Fight Night at the Horseshoe

Chicago’s WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Champion and WBA #14 rated “Fast” Fres Oquendo (34-7, 22 KOs) will face Philadelphia veteran Robert “Big Philly” Hawkins (23-19, 7 KOs) in a stay-busy 10-round main event of Hitz Boxing’s latest “Fight Night at the Horseshoe” installment scheduled for this Saturday, August 18 at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana.

Oquendo was impressive taking out opponent Joey Abell last May. In addition to his current Fedelatin belt, the 39-year-old two-time heavyweight title challenger is a former NABF, NABA and USBA champion.

“We’re looking to keep Fres active while we wait for another world-rated heavyweight to get in the ring with him,” said his promoter, Bobby Hitz. “We offered this fight to several top guys with good money on the table and none of them would step up.”

Hawkins has scored many big wins in his career, but in recent years has become known for going the distance with a long list of notable heavyweights and should provide Oquendo with some much-needed rounds.

The main supporting bout will feature an all-Chicago six-round super middleweight matchup between Mike “Kujo” Kurzeja (5-0-1, 4 KOs) and capable puncher Gerald Taylor (5-3-2, 2 KOs). The winner of this fight will be awarded with the inaugural WSBC “Over 40” trophy.

Welterweight KO artist Abdullai Amidu (19-0, 17 KOs) of Accra, Ghana, will finally make his Horseshoe Casino debut against Chicago’s Jermaine “Too Sweet” White (17-5, 9 KOs) in a six-rounder.

In a rare, early-career battle of undefeated, promising fighters, Chicago’s Dimar “Strongman” Ortuz (4-0, 3 KOs) will face Donta Woods (8-0, 7 KOs) from Atlanta, Georgia, in a six-round cruiserweight battle.

Undefeated heavyweight power puncher David Martin III (6-0, 5 KOs) of Hobart, Indiana, will face Kentucky’s Joshua Clark (1-1, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.

Former world-title challenger Johnny “Bad Boy” Lewus (26-4-1, 21 KOs) of Chicago is scheduled for a six-round welterweight scrap vs. Veracruz, Mexico’s Hugo “Guapo” Guarneros (3-10-1, 2 KOs).

After a 12-year layoff, wildly popular Bridgeport native Frankie “Time Bomb” Scalise (3-1, 3 KOs) returns to the ring in a four-round lightweight bout against rugged veteran Randy Ronchi of Wisconsin.

And in a surprisingly tough six-round super middleweight bout, popular crowd-pleaser Paul Littleton (4-0, 4 KOs) of Chicago will take on Lafayette, Indiana’s Darnell Wilson (9-1-2, 7 KOs). Littleton will have his work cut out for him. Wilson’s only career loss came against current light heavyweight world champion Chad Dawson.

Other scheduled action includes former world kickboxing and Golden Gloves boxing champion Simon “The Punisher” Buettner (1-0, 1 KO) of Carpentersville, Illinois, in a light heavyweight four-rounder against Mukwonago, Wisconsin’s Mike Reiter (0-2).

The high-class atmosphere and luxurious surroundings the Horseshoe has to offer make their boxing shows a Las Vegas-style night of boxing that Chicago-area fans don’t have to get on a plane to enjoy.

The Horseshoe Casino has an intimate, comfortable venue with luxurious seats, a spectacular gaming area, free parking, exquisite food and all the amenities — and is just 20 minutes from Downtown Chicago.

Tickets are priced at $90 Ringside & $40 Orchestra and available at all Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com.

All bouts are subject to change.

On fight night, doors open 6:30 pm and the action starts at 7:30.



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