Fres Oquendo Batters Bruce Seldon at The UIC Pavilion

By Joe Harrison

On Friday, heavyweight Fres Oquendo (31-5, 20 KOs) knocked out Bruce Seldon (40-8, 36 KOs) in the 9th round at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. With the victory, Oquendo earned the vacant interim NABA title in a scheduled ten-round bout. The event, Windy City Fight Night 4, was promoted by Dominic Pesoli’s 8 Count Productions.

Throughout the contest, Oquendo used his speed and slick movement to outwork his 42-year-old opponent. Although the first couple of rounds were slow-moving, Oquendo was in complete control as he effectively used his jab and left hook.

In the 3rd round, Seldon finally began to connect with his left hook. He continued to keep the pressure on Oquendo, but it was short-lived as Oquendo regained control and struck Seldon’s face with his jab.

As the rounds passed, Oquendo remained in control and continuously beat Seldon to the punch. However, in the 6th round, Seldon began to land crushing blows with his right hand, punches that were more significant than Oquendo’s during this round.

During the 7th round, a right hand from Oquendo staggered Seldon and backed him against the ropes. Oquendo went after Seldon swinging away but the bell saved Seldon.

Seldon seemed broken down as he took a knee in the 8th round. Seldon continued but did not appear to have any fight left in him. Twice, near the end of the round and after the start of the ninth, Seldon turned away as if he was done fighting. Both times he continued, but it was during the 9th when Oquendo put Seldon down with a right hand. Seldon stayed on one knee until ref Pete Podgorski reached the count of ten at the official time of 2:35 in the ninth round.

Also on the fight card, pro debuts were made by jr. middleweight Nate Mohr and heavyweight David Latoria, both of whom won by knockout. Mohr knocked down Tommy Moore (0-2) in the 2nd round twice before the bout was called off by referee Geno Rodriguez at the 2:23 mark. Latoria knocked Christopher Boykins (0-4) out cold with a combo of right-left hooks before another right hook while he was going down. The official time of the knockout was 1:50 into the 1st round.

In other action, heavyweight Tyree Ortiz (3-0, 3 KOs) scored a 1st-round stoppage over Eric Crittendon (2-10) with a barrage of hooks to his head and body. Crittendon could only cover up until ref Geno Rodriguez called off the bout at the 1:24 mark.

Chicago’s very own Donovan “Da Bomb” George was in attendance for the event. George (16-0-1, 14 KOs) will face off against Emmanuel Gonzalez (9-5, 4 KOs) in Hollywood, Florida on Friday night. The event will feature bouts pinning Julio Diaz against Victor Cayo and Derric Rossy against Carl Drumond on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights.