Boxing: Oquendo chops at Tua's chances

Puerto Rican heavyweight Fres Oquendo is talking up his chances of beating David Tua in their fight in Pittsburgh, West Virginia, on April 13.

The 12-round bout will be for Oquendo's North American Boxing Federation title and will push the winner close to the top of the IBF rankings.

Oquendo, who is unbeaten in 22 fights, was confident of defeating the hard-hitting Tua, who packs a 39-3 record.

"I predict a knockout, I am the future, Tua Time is over," Oquendo said on the fightnews.com website.

"It will be like cutting down a tree. He's going to eat a lot of my jackhammer jabs."

Oquendo strained his left bicep in sparring a week ago, which put the fight in doubt, but he said he was now 100 per cent fit.

"I took a few days off, but everything is cool. This is an opportunity to show the world I am the best."

Promoter Mat Tinley, of America Presents, said the fight should be an epic showdown.

"Fres is the hottest heavyweight out there and David is the most exciting knockout artist in the division," Tinley said.

"Fres is ranked in the top of all of the sanctioning bodies and he is willing to risk it all by fighting the most dangerous puncher in the heavyweights. One punch and David jumps right back into the title picture."

Tinley admitted he was taking a risk by pitting America Presents' two top heavyweights against each other.

"This is a must-win fight for David and a fight Fres cannot afford to lose."

- NZPA