Giovanni Marquez gets ‘big motivation’ ahead of homecoming match vs Jason Limon
Giovanni Marquez is enjoying the benefits of a ‘home game.’ That doesn’t mean he values these types of combat over others.
Marquez hopes to continue on the road to rivaling his father on the road.
The undefeated Marquez will face Jason Limon on Friday night at the Red Owl Boxing Arena in Marquez’s hometown of Houston, Texas. The eight-round bout, which will weigh in at 142 pounds, will precede two quarterfinal bouts for The OTX Tournament, an eight-fight junior middleweight tournament that has two bouts slated for April.
All three fights will be broadcast live on DAZN (8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT).
Marquez (9-0, 5 knockouts) has faced little opposition, so far, early in his career. In his last fight on March 29, Marquez defeated former fringe featherweight and junior lightweight champion Jayson Velez by unanimous decision. In his last fight on December 1, Marquez defeated Joshua David Rivera by decision in six one-sided rounds.
Opposing Marquez tomorrow will be Limon (8-1-1, 2 KOs), who has won his last four fights since his only loss as a champion in October 2022. Friday will be Marquez’s seventh fight in or around Houston, and while he enjoys the benefits of fighting in his hometown, he will be at his best.
“There’s a lot of motivation going into this fight,” Marquez told The Ring Tuesday. “There is a lot that motivates me that I have many family and friends who will be there in the war. I have to fight harder. Yes, OTX will be in our area. So that’s an extra incentive in itself.
“My opponent has a strong record. This will be a fun game for Houston and San Antonio (where Limon is from). There is more excitement and, again, more motivation.
“I learned from my last fight (with Velez). There is always room for improvement. I had to be more patient. This fight (against Limon) is eight rounds, so I have to use my jab a lot and use distance. I was rude, at times, in my last fight. I have to relax and stay focused. True professionals do that. “
Marquez has been training mostly in the Houston area, except for three weeks in Las Vegas, where he took on WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson.
The 23-year-old Marquez is coached by his father Raul, former world junior middleweight champion and 1992 United States Olympian Raul Marquez, who used to provide color commentary for Showtime shows and now does it for DAZN.
At a time when father-son relationships rarely work in boxing, especially with a trainer and a boxer, Marquez is very grateful to have his father as his trainer. He also revealed that it has brought them both closer, they entered and exited the ring.
“I’m definitely blessed to have my dad in my corner,” said Marquez, who is managed by David McWater. “He is a former Olympian and a great champion. He understands all aspects of the (boxing) business as a trainer and former fighter. Another thing is that my father has an open mind. I hear him and he hears me.
“I think I have more confidence because when he tells me something, I listen, I make it work, and I see the result. We talk a little bit about boxing outside the gym, but there is talk about other fights or about his comments about the fights he called on Showtime which is now DAZN. I have realized that boxing will always be there in my family. There is no rotation. That is our life. That is our mighty father and son. “
Marquez hopes to achieve more this year. He hopes to emerge victorious and establish himself as a top win prospect on Friday night. He hopes to stay busy and ready for whatever comes later this year.
“My short-term goal is to come out with a win (on Friday). I’m hoping to have another eight-round fight later this year, but I’m open to any opportunity that comes my way. I’ll take those chances.
“I’m 23 years old and I’m ready for anything.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has handled boxing in Southern California and internationally since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. They can be reached at [email protected]
