Toka Khan Clary vs Jonathan Oquendo Preview November 19th, 2022
Junior lightweights Jonathan Oquendo of Puerto Rico and Toka Khan Clary of Liberia return to the ring for the first time since 2020 when they meet in a 10 rounder in Lincoln, Rhode Island this Saturday, November 19th. Oquendo last fought in September, 2020 when he was disqualified in the eighth round for intentional headbutts against Jamel Herring in a shot at the WBO Jr. Lightweight Title. Clary last saw action against Shakur Stevenson in December, 2020 and dropped a unanimous 10-round decision.
Clary vs Oquendo Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Jonathan Oquendo +275
- Toka Khan Clary -375
My Pick
Clary is a 30-year-old southpaw who possesses a record of 28-3 with 19 Ko’s and has boxed 149 rounds since turning pro in 2012. His first loss came at the hands of Jhon Gemino in just 90 seconds in 2016 and he also dropped a 12-round unanimous decision to Kid Galahad in 2018. His last defeat came in his latest outing to Stevenson two years ago. Although he was born in Liberia, Clary is now based in Providence, Rhode Island and has fought his entire career in America after moving there as a six-year-old.
Clary, who stands 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 72.5-inch reach, enjoyed a fine amateur career with a reported record of 119-11. This includes a silver medal at the 2009 National Golden Gloves competition at 125 lbs. He then won the National Gloves title the next year at 123 lbs, won several other amateur medals, competed at the 2011 Pan American Games and Olympic Trials. He also won a silver and gold medal at the 2011 and 2012 U.S. Nationals respectively.
He’s basically flown under the radar as a pro but Clary has good skills and pretty good power with a current knockout ratio of 59.4 per cent. His biggest pro wins have been against the likes of Ramsey Luna, Chris Lopez, Jose Haro, Sergio Lopez, Mario Macias, Angel Luna, Emmanuel Dominguez and Carlos Reyes. He also won the vacant NABA Featherweight Title by stopping David Berna in the second round in 2017 and took the vacant NABA-USA Super Featherweight Title with a 10-round unanimous decision over Irvin Gonzalez in August, 2019.
Oquendo is now 39 years old and climbs through the ropes with a mark of 31-7 with 19 Ko’s. He’s known for his two world title shots as he was disqualified against Jamel Herring and dropped a unanimous decision to Jesus Cuellar for the WBA Featherweight Title in 2015. Since turning pro in 2004 he’s won a few minor titles though including the WBO Latino and the WBO NABO Super Bantamweight Titles as well as the interim WBO Latino Featherweight Belt and the WBO Latino Super Featherweight Title.
Oquendo stands 5-feet-4-inches in height with a 67-inch reach and has boxed 206 rounds since turning pro. He’s giving up two inches in height and 5.5-inches in reach to Clary. His other losses were a 10-round unanimous decision to Lamont Roach in May, 2019, a 10-round unanimous decision to Abner Mares in 2014, a seventh-round stoppage by Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. in 2012, a third-round stoppage by Juan Manuel Lopez in 2008 and a sixth-round disqualification against Oscar Andrade in 2007.
Oquendo has been stopped twice and disqualified twice in his seven pro defeats and his chin may be a bit of a question mark. He’s also fallen short when stepping up in class other than his encounter with Jhonny Gonzalez in 2015 but he has managed to also beat the likes of Eden Sonsona, Joe Luis Araiza, Alejandro Montiel, Charles Huerta and Guillermo Avila. He’s not the most dangerous puncher in the division either but has decent pop with a current career knockout ratio of 50 per cent.
Prediction…
Oquendo more of a rough and tumble, aggressive boxer while Clary depends a bit more on his skills. The best thing for Oquendo to do is rough him up a bit but make sure he doesn’t break any rules while he’s at it. Clary’s nine years younger than Oquendo and even though both boxers have been out of action since 2020 I’m expecting Clary to get past him in an interesting matchup.
I’m expecting this to be a fairly entertaining fight with Clary coming out on top.
Play Clary – 375@ BetOnline.ag
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Jonathan Oquendo betting • Toka Khan Clary betting