Roberto Marroquin, 25-3-1, (18KOs) is back in action this Saturday night in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, at the UAT - Universidad Autonoma De Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Marroquin, who resides in Dallas, Texas, joined the paid ranks in 2008, after an extensive amateur career, in which he won several silver medals, at the 2005 National Junior Olympics, 2006 International Aliyev Cup, the 2006 National PAL Championships, and a Gold medal at the 2006 National Junior Olympics, and once more at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.
Aside from winning a medal in the Olympic Trials, the other highlight of his amateur career is notching a win over current WBC Featherweight champion Gary Russell.
Leaving behind 165-15 mark in the unpaid ranks, Marroquin entered the pro-ranks right after the 2008 U.S Olympic Team Trial, going on to win 19 in a row, 14 by stoppage, before losing for the first time, a split decision, to Francisco Leal, (R.I.P) from which Marroquin learned a lot.
''No opponent is to be overlooked, Leal was a good fighter and it was a close fight.''
Against Leal, Marroquin took a loss on a decision, there was a clash of heads, bleeding badly, Marroquin could not see, he fought the best he could.
''Frankie was a tough guy, came to fight and won the fight.'' Said Marroquin.
Leal went on to battle the likes of future world champion Evgeny Gradovich before fighting Raul Hirales, in a fight in which Leal met his untimely end.
Marroquin soldiered through, going on to get his title shot... against Rigondeaux.
The fight against the ultra-difficult Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux took place on September of 2012 for the WBA 122 Lb. Title, ending on the wrong side of the ledger, no shame in losing to the most complicated fighter today.
In the fight against Daniel Diaz in 2013, Diaz dropped Marroquin in the first round, ruptured two ligaments in his right ankle, going on to fight the rest of the bout injured and after ten rounds, almost pulled it off, close fight, losing via split decision.
A rematch was set up, but was called off as a snowstorm came in and the card was canceled.
After the fight, Marroquin became a free agent, cutting ties with promoter Top Rank, who had signed him early on, in his career.
With two fights in the last two years, both by stoppage, a renewed Marroquin, still very young (26 years old) and enjoys very good height for the weight class at 5'9, he feels he has time on his side and the experience to achieve his goal of a world title... or two.
For this outing, Marroquin who has fought the majority of his bouts in the super bantamweight and Featherweight ranks, will be fighting in the Super Featherweight class in a ten round bout against an undefeated fighter in Carlos Diaz ''Chuko'' Ramirez, 19-0, (10KOs) hailing from Guadalajara, Mexico.
Having grown up and his body filled in and fighting in the Super Featherweight ranks for this bout, Marroquin states that he can still do Featherweight, but as this fight is at a catch-weight, he is comfortable and will see is this new weight class suits him best.
''I can do the weight, (Featherweight) but I have grown up and my body has filled out, I feel very good and strong now, and based on the outcome of this fight, me and my team will talk about which weight class we will stay in'' said Marroquin.
Long-time manager, Luis Perez since he turned pro, in one capacity or another, but as the main manager now, along with with Paul Reyes (trainer) and Sergio Diaz as the co-main manager.
A fixture in Texas boxing circles, Reyes had retired but came back for Marroquin.
In the last two outings for Marroquin, the Dallas, Texas fighter walked away with wins. The first one came against Miguel Soto, a previously undefeated Puerto Rican, beating him in four.
Another undefeated fighter in Kien Evans lost that status against Marroquin, who took the WBC / U.S.A Feather title.
Getting a win against Ramirez this Saturday night is crucial, as a loss is a monkey-wrench at best, with a win, leading the way to another title shot in the near future.
The fight card will be presented by Zanfer promotions.
BeINsports en Espanol will televise in the U.S., while Azteca 7 will handle the broadcast in Mexico.
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