Floyd Mayweather, Canelo Alvarez, and “All the Top Names in Boxing” Stop Everything to Show Their Respect Whenever They Meet This Former World Champ

Floyd Mayweather Jr. may have retired, but his name still carries weight across the boxing world. But even legends of his stature bow in deference to some names. The legacy established by those worthy ones is something every boxer worth his salt strives to emulate. Rising prospect Giovanni Marquez is preparing himself for an upcoming event scheduled for May 31 at Houston’s Red Owl Boxing Arena. He will face Jason Limon from San Antonio, Texas.

The young boxer from Houston has a grand history to boast of. He is one of the four sons of former light middleweight champion and Olympian Raul Marquez. In a career that followed an outstanding amateur stint, ‘El Diamante’ fought high-caliber boxers such as Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley, and Jermain Taylor. His professional journey lasted just over a decade. However, the Mexico-born champion earned high esteem and reverence from almost all corners of the boxing world. Ahead of his tenth pro-fight, Giovanni Marquez sat down and shared what it means to be Raul Marquez’s son, but more significantly, the way some of the biggest names in the sport look up to ‘El Diamante’.

A Dose of Inspiration for Greats

“So you know, Floyd he always has big entourage, big security, but every time my pops, you know, catch his attention, he’ll stop everything,” said the 23-year-old Houston native. He shared how the undefeated former champion would welcome them at his place. ‘Money’ always made it a point to share his invaluable wisdom and experiences with them.

Given who his father is and what he stands for apart from his legacy as an Olympian and a former world champion, Giovanni Marquez recalled how so many A-listers would make a beeline to greet Raul Marquez. “All the top names in boxing, Floyd Mayweather, Canelo, when they see my pops, they have their respect for him as he was an Olympian, world champion, and just a real dude all around.”

The young boxer followed his illustrious father, learning the trade as an amateur. On March 11, he fought his first professional bout. Let’s take a look at what kind of a legend his father was.

Raul Marquez: A Boxing Gem

Born in Valle Hermoso, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Raul Marquez reached the United States in 1976. From 1987 to 1991, he won several national championships in both the welterweight and light middleweight divisions. His father remained a fervent fan of the combat sport and had once told Raul’s mother, “I’m going to make this kid a world champion.” The former fighter always attributed his success to his father and first began boxing inside his father’s garage when he was only seven years old.

Raul made his professional debut on October 3, 1992, winning the match against Rafael Rezzaq via technical knockout. Until 1997, Marquez was on a winning spree. On April 12, 1997, he won his first world title, grabbing the vacant IBF light middleweight title. 

However, seven months later, on December 6, he suffered his first defeat at the hands of Yori Boy Campas. It should be remembered that the setback followed 28 successful outings. Two years later, his second attempt at winning the light middleweight title failed; Fernando Vargas handed Marquez his second career defeat. Though his match against Shane Mosley ended up a ‘no contest’ on account of head-clash, ‘El Diamante’ took a break after Jermain Taylor inflicted his third career loss on June 19, 2004.

‘El Diamante’ bid goodbye to the sport for good in 2008 but has always maintained, “Boxing is such a brutal sport, but at the same time it’s a beautiful sport. It’s done a lot for me.” Which great boxer’s story inspires you the most? Please share the details with us in the comments below.