October 30, 2012 –
MAYETTA: Prairie Band Potawatomi (PBP) Common Land resident Marcus Oliveira (Menominee) captured the WBA Fedebol Light Heavyweight Title in Caracas, Venezuela last Saturday night after knocking out Bolivian boxer Ricky Torrez (18-6-1) in less than three minutes in the first round.
Oliveira, now 24-0 with one draw, lives with his family on the common land and works at the Prairie Band Casino & Resort. He is coached by Erik Riley who runs the Haskell Boxing Club in Lawrence and Oliveira fights under the banner of Underground Boxing (www.ubcboxing.com/) that is managed by Doug Ward. Additionally, Oliveira has recently been doing some strength training with Cody Wilson (Choctaw)), who also lives on the PBPN Common Land and is the Lifestyle Coach for the PBPN Health Center’s Diabetes Prevention Program.
Before winning the title, Oliveira was featured in an article that appeared inIndian Country Today on October 22 (www.indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2012/10/22/undefeated-light-heavyweight-a…). In the article he said was maturing and getting smarter as a fighter and credited Riley with helping him to break down his fight plans. He also spoke highly of Wilson by saying that Wilson was helping him improve physically in every area inside and outside of the boxing ring.
Manager Ward of Underground Boxing told the Potawatomi News, “Heading into the fight, a markedly determined Oliveira vowed to end it early and he did just that with an aggressive attack from the opening bell. Torrez had no answer for Oliveira’s hand speed, his punching power or his determination to make good on his promise. With this impressive win, Oliveira is on a fast track that will hopefully lead him toward the International Boxing Federation (IBF) Light Heavyweight Champion, Tavoris Cloud. “
Before his latest fight with Torrez, Oliveira knocked out Antwun Echols at the Menominee Casino and Resort in Keshena, Wisconsin on January 29. Oliveira has fought over 200 amateur fights and signed on with Don King Productions in 2010.