The
promoter of long-time heavyweight contender "Fast" Fres Oquendo (33-7,
21 KOs) commends Oquendo's next opponent, Minnesota's Joey "Minnesota
Ice" Abell (28-5, 27 KOs), for agreeing to fight.
Oquendo
and Abell will meet for the WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Championship in
the 10-round main event of Hitz Boxing's latest "Fight Night at the
Horseshoe" event on Friday, May 25, 2012, at the Horseshoe Casino in
Hammond, Indiana. The bout is presented by Hitz Boxing in conjunction
with Roy Jones Jr.'s Square Ring Promotions.
"We
sent challenges out to a bunch of guys," said promoter Bobby Hitz.
"Chris Arreola, Bryant Jennings, Seth Mitchell, the list goes on, and
none of them are willing to fight him. Abell was the only one with the
balls to step up."
Similar
to fellow Chicagoan Carlos Molina, the majority of Oquendo's losses
have been of a questionable nature. He dropped horrid decisions to
Jean-Marc Mormeck and Oliver McCall in two of his last three fights.
Hitz
says Oquendo losing two of his last three should have been a flashing
green light for up-and-coming heavyweights to try and add a notable
opponent to their resume, but such was not the case.
"It
makes you wonder about the future of the sport and especially the
heavyweight division when not one young contender is willing to accept a
challenge."
Hitz
also gives credit to his fighter for taking such a potentially
dangerous fight off-TV, just to stay busy. "Joey Abell has 27 knockouts
in 28 wins. He can crack. You have to admire a guy like Fres who would
choose a puncher like this as his opponent for a non-televised show in
front of his hometown fans."
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 atthe "Venue" box office, ticketmaster.com and all Ticketmaster outlets.