The Boxing Tribune

Boxing's Independent Media

  • Home
  • News
  • Videos
  • Best Of
  • Staff
  • Advertise With Us
  • Write for Us

Chagaev vs. Oquendo: The Fight is Back On

July 4, 2014 by Jim McGrady Leave a Comment

0
SHARES
ShareTweet

Sunday in Russia, at the Ahmat Arena in Grozny, the World Boxing Association’s number three and four ranked heavyweights square of for the vacant WBA heavyweight world title when Ruslan Chagaev (32-2-1, 20 KO’s) and Fres Oquendo (37-7, 24 KO’s) meet in a scheduled 12 round contest.

The bout was at risk until Oquendo’s promoter Bobby Hitz confirmed just a short time ago that the fight was still on. Promotional issues between Hitz and Oquendo had put the fight in question for the Chicago heavyweight, as Hitz had earlier sought an injunction to stop the contest. He told Fightnews.com, “There were some differences but at the end of the day everybody came to amicable resolution. Fighters fight their whole life for this type of opportunity. Our objective is for Oquendo to win the heavyweight championship of the world.” Alexander Petkovic and the come-backing Shannon Briggs were both rumored as possible replacement opponents for Chagaev, though the WBA Championship Committee had only sanctioned Chagaev and Oquendo for the title bout and had not been officially contacted about any change in the fights participants.

Chagaev_Oquendo_adCurrent PABA and WBA Continental title holder Chagaev is looking to become world champion for the second time. In 2007, the undefeated “White Tyson” scored a close majority decision over Nikolay Valuev, also undefeated at the time, to win the title Valuev had held for 16 months. He made two defenses, but this is where the title picture gets murky; between his two defenses Valuev fought twice for the same title while Chagaev was given the ridiculous title of “champion in recess”. Valuev lost the belt to David Haye while Chagaev lost to Wladimir Klitschko in a bout where “his” WBA strap wasn’t on the line. Eventually Chagaev was stripped altogether, and his chance to regain the belt was spoiled when Alexander Povetkin beat him by comfortable 12 round decision in 2011.

Chagaev has since worked his way back into WBA contention with five straight wins over subpar opposition. His most recent contest in October of last year was a 12 round decision over Jovo Pudar that earned him the PABA and WBA Continental heavyweight belts. He hasn’t fought any top competition in years; Valuev, John Ruiz, and Matt Skelton being the biggest names on his record but those were bouts that took place over six years ago.

Oquendo is in his 17th year as a pro, and is looking for his first world title. He lost back-to-back title tries in 2003 and 2004 against Chris Byrd and John Ruiz, but has held a number of lesser titles, including the NABF, WBC and WBO Latino, and WBA Fedalatin belts. Taking on the top names in the division, he’s never flourished against upper tier opposition; losses to Evander Holyfield, James Toney, Oliver McCall, and David Tua are scattered in his record along with wins over B level opponents like Maurice Harris and Joey Abell. His most notable win was over former heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon 13 years after Seldons best days had left him. The 41 year old has only fought twice since 2012: a decision over Derric Rossy in 2013 and a second round TKO over Galen Brown In May.

While this is being billed as a heavyweight championship contest, the winner is simply walking away with “a title”, not the heavyweight championship. Wladimir Klitschko is universally recognized as “the” heavyweight champion. Bermane Stiverne, who recently won the WBC strap vacated by Wlad’s brother Vitaly runs a close second, leaving the winner of Sundays contest with what basically amounts to the bronze medal of heavyweight titles.

Jim McGrady
Jim McGrady

Filed Under: Featured, News Tagged With: boxen, Boxeo, boxing, Fres Oquendo, Grozny, heavyweight championship, Ruslan Chagaev, WBA

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Best of The Boxing Tribune

No One Here Gets Out Alive (Who Really Killed Frankie Leal?); Magno’s Monday Rant

No One Here Gets Out Alive (Who Really Killed Frankie Leal?); Magno’s Monday Rant

Good Riddance Dan Rafael

Good Riddance Dan Rafael

What Can Save HBO Boxing Now?

What Can Save HBO Boxing Now?

In Defense of Rubio’s “Disgrace” Against Golovkin

In Defense of Rubio’s “Disgrace” Against Golovkin

Being Gale Van Hoy; Magno’s Monday Rant

Being Gale Van Hoy; Magno’s Monday Rant

More of The Boxing Tribune's Best

Follow Us

Facebooktwitteryoutube

Alexa Traffic Rank

Sportsbook odds for all Boxing matches

Search

Recent

  • Tyson returns with impressive display as odds available for potential future opponents
  • Crawford maintains unbeaten record following landing short odds in victory over Kell Brook
  • Kell Brook Loses In the Fourth Round To P4P King Terence Crawford
  • Boxing To Look Forward To This Weekend
  • How to Make Money From Your Boxing Passion