Fres Oquendo Defends NABF In Hammond, Indiana

Chicago people and all those in the nearby burbs, big time boxing returns to the city by the lakes and just in time.

Heavyweight contender Fres Oquendo defends his NABF title against Demetrice King at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana on Saturday Feb. 20. The Hitz Boxing Promotions fight card is a quick drive from Chicago and will not be televised.

If you recognize the name Hitz, that’s because he was a former heavyweight contender himself named Bobby Hitz. Around many parts of the country that name is magic.

Tom Tsatas recently joined Hitz Boxing Promotions

“Bobby Hitz is one of the honorable guys in boxing,” said Tsatas a former boxer and kickboxer. “He asked me to come aboard and it s a no brainer.”

Tsatas likes what he’s seen so far and is anxious to be part of the card that includes the amiable Oquendo.

“Here is a guy who is one of the most celebrated heavyweights. Everyone talks about Chris arreola and David Haye, but Oquendo has been in with Chris Byrd and James Toney,” Tsatas said by telephone. “He’s fought every single guy and never turned down a fight and brings legitimacy.”

Since losing a very close fight to Toney a little over a year ago, Puerto Rico’s Oquendo has picked off three consecutive opponents. Now he has hard-hitting King in front of him on the main event.

“The division is wide open; I am on a mission that some say is impossible. I don't see it that way,” stated Oquendo (31-5, 20 KOs). “I will take care of King come Saturday night and then I am looking to mix it up with either one of the Klitschko's.”

Those aren’t empty promises from a guy who has faced several world champions in his career.

King, who either knocks out his opponent or loses by decision, likes his chances.

“I can guarantee this much, it won't go the full 12 rounds,” stated King (15-17, 13 KOs). “I am knocking him all the way out, I am not coming to lose, I am coming to collect what's mine.”

King isn’t simply pontificating. His stats show that 13 of 15 wins came via rendering opponents unconscious. Oquendo has one of the better chins in boxing. It should be a great fight.

In a similar fight undefeated Terry Martin will try to start the action with his go-for-broke style.

“He fights like Mike Tyson,” said Tsatas of muscular Martin.

Martin (3-0, 3 KOs) will try to restart his career in pro boxing after running into bad luck in mixed martial arts. The big punching cruiserweight lost six of his last eight MMA fights, but in boxing he’s three and 0. Maybe the change will do him good if he doesn’t have to worry about take downs. He fights Rodell Boler in a cruiserweight bout.

“It’s going to be a stacked and decked card. For a local card its as good as it can get. The Horseshoe casino is 20 minutes from Chicago, its unbelievable,” Tsatas said. “The rooms are going to be nice like in Vegas. It’s going to be a lot of energy in the room.”

For tickets and information call (219) 473-7000.