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Osquendo KO's Izon

© Joseph Bruno

Late substitution Fres Osquendo from Chicago propelled himself into the middle of the heavyweight title picture, with a surprisingly easy 3rd round TKO over David Izon, Saturday night, December 1. at the Jacob Javitz Civic Center in New York City. The fight was televised nationally on HBO's "Boxing After Dark."

The 220-pound Osquendo, who took the fight on one week's notice after Russian heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko withdrew due to injury, dominated the fight from the opening bell with a stiff left jab that seemed magnetized to the 228-pound Izon's face. In the third round Osquendo opened up by adding the right cross to his combinations of punches. He trapped Izon in a neutral corner, and although Izon fought back gallantly, he was absorbing tremendous punishment when referee Mike Ortega jumped in and stopped the fight at 2:54 of round three.

The proposed Izon-Klitschko fight was supposed to be an American showcase for Klitschko, who is recognized as heavyweight champion by the fringe World Boxing Organization (WBO). But seven days before the fight, Klitschko contacted HBO, and said he hurt his shoulder and would be unable to fight. The semi-main event heavyweight fight between Lance "Goofi" Whitaker and Jameel McCline was moved up to the main event and Osquendo was brought in to face Izon on the undercard.

''I'm the future,'' said Osquendo, 22-0, with 13 knockouts and originally from Puerto Rico. ''I knew Izon was one of the best coming into the fight. He gave me the opportunity, and I thank him. This was by far my most spectacular performance. I knew Izon was one of the best in the world, and he gave me a chance to step up.''

Osquendo is presently ranked fourth by the World Boxing Council and fifth by the International Boxing Federation. And with three impressive knockout wins this year over Clifford Etienne, Obed Sullivan and now David Izon, he is clearly a legitimate top-ten heavyweight and a factor to be dealt with in the future.

The likely next opponent for Osquendo is Chris Byrd, the No. 1 IBF contender and former WBO Heavyweight champion. As for the possibility of fighting Byrd, Osquendo said, ''It would be a classic. I'm ready baby.''

Izon, a former silver medalist for Nigeria in the 1992 Olympics, insisted "Osquendo never hurt me." But in fact, Izon was never really in the fight. According to Compubox, Izon landed just nine of 72 punches, while Osquendo connected on 60 of 112 punches.

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