He did P.R. He was at all my events; he was at the Ruiz fight, the Byrd fight. He was a childhood friend of mine and was great helping out with my family. He took care of my kids when I was gone for training. I mean, the guy was nothing but good for my family! In fact, he was at my last fight.”
Continuing, he said, “He’s going to be very missed. He’s very good friends with Tito Trinidad. They’re mourning his loss in Puerto Rico. Team Oquendo and Team Trinidad are mourning his loss very much.
“I’ll be okay. He’ll motivate me for the next fight, [which] I’ll dedicate in his honor.”
Rodriguez was 34 years old and hailed from the north side area of Chicago.
Ewald-Barlock Funeral Home, 2501 N. Southport in Chicago, will host his wake from three until nine PM. on Thursday, March 2nd.
Later on Thursday evening, following the wake, Joe’s Sports Bar, 940 West Weed Street, in Chicago will host a party both celebrating Oquendo’s victory and paying tribute to Rodriguez.
“They’re going to broadcast my fight on the big screen,” he said, “In memory, they’re gonna show my guy [Rodriguez] that that I knocked that Brazilian guy out. Celebrate with me this victory. It’s kind of funny he’s not here with us.”
Rodriguez’ funeral will follow on Friday, March 3rd at 10 A.M. at Graceland Cemetery. Graceland Cemetery is located at 4001 N. Clark Street in Chicago.
Graceland Cemetery is where the first African American heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson, is buried. For Oquendo, the irony is not lost. Angel Rodriguez, to him, was truly a heavyweight champion amongst champions, when it came to being a decent human being and a friend.
God rest his soul.
