Fres Oquendo Enters Prizefighter

David Haye’s sparring partner Fres Oquendo will fight in Prizefighter International Heavyweights on Saturday 7 May at London’s Alexandra Palace – after the Hayemaker recommended him to promoter Eddie Hearn.

The 18th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight-man, one night tournaments sees overseas fighters compete for the first time and Oquendo will be in the mix to claim the trophy and end a run of heart-breaking defeats.

Hearn has a close relationship with Haye’s promoter Adam Booth and thanks to the World champion, 38 year-old Oquendo will fight live on Sky Sports to become the first international Prizefighter champion.

“Adam made the call saying that David thought Fres deserved a shot at Prizefighter,” said Hearn. “Fres has been in with some of the biggest names in boxing and how can I turn down a request from our own Heavyweight champion!”

The Puerto Rican fighter enters the tournament on the wrong side of a split decision against Oliver McCall for the IBF Inter-Continental title in December, the 39th fight of his career but just his seventh defeat, with 32 wins, 21 coming by knockout.

After winning his first 22 fights, he lost his NABF belt to David Tua in 2002 before taking on Chris Byrd for the IBF title the following year, losing to a unanimous decision.

Oquendo challenged John Ruiz for the WBA World title in 2004 – the first time that two Hispanic fighters had ever fought for the Heavyweight belt – but Ruiz defended his title with an 11th round stoppage. After taking two years out of the ring, “Fast Fres” returned to win the WBO Latino title then took on Evander Holyfield for the USBA title in 2006 but lost a controversial decision against the Real Deal.

After adding the WBC Latino title to his WBO belt he claimed the NABA and USBA belts before taking on Jean Marc Mormeck in Paris in May 2010, losing to a unanimous decision.

Oquendo joins UK Prizefighter Heavyweight champion Michael Sprott, New Jersey’s Kevin ‘Kingpin’ Johnson who boasts 24 victories and just one defeat, a points loss to Vitali Klitschko in a WBC title challenge in December 2009, unbeaten Irish-based Cuban Mike ‘The Rebel’ Perez, who holds ten knockout victories from 13 fights, all inside three rounds, and big-hitting German Konstantin Airich, who holds 13 knockouts from 16 wins and is remembered for a crazy fight with Danny Williams in May 2008.

Tickets for Prizefighter International Heavyweights at London’s Alexandra Palace on Saturday 7 May are available from Matchroom Sport priced £35 unreserved, £50 and £60 ringside and £120 VIP – to buy call Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900.