Holyfield:

Fres didn't want to fight!

By Byron Spurlock / Photos: Robert Hughes

"I'm not impressed with my performance, but I got the job done, and in the end, that's what counts," said four-time former world champion Evander Holyfield after his unanimous twelve round decision over Fres Oquendo on Friday night before 10,000+ at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas.

"First I would like to give thanks to the Lord for giving me the talent to perform tonight. I thought tonight was ten rounds and not twelve. I don't know how they sneaked this one past me.

"The plan tonight was for me to box and if I can knock him out, I was going to knock him out, simple as that. Oquendo was not my type of fighter. I would have never chosen a fighter like this to fight with because they move away too much. I'm sure the fight didn't have the excitement that many were expecting but I didn't lose my focus and didn't just chase him around the ring like he wanted me to do."

In regard to his corner's instructions during the fight, Evander stated "Ronnie (Shields) was trying to get me to take the fight to him, but the thing is, Oquendo, was not letting me fight that way because of the way he was running so much. Ronnie has told me that the most important thing is throw combinations and keep busy, but you can't throw combinations to someone who backs back all the time. I was trying to initiate the action, and bring the fight but he didn't want to fight tonight."

As to whether he felt he looked impressive, Holyfield commented, "A true boxing fan would understand that it takes two people to box, and tonight I did what I could to bring the action. Remember the fights that were wars had two people fighting, and tonight Oquendo didn't want to fight me."

"I do all that I do to please my trainer. I didn't want Ronnie to feel that I wasn't doing what he told me, but once again, it takes two people to fight."

With Fres Oquendo behind him, who's next? "We are looking at a champion right now," revealed Evander. "We are still trying to negotiate a deal, and right now the fight could come off in the first part of next year."

As for where his next fight would take place, Holyfield stated, "I like to go places that I'm welcomed. So far, Texas has welcomed me back into boxing so this is where I'm fighting....Texas gave me my boxing license back and that's why my last two fights have been in Texas."

Promoter Murad Muhammad added, "He is the only heavyweight that we have today that gives Americans hope and reason to believe that we can reclaim the titles to this side of the waters. Evander is not the black hope or the white hope but the hope of America in heavyweight boxing and bring the titles back over here.

"Fighters come into this business for three reasons and that is to win a title, make money and make money. And right now in the heavyweight division the way fighters are going to make money is fighting Evander Holyfield.

"Holyfield will get the fight he is looking for because he brings the name and is known around the world. We have had several offers for our next fight, and as for now, we are looking at locations for our next fight."