PROMOTIONAL powerhouse Top Rank today announced the signing of 19-year-old Texan welterweight Arturo Marquez, the son of Mexico-born former IBF super-welterweight champion Raul Marquez.
Arturo has so far had one professional bout – a second-round stoppage of fellow Houston resident Justin Henderson last month. Following the announcement of his first pro contract, the teenage prospect, who is trained by his his grandfather (Raul’s father) and uncle (Raul’s brother), declared that he is “excited about the years to come.”
Top Rank chief Bob Arum stated that he would “keep Arturo busy” in order for him to achieve his full potential in the sport.
“Arturo’s goal is not only to be a champion, but to be a superstar,” Arum said. “With Arturo’s determination, Top Rank will make him a superstar. I go back a long way with Raul, and I know what an outstanding character he is. Arturo is a chip off the old block in this sense, and he can go on to surpass his father’s achievements.”
It was 19 years ago this weekend that Raul, boxing on a show promoted by Top Rank in Las Vegas, became a world champion by stopping Louisiana-based Anthony Stephens in nine rounds. The 1992 US Olympian believes his son is in perfect hands in Arum.
“I’ve known Bob for many years,” Raul stated. “He made me a world champion 19 years ago, and now I’m bringing my son to him. I was a come-forward type of fighter, but Arturo’s smarter and more technical than I was.”
