Giovanni Marquez aims to be ‘future of boxing’

Giovanni Marquez has always appreciated the special place his hometown Astros, Rockets and Texans have in the heart of most Houston sports fans. He has proudly cheered for those teams and most athletes from H-Town. 

Unlike many of his friends, though, he didn’t necessarily dream of playing for his local professional sports teams. The son of former world boxing champion Raul Marquez had different aspirations with somewhat of a similar goal.

He wants to be a popular Houston franchise as well, which is why his fight Friday night on Overtime Boxing’s second boxing card is so important for Marquez. 

“In Houston we have big franchises,” Giovanni Marquez said. “Everybody supports the Astros, the Rockets and Texans. I want to be a big Houston franchise name like the Astros, the Rockets and Texans. I want the Marquez family and Giovanni Marquez to be in the talks with those names.”

With that goal in mind, Giovanni Marquez (5-0, three KOs) eagerly signed to fight arguably the biggest bout of his career. He’ll be on the third fight of the five-bout Overtime Boxing card at Atlanta’s OTE Arena. The fight will be streamed on DAZN.

Embracing Overtime Boxing platform

Overtime Boxing is part of the widely successful Overtime Elite (OTE) basketball brand that had four players selected in the recent NBA draft. Since 2021, OTE has been a prep school/basketball league with a popular media platform.

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The Rockets actually selected OTE’s Amen Thompson fourth overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Overtime Boxing hopes to play a similar role developing young boxing prospects through Overtime Boxing cards this summer.

“They’re doing everything first class,” said Raul Marquez, the 1992 Team USA Olympian and former world middleweight boxing champ. “It’s a lot of exposure. We’re excited to be fighting on this card. … It’s a great opportunity for Giovanni.”

Raul Marquez knows the boxing world as well as anybody. He has had a distinguished career as a boxing broadcaster since his fighting career ended.

The champ famously known as El Diamante also has his own boxing gym in Humble, Texas, in the Houston suburbs. Raul Marquez has meticulously guided Giovanni’s boxing career, just as his father Arturo trained him three decades earlier.

Giovanni Marquez confident

Giovanni, who was 75-12 as an amateur, turned pro a few months after winning the 152-pound Golden Gloves national title in 2021. He has sparred with world champions such as Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney, O’shaquie Foster over the last two years. 

Giovanni made his debut in 2022 on SHOWTIME’s ShoBox: The New Generation, so he has already fought before a national television audience.

“I feel like my pro debut there was a lot more pressure,” Giovanni Marquez said. “I always fight (in front of) big crowds in Houston. My pro debut was on national television. I’ve been blessed to go to big fights with my dad.”

Giovanni has grown up in a boxing family attending some of the biggest bouts in boxing. He was only 12 when he attended Floyd Mayweather’s victory over Saul “Canelo” Alvarez almost a decade ago. 

Texas heat different 🔥😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/sLiJbu8P8B

— Giovanni Marquez (@giomarquez36) June 29, 2023

He recently attended Gervonta “Tank” Davis’ victory over Ryan Garcia, which was one of the most anticipated fights in years. Giovanni was also at Canelo’s victory over Caleb Plant in 2021.

The Summer Creek High graduate aspires to be in those types of championship fights. To that end, the 5-foot-9, 142-pounder eagerly accepted Overtime Boxing’s offer to fight against Nicky Vatone (9-2-1).

“I just want to show the world what I’m about,” Giovanni said. “Show them my skills, my talent, my hunger. I want to show the world that I’m the future of boxing.”