Boxing News Boxing News
With an announced date of Sunday, July 6 for a planned WBA “Regular” Heavyweight Title bout between Chicago’s Fres Oquendo and Ruslan Chagaev in Grozny, Russia, Chicago based promoter Bobby Hitz of Hitz Boxing and his partner Square Ring Promotions have filed a lawsuit to protect their exclusive promotional rights of Oquendo.
From his office in Chicago, Hitz discussed the legal situation at length, “A couple of days after the fight was postponed to July 6, we were contacted by Malte Müller-Michaelis, who advised Square Ring and us, that he represented Timur Dugazaev and Terek Box Event and that they had been directed by the governmental authorities in Grozny to negotiate a deal with us,” said Hitz.
“We did negotiate a deal and were advised that the financial terms had been agreed upon. After that, they went completely dark on us in regards to signing the paperwork.
“We tried through some back channels to reach the authorities in Grozny and sought assistance from the WBA, but essentially our rights continue to be disrespected and so yesterday, we filed a lawsuit to protect our rights.
“Hitz Boxing and Square Ring worked long and hard to get this title shot for Fres and while it is what we wanted for Fres, we are not going to sit idly by while our rights are disrespected. Everyone involved in this fight can expect a much bigger battle in the courts.
“Hitz Boxing and Square Ring Promotions have an exclusive promotional contract with Fres Oquendo and the filing of this lawsuit illustrates our intent to have our rights upheld.”
Sporting a record of 37-7-0 with 24 knockouts, Oquendo is currently ranked #6 by the WBA and has won five bouts in a row.
