DEFENDING MYSELF
Fres Oquendo discusses his career, and ludicrous title shot,
Oquendo repsonds to criticism surrounding the Briggs contest
DESPITE being inactive since 2014, veteran Fres Oquendo appears to have somehow landed a shot at the secondary WBA heavyweight trinket, versus fellow dinosaur Shannon Briggs. According to “The Cannon” – himself without a win over a rated fighter since 2006 – the bout is scheduled for June 3, at a location to be determined in Florida. At 43, Oquendo is two years younger than Briggs. But Fres believes that age shouldn’t stop a man from chasing his dreams, and that it won’t be a factor in the ring either.
What are your thoughts on Shannon Briggs?
Briggs has been around just like myself. We’ve both been in the ring with a lot of world class fighters. The difference is that I’m younger (laughs). Styles make fights. He’s supposed to be a power puncher although he hasn’t fought a top contender in years. I expect to get in that ring, put on a great boxing show and win.
You’ve been out of the ring since July 2014. Will the inactivity affect you?
Well throughout my career I’ve stayed in good shape. I live a clean life. In September 2015, I had an exhibition in Belize that was pretty much like a real fight. And I’ve been in the gym, feeling great. Yeah, I’m up there in age but I never fought in those rock ‘em, sock ‘em type of bouts that punishes your body and makes you age even quicker. Shannon has been in a lot of wars and that’s the difference.
What’s your take on Briggs’ method of landing a heavyweight fight?
Well he’s taken to social media, which is brilliant. He’s got a mouth and is trying to go for one more run. He’s doing a great job. He’s got many followers and that’s going to help promote the fight. I think it’s interesting that when it comes to the Klitschkos, David Haye and the rest, he disrespects them and acts like a clown but with me, he responds very respectfully. It’s because he knows I’m one of those fighters that many avoided. He knows a fight with me is pretty much going to be his end.
What motivates you to continue fighting?
The world heavyweight championship has been eluding me. That just fuels the fire. The second part of it is having two beautiful kids. My son was born two days before I was supposed to face Chagaev. He fell sick but I had to travel halfway around the globe to Russia and I still whooped him and got robbed. Now I have a beautiful daughter who is a year old. These kids just keep me young and I’m blessed that the man upstairs has done this for me. My legacy won’t be complete until I have that strap around your waist. Who was your toughest opponent?
The toughest fight was against Clifford Etienne. I was an 11-1 underdog. It was back in 2001 and nobody but my family and my trainer, Felix Trinidad Snr, gave me a chance. They were pumping Etienne up to be the next Joe Frazier. He had beat Lamon Brewster and Lawrence Clay-bey and was the darling of Showtime when we fought. I knocked him down seven or eight times and knocked him out but he was tough.
What are your thoughts on the Anthony Joshua vs. Wladimir Klitschko matchup?
It’s a very interesting fight and a bold move by Joshua. But I think it’s a good one because of Joshua’s youth, his power and his accuracy—he brings a whirlwind of skills. I can see him outpointing Klitschko or even stopping him. It would be an honour and a privilege to fight Klitschko if he’s victorious. We came from the same era. I sparred with his brother Vitali when he was getting ready for Tomasz Adamek [2011]. I always wanted to fight his younger brother because I think I have the style to present many problems for him.
You do a lot of charity work.
I have a non-profit called The Fres Oquendo Boxing Academy. I grew up in the north side of Chicago, Illinois. I help at-risk youth in my community and the greater Chicago area. I was one of those kids who didn’t have a lot of hope. Boxing taught me a lot and gave me that hope. I want these kids to channel their energy toward the future and make sure that they are successful citizens of this community. I also work with the Cabrini Green Legal Aid organisation. We are trying to change laws in Illinois that prevent former felons from obtaining a decent job because of their background. We’re talking people who did something twenty-odd years before, when they were a teenager, and can’t work today. People need second chances in life. And becoming a world heavyweight champion will help me with accomplishing these
things. How would you like to be remembered? I’d like to be remembered as one of the great gentlemen of the sport. A fighter who put on great performances. The sport deserves a lot more positive people. Guys like Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya give back to the sport by helping these young boxers. They’ve boxed before so they understand, not like Don King and other promoters. And I want to be remembered as a good man outside of the ring. There’s nothing better than being the people’s champion.
‘I WANT TO BE REMEMBERED AS THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION’