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Giovanni Marquez is receiving a top education in the fight game and he could not have a better teacher to learn from.
Marquez will face Luis Valetin Portalatin of Puerto Rico tonight at the Lone Star Convention and Expo Center in Conroe, Texas, not far from his hometown of Houston. The four-round bout will be the co-main event of a El Tigre Promotions card.
At Friday’s weigh-in, Marquez weighed in at 143 pounds. Portalatin weighed 144.8 pounds.
Marquez (3-0, 2 knockouts) last fought on August 13, stopping William Davis in the third round. The win over Davis took place less than two months after Marquez dropped Ariel Vasquez multiple times before winning by knockout.
The 21-year-old will face a modest opponent in Portalatin (3-4, 1 KO). Despite Portalatin having lost his last four bouts after winning his previous three, Marquez is not overlooking his opponent, but is confident he can break him down.
“My opponent (tonight) is game,” Marquez told BoxingScene Friday afternoon. “He’s gone up against top prospects and held his own and, for the most part, has gone the distance with them. Being that he is known to be durable, my goal is to not only win but win by knockout or stoppage.”
Just months ago, Marquez was finishing his decorated amateur career. Even in the amateurs, Marquez had a pro style that suited him fine.
Even at a young age, Marquez has the ability to study his opponents and pick up on weaknesses or tendencies that stand out that he is able to capitalize on. Despite being successful early on, Marquez understands he has to continue developing as he has yet to reach his peak.
“My transition from the amateurs to the pros over the last several months has been great,” said Marquez. “I’ve always had a pro-like style since the amateurs so the transition hasn’t been difficult at all.
“Some aspects of the fight game where I’ve acclimated well is my ability to break down my opponents, place my punches and staying relaxed in the ring. I will continue to develop and improve each and every fight. From my pro debut to present day, I feel I’ve already improved immensely.”
Marquez is the son of former IBF world junior middleweight titleholder and 1992 U.S. Olympian Raul Marquez, who currently serves as Giovanni’s trainer. With his Dad in his corner, Giovanni Marquez made his pro debut on March 11, defeating Nelson Marquez by unanimous decision.
Giovanni Marquez is grateful for the wisdom and guidance his father Raul has provided thus far. He hopes to continue winning and make his father proud.
“I am very grateful to have my father, a former Olympian and world champion, as my trainer. The amount of knowledge he has when it comes to the boxing game is crazy. And his knowledge continues to grow as he is a broadcaster watching prospects and elite fighters fight all the time. He pours out all this knowledge into me and I just soak it up and use it to my advantage.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.