Stepping out of the ring at Chicago's JABB Boxing Gym, Fast Fres Oquendo,
24-3 (15KO's), proclaimed himself
a free agent and
"more than ready"
to get back into action against all the top heavies.
"Don King and I parted ways recently and I'm just looking to get back at it.
I haven't fought in a year and not much
has changed. They're still talking about the Klitschko's, Ruiz, Byrd, I want
to fight all of them. Everyone knows I
beat Byrd (in September of 2003, Oquendo lost a very controversial
decision), Ruiz and me were having a close
battle before it got stopped too early, I was hurt but it was a world
heavyweight title fight that should have had a
much more clear cut ending."
"David Tua's back and I'd love to fight him again. I was ahead on points and
screwed up and he caught me. I'm glad he's back and I hope he gives me
another shot." Fres was stopped with a flash left hook by The Samoan Warrior
in
April of 2002.
One additional heavyweight that has caught the always in shape Oquendo is
The Nigerian Nightmare, Samuel Peter.
Said Fres, "the hype sounds familiar, almost the same way it was with
Etienne. I dominated Etienne when he was
supposed to be the future "baddest man on the planet."' Etienne was down
seven times before referee Jay Nady
halted the bout in round eight four years ago.
Finally, the youthful 30 year old Oquendo said, "I'm in great shape, weighed
in at 228 this morning. I've had the year
off to relax and hang out with the family but now I'm ready to get back at
it. I'm not fighting next month in Chicago which is a shame as this is my
home. But that's my first order of business, I want to fight in Chicago my
first fight back. Earlierin my career I fought in Cicero and Northlake and a
couple of times in Elgin but I want to fight in the city I love and
the city that has always been good to me."
On a final note the classy Oquendo wanted to thank all of his loyal fans
worldwide, especially Chicago and Puerto Rico
who have been so faithful to him over the years. He also wanted to send his
thanks to Ring Magazine, USA Today and ESPN.com for keeping him in their top
ten rankings over the last year
