Boxing News Boxing News
Fresh off a devastating third round knockout win this past Friday night, two time world title challenger Fres Oquendo will return to action against WBO Latino Heavyweight Champion Gonzalo Omar Basile of Argentina in the ten round 8 Count Boxing main event on Friday, July 24th at Chicago’s UIC Pavilion.
Oquendo, now 30-5-0 with nineteen knockouts, was dominant Friday night from the opening bell against the rugged New Jersey native Mark Brown. Dropping Brown twice hard in the third round, the bout was waived off by referee Geno Rodriguez at the 2:58 mark with a badly hurt Brown unable to defend himself.
Said Oquendo, “He tried to make it a street fight but I kept my cool, hurt him from the start and took him out when the time came. It was terrific fighting in my hometown of Chicago, the fans were very supportive.”
The knockout win over Brown was Oquendo’s first bout in the Chicagoland area in nine years.
Said Pesoli, “Fres looked like a world class heavyweight on Friday night. Our fans were thrilled to see him and wanted to know when he’s fighting again in Chicago . We’re proud to bring him back so quickly against Basile who he was originally supposed to fight.”
The knockout win over Brown for the WBC Latino Heavyweight Title was Oquendo’s first as part of the Simmons Entertainment Marketing LLC management group, headed by NBA Star Bobby Simmons.
The Puerto Rican born Oquendo was coming off a highly controversial split decision loss to former world champion James Toney on December 13th.
Basile, 41-4-0 (19KO’s), has won nine in a row, capturing the WBO Latino Heavyweight Title with a third round stoppage of Daniel Frank on February 14th of this year.
The undercard is headlined by a terrific lightweight bout between Chicagoans Gadiel Andaluz and Oscar De La Cruz.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, the 26 year old Andaluz won his first three professional bouts in Chicago last year before suffering a setback against Dannie Williams in Tacoma, Washington late last year which moved his record to 3-1-0 (2KO’s).
A native of Mexico City, De La Cruz brings a competitive record of 5-6-0 (2KO’s) into the bout with Andaluz. His eleven pro bouts include battles against outstanding young prospects Matt Remillard, Mike Oliver and Argenis Mendez.
Other newcomers include super featherweight Noe Perez, 2-0-0 (2KO’s), super middleweight Mike Kurzeja, 1-0-0 (1KO) and the pro debuts of heavyweight David Latoria and junior middleweight Nate Mohr in separate bouts.
Additional information on the fight card will be announced shortly.
Doors on the evening of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 8pm. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Racine, just one block south of the Eisenhower Expressway. For further information, please visit their website at www.uicpavilion.com
