Fres Oquendo on comeback trail

After a two-year hiatus from the ring (2010 to 2012), former heavyweight contender, Fres Oquendo (33-7, 21 KOs) is back this Friday at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Ind., with his second fight of the year against journeyman Joey Abell (28-5, 27 KOs). Oquendo has been in the ring with some of the top heavyweights of this era, including Evander Holyfield, James Toney, Chris Byrd, John Ruiz, and David Tua. Unfortunately, the Chicago-based Puerto Rican has lost to all of the top names on his resume. The 39-year-old's best victories have come against fringe contenders like David Izon, Javier Mora, Clifford Etienne, and Obed Sullivan, but hasn't scored a significant victory since a 2007 unanimous decision over Elieser Castillo. Most recently, Oquendo has lost two of his last three, dropping decisions to Jean-Marc Mormeck and Oliver McCall in 2010. The Minnestoa-based Abell has spent much of his seven-year career on the Minnesota club circuit, fighting opposition appropriate for the Minnesota club circuit. In January of 2011, in his biggest bout to date, Abell was knocked out in one round and then given a good-night kiss by Chris Arreola.