Raúl Márquez


Raúl Márquez is an American former boxer, and the former IBF champion at light middleweight. Márquez also represented the U.S. at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Personal life

Márquez resides in Houston and works as a color commentator for Showtime. He is married to Jeannette Marquez. He is a father of four boys and one daughter. Raúl Jr., Arturo, Giovanni, Liam and Alina. His son Giovanni is currently a top amateur boxer.

Amateur career

Márquez came to the U.S. in 1976 and began his boxing amateur career. His highlights included:
Márquez began his professional career after the 1992 Olympics and got off to an impressive start, winning his first 25 bouts.

IBF light middleweight title challenge

All those bouts set up a shot at the Vacant IBF Light Middleweight Title against Anthony Stephens. Márquez won by TKO to capture the belt. Raúl successfully defended his title twice, including a victory over Keith Mullings, before getting TKO'd by Mexican legend Yori Boy Campas.

Márquez vs. Vargas

In 1999, Márquez challenged then-undefeated IBF light middleweight champion Fernando Vargas, but was dominated and stopped in the eleventh round. Márquez took on another elite fighter in 2003, Shane Mosley, in a fight which ended in a bloody no contest after a clash of heads. In 2004, now campaigning at middleweight, Márquez took on the much stronger and then-undefeated Jermain Taylor, who won by TKO after Márquez's corner decided to pull him out in round nine.

IBF middleweight title run

On June 21, 2008, Márquez defeated Giovanni Lorenzo by unanimous decision in an IBF middleweight title eliminator. The fight took place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Márquez applied pressure, while Lorenzo tried to box from the outside. Márquez's workrate gave Lorenzo problems, for which he often no answer. Márquez was cut over the right eye in round ten, but Lorenzo was docked a point for a headbutt in the same round and the fighters continued to fight after the bell. Scores were 114–113 across the board for Márquez.
On November 8, 2008, at the age of 37, Márquez lost to then-defeated Arthur Abraham via sixth-round technical knockout at the Bamberg's Jako Arena, in what was the 8th defense of his IBF middleweight title.

Broadcasting

Márquez currently works on the announcing team for Showtime on their Spanish-language broadcasts, as well as the English-language ShoBox: The New Generation series. He has also worked for HBO, NBC, Telefutura and many other networks.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
47Loss41–4–1 Arthur AbrahamRTD6 2008-11-08 Brose Arena, BambergFor IBF middleweight title
46Win41–3–1 Giovanni LorenzoUD12 2008-06-21 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood
45Draw40–3–1 Bronco McKartMD10 2008-03-29 Soaring Eagle Casino, Mount Pleasant
44Win40–3 Jay PinaTKO2 2007-08-08 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood
43Win39–3 Jonathan CornTKO1 2007-03-16 Hard Rock Live, Hollywood
42Win38–3 Elco GarciaKO7 2006-09-22 Convention Center, Pasadena
41Win37–3 Sergio RiosTKO5 2006-07-08 Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder
40Win36–3 Miguel HernandezTKO9 2006-04-29 Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder
39Loss35–3 Jermain TaylorRTD9 2004-06-19 Home Depot Center, Carson
38Win35–2 Humberto ArandaKO4 2003-10-23 Reliant Arena, Houston
3734–2 Shane MosleyNC3 2003-02-08 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Las Vegas
36Win34–2 Anthony BrooksUD8 2002-03-08 Civic Center, Kissimmee
35Win33–2 Roberto BaroKO7 2001-08-23 Aerial Theater, Houston
34Win32–2 Tony MenefeeTKO4 2001-05-18 La Villa Real Convention Center, McAllen
33Win31–2 Rob BleakleyTKO5 2001-02-15 Aerial Theater, Houston
32Loss30–2 Fernando VargasTKO11 1999-07-17 Caesars Tahoe, Circus Maximus Showroom, StatelineFor IBF light middleweight title
31Win30–1 Michael LermaUD10 1999-03-19 Astro Arena, Houston
30Win29–1 Jose FloresUD10 1998-09-25 Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket
29Loss28–1 Yori Boy CampasTKO8 1997-12-06 Caesars Hotel & Casino, Atlantic CityLost IBF light middleweight title
28Win28–0 Keith MullingsSD12 1997-09-13 Thomas & Mack Center, Las VegasRetained IBF light middleweight title
27Win27–0 Romallis EllisTKO4 1997-07-05 Isle of Capri Casino, Lake CharlesRetained IBF light middleweight title
26Win26–0 Anthony StephensTKO9 1997-04-12 Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Las VegasWon vacant IBF light middleweight title
25Win25–0 Rafael WilliamsRTD5 1997-01-10 Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville
24Win24–0 Scott SmithKO2 1996-12-06 Lawlor Events Center, Reno
23Win23–0 Skipper KelpUD12 1996-03-05 Scope Arena, Norfolk
22Win22–0 James McCrayTKO6 1996-01-30 Medieval Times, Lyndhurst
21Win21–0 Ernie HouserTKO4 1995-07-09 Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno
20Win20–0 Floyd WilliamsUD10 1995-04-11 Bismarck Pavillon, Chicago
19Win19–0 Alain BonnamieUD10 1995-01-10 Pontchartain Center, Kenner
18Win18–0 Jorge VacaUD10 1994-11-05 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
17Win17–0 Darryl CherryTKO6 1994-10-01 Scope Arena, Norfolk
16Win16–0 Alex RiosKO1 1994-08-23 Cowtown Coliseum, Fort Worth
15Win15–0 Jacobo GarciaKO1 1994-07-27 Tijuana
14Win14–0 Patrick SwannTKO9 1994-04-16 Caesars Palace Sports Pavilion, Las Vegas
13Win13–0 John JeterPTS8 1994-02-22 Arena Theatre, Houston
12Win12–0 Reggie StricklandTKO1 1994-01-14 Carmel High School, Mundelein
11Win11–0 Eduardo AyalaPTS8 1993-07-24 Houston
10Win10–0 Tommy SmallUD8 1993-06-26 Convention Center, Atlantic City
9Win9–0 Mark AllmanTKO1 1993-05-28 Houston
8Win8–0 Jose Angel GarciaTKO4 1993-03-23 HemisFair Arena, San Antonio
7Win7–0 Leo EdwardsTKO3 1993-02-27 Showboat Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City
6Win6–0 Tyrone HaywoodTKO1 1993-02-06 Madison Square Garden, New York
5Win5–0 Andre BrownTKO1 1993-01-09 Houston
4Win4–0 Ivory TeagueTKO2 1992-12-01 Pavilion Convention Center, Virginia Beach
3Win3–0 Jose GonzalezRTD1 1992-11-13 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas
2Win2–0 Andre WatkinsKO1 1992-10-24 Cumberland County Civic Center, Portland
1Win1–0 Rafael RezzaqTKO4 1992-10-03 HemisFair Arena, San AntonioProfessional debut