Fres Oquendo has been in the ring with some of the greatest heavyweights in recent history. His professional record of 32-6, with 21 knockouts is a testament to his formidability. On December 7, he
will square off against Oliver McCall for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title. A win against McCall will place him back among the top 10 heavyweights in the world. I recently spoke with Oquendo about his career, Manny Pacquiao’s revival of the sport, and the current state of boxing.
LS: Hello Fres. How are you?
FO: Good, good! Getting ready to go train.
LS: You’re going to be fighting Oliver McCall for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title. You’re training with Angelo Dundee. Talk about working with Dundee.
FO: Oh, it’s a great experience, you know? It’s great to have worked with the all-time great trainers, like Trinidad Sr., Freddie Roach, and now Angelo Dundee, to put the icing on the cake on my legacy, and my career in boxing. We’re just getting ready for this great show coming up on December 7.
LS: You’ve definitely worked with some legendary trainers. How is your training camp going overall?
FO: It’s good. You know, it’s getting there. By fight time everything should be together, and we’ll be ready to do the show.
LS: If you come out with the W on December 7, that puts you back in the top 10. The Klitschkos and David Haye are on top. What are your goals for the remainder of your career?
FO: Just to fight for that elusive title that has been so close to my hands. This is my last run. I’m gonna make the best of it for myself, my legacy and my career. So I look forward to that championship that I’m winning next year.
LS: So, are you gunning for the Klitschkos or David Haye?
FO: Both. Either / or.
LS: What do you think it’s going to take to bring heavyweight boxing back to the mainstream?
FO: It’s going take these champions to fight the best opposition out there, and not the pick-em, alphabets ranking committee that do the picking. I agree with Klitschko wanting to fight David Haye, and make a real fight, and fight contenders like myself.
