Jesus Cuellar to Defend WBA Featherweight Title

by
Jesus Cuellar to Defend WBA Featherweight Title

Jesus Cuellar to Defend WBA Featherweight Title

by
Jesus Cuellar to Defend WBA Featherweight Title

“I have to get a big win so that I can get Leo Santa Cruz (WBA Super featherweight champ) in the ring with me.”
“I have to get a big win so that I can get Leo Santa Cruz (WBA Super featherweight champ) in the ring with me.”

WBA World featherweight champ Jesus Cuellar will defend his title over a scheduled 12 rounds against Jonathan Oquendo at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, on Saturday, December 5. The card features Daniel Jacobs defending his WBA World middleweight title against Peter Quillin, and will air live on Showtime starting at 10 p.m. ET.

The 28-year-old southpaw has fought out of his native Argentina since 2008 (27-1, 21 KOs). “El Jinete” won the interim WBA World featherweight title by decisioning Claudio Marrero in August 2013 and has successfully defended his title four times, most recently in June by knocking out Vic Darchinyan in the eighth. Named regular WBA World featherweight champ in February, the Argentine’s sole loss came in October 2011, stopped by Oscar Escandon via seventh-round TKO.

“I am glad to be defending my world title once again this year against a solid fighter like Jonathan Oquendo, who is fresh off a great win over Jhonny Gonzalez,” said Cuellar. “Oquendo comes forward all the time, so it will be a war. It will be a great card in the borough of Brooklyn and on Showtime, so I have to deliver a great show. I have to get a big win so that I can get Leo Santa Cruz (WBA Super World featherweight champ) in the ring with me.”

Thirty-two-year-old Oquendo is an 11-year pro who fights out of Puerto Rico (26-4, 16 KOs). He most recently fought in September, decisioning Jhonny Gonzalez. Ranked ninth by the WBA, “El Polvo” last tasted defeat in July 2014, decisioned by Abner Mares. Oquendo has been stopped twice, first by Juan Manuel Lopez via third-round TKO in February 2008, then by Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. via seventh-round TKO in October 2012. The Puerto Rican also lost to Oscar Andrade, who won by disqualification in April 2007.

“I’m very happy about this opportunity because it is my first world title fight and I’m going to fight in New York for the first time in my career with the support of all the Puerto Ricans there,” said Oquendo. “After my victory over Jhonny Gonzalez, I rested several days and then started training for this important fight. I know that Cuellar beat ‘JuanMa’ Lopez and I want to avenge my friend and fellow Puerto Rican’s loss. I’m training hard to become the next world champion for Puerto Rico.”

This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.


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