Chicagoland promoter Bobby Hitz is proud to announce he has signed a quartet of talented fighters to promotional agreements including the Brothers Amidu, Yakubu and Abdullai, talented lightweight Chris Singleton, and a co-promotional deal (along with Square Ring Promotions) with Chicago’s own former world heavyweight title challenger “Fast” Fres Oquendo.
26-year-old Los Angeles-based Ghanaian Yakubu “Black Mamba” Amidu (19-2-1, 17 KOs), is the current NABA-US Lightweight Champion. He made his Chicago-area debut last April with a unanimous decision over capable John Revish and followed it up with an impressive knockout over Damon Antoine in Rosemont, Illinois, last May.
Yakubu’s brother, 28-year-old undefeated knockout artist Abdullai Amidu (19-0, 17 KOs) has worked as a sparring partner for pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and was last seen winning a decision over Cristian Favela in August 2010.
“Both brothers are fantastic, all-action fighters,” said Hitz. “The fans at my shows have already taken to Yakubu and his ‘take no prisoners’ approach and they’re going to love Abdullai when he gets in there this year.”
27-year-old Lafayette, Louisiana lightweight Chris Singleton (2-0, 2 KOs) came to Chicago last April and was so impressive in stopping formerly undefeated Russell Fiore in one round that Hitz quickly signed him.
“I’ve got a pretty good eye for talent and this kid most certainly has it,” explained Hitz. “He came into, basically, the other kid’s backyard and just tore into him. Great power. Good fundamentals. We’ll develop Singleton properly and make a contender out of him.”
During his long career as a world-class heavyweight, Oquendo (32-7, 21 KOs) has held numerous regional belts and taken on a long list of other top-quality big men.
He has also been plagued by questionable scoring. In 2003, he dropped a highly questionable decision to then IBF champion Chris Byrd in an unsuccessful challenge for the title. In 2008, a point deduction for a rabbit punch cost him a draw against multiple world champion James Toney. His two most recent setbacks were also dubious in nature.
“There’s no question Fres is still an elite heavyweight,” asserted Hitz. “He’s had some bad luck fighting in other people’s hometowns, so Square Ring Promotions and Hitz Boxing are going to resurrect his fortunes and get him back on track for another title shot.”
