Chicago-based heavyweight veteran Fast Fres Oquendo (33-7, 21 KOs) will take on Coon Rapids, Minnesota, southpaw Joey “Minnesota Ice” Abell (28-5, 27 KOs) for the WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Championship in the 10-round main event of Hitz Boxing’s “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” event at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, this Friday, May 25..
The 39-year-old two-time heavyweight title challenger and former NABF, NABA and USBA champion says his comeback is all about leaving boxing on a high note after suffering so many disappointing and highly controversial setbacks. In two of his last three fights, Oquendo lost decisions of the very debatable sort to former champion Oliver McCall and Frenchman Jean-Marc Mormeck, who went on to face Wladimir Klitschko in a big-money match-up Oquendo says he dreams of.
“That’s the politics of boxing,” said Oquendo during a break in training. “If I don’t get the knockout, I can’t win. Every time they rob me, it’s a black eye to boxing and it takes away my earnings.”
Of all his questionable losses, the two that bother Oquendo most are his December 2008 split decision to James Toney and the horrific unanimous decision then-IBF champion Chris Byrd was given over him in 2003. “James Toney, that fight bothers me a lot. I out-hustled him out-punched him and they robbed me. That fight and the Chris Byrd fiasco. Those two are neck and neck. What Don King did to me was an injustice for boxing period. Not just me, all of boxing. That’s why I love fighting in my backyard. That’s where all my people come out for me. I thank Bobby Hitz for putting me on this show against a decent opponent.”
Oquendo says he’s quite familiar with Abell. “I know him pretty well. He’s a pretty strong puncher. I sparred with him before and he presents a challenge, but I’m very experienced and have the will to win. Being a hard puncher is not going to be enough to beat the great Fres. I live a good life and I still feel like I’m in my early 20s. I’m very strong and fast and I’m coming there to put on a spectacular performance. He’ll be trying to come in with nothing to lose, but I love chopping down the bigger guys. I’m smarter and faster. That’s the difference.”
Oquendo says his post-boxing life will be all about helping area youth stay off the streets. “This is my last hurrah. I’m taking one more try to get that elusive championship I deserve and then I’ll call it a day after that and transition to my new passion: giving back to the youth. I’m starting the not-for-profit Fres Oquendo Boxing Academy in the Humble Park Field House on Chicago’s West Side. 26th Ward Alderman, Roberto Maldonado, is partnering with me and supporting this great cause of mine. I’m going to use boxing to teach young people to say no to gangs and drugs.”
The high-class atmosphere and luxurious surroundings the Horseshoe has to offer make their boxing shows a Las Vegas-style night of boxing that Chicago-area fans don’t have to get on a plane to enjoy.
The Horseshoe Casino has an intimate, comfortable venue with luxurious seats, a spectacular gaming area, free parking, exquisite food and all the amenities — and is just 20 minutes from Downtown Chicago.
Tickets for “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” are on sale now, starting at a fan appreciation price of $10, and are available at the “Venue” box office, ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets.
Former Heavyweight Champion Ray Mercer Looks To Help Youth At Find A Dream
Former boxing star and champion Ray Mercer continues to help make a difference in the lives of inner city youth though Find A Dream
Former heavyweight boxing champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Ray Mercer has been continuing to strive to make an impact in the lives of children across the United States. Since joining Find A Dream—a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization that reaches out to community children and provides them a healthy channel to find and work towards fulfilling a dream—the boxer has been working hard to spread awareness about the importance of providing a sanction for inner city kids to work toward a positive goal..
“Boxing has always been such a big part of my life, both inside and out of the ring,” said Mercer. “It teaches discipline, confidence and helps keep kids on the right track.”
In recent months Find A Dream has been focusing on putting together an all-star team to help spread awareness throughout the country and help enrich the lives of inner city youth by providing them with boxing, martial arts, computer and educational programs. They recently have secured a building for their newest facility which they will be opening up shortly in South Carolina, and are focusing their efforts on opening up several other locations.
Mercer shares company with an elite team at Find A Dream, UFC legend and Hall-of-Famer Dan “The Beast” Severn, cruiserweight boxer Bobby Czyz, heavyweight KO artist Don Steele and actor Quinton Aaron, amongst several others.
“It means a great deal to see Find A Dream progressing the way they are,” said Mercer. “It’s all about giving back to the community, and if I all have to do is support Find A Dream to help kids’ dreams come true, than I am all about it.”
In 2012 Find A Dream is striving to continue to expand and impact the lives of children throughout various communities. Find A Dream plans to spread their word through boxing and MMA events, car shows, cook-offs, concerts and more in hopes of reaching out to communities and bringing awareness of the necessity to work towards enriching the lives of our youths.
“Find A Dream helps keeps kids off the streets and out of trouble,” said Mercer. We have a gym in Iowa, and soon are opening one up in Myrtle Beach. Our goal is to offer kids a safe environment to learn and work towards something positive.”
Find A Dream is a nonprofit organization unlike any other. We have partnered with professionals to deliver on our promise of positive change in young lives. Our communities become stronger when our youth is mentored through people of character with a true interest in pouring constructive, character-building activities and input into their lives.
To learn more about Find A Dream or become a sponsor or volunteer, visit www.findadream.org.
GCP Signs Eric Fields to Promotional Agreement
Greg Cohen of Greg Cohen Promotions is proud to announce the signing of cruiserweight prospect Eric “Danger” Fields (20-1, 15 KOs) to a promotional agreement.
29-year-old Fields is a native of Ardmore, Oklahoma, rated #15 by the World Boxing Association. Fields was the 2005 and 2006 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight champion and holds a victory in the amateurs over Tony Grano, the U.S. Amateur Heavyweight Champion.
As a pro, Fields already holds victories over former world champion Kelvin Davis (KO 1), former world title challenger Rubin Williams (TKO 2) and 2004 Mexican Olympian Ramiro Reducindo (KO 1). His only loss came against former world champion Ola Afolabi in 2008.
Tall, with fast, powerful hands, Fields is a natural athlete who is able to finish a fight with any of the punches in his powerful two-fisted combinations. He decided to start boxing after an episode of Friday Night Fights in which he felt he could easily beat a fighter who was 22-0 at the time.
“Eric has all the potential in the world and we’re going to t help him reach it,” said Greg Cohen. “Because of his power, he may have had stamina issues earlier in his career, but they’re all ironed out now through experience and dedication. Eric Fields is on his way up the cruiserweight division. He’s tall and strong and extremely dangerous. That’s why they call him Danger. Within the next 12 months I expect Eric to win his first world title.”