Raul Marquez, who spars with pro fighters while training, earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic boxing team Friday night by fighting like a pro.
Marquez, fighting efficiently with two-punch combinations, took a 78-43 decision over Antwun Echols in the Olympic Box-offs to land the 156-pound spot on the team heading for Barcelona.Four other fighters also made the 12-man team, including Chris Byrd, son of Olympic team coach Joe Byrd, who won at 165 pounds.
Marquez, who lost in the first round of the 1991 World Championships, has been a different and much improved fighter this year. He showed it by winning the Olympic Trials two weeks ago despite an injured left elbow and again Friday by dominating an outclassed Echols.
Marquez credited much of his improvement to his work with trainer Lou Duva, whose stable of pro fighters includes heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Under Duva, he has sparred with such fighters as welterweight champion Meldrick Taylor and former champion Rocky Lockridge.
"I think they're the best in the world," said Marquez, of Houston. "I spar with a lot of the pros and I've learned a lot from them and Lou Duva."
Marquez, who defeated Echols 71-18 in the Olympic Trials finals, hadn't sparred since the bout because of an inflammation in his elbow. But he showed little ring rust by dominating Echols in the first round with a snappy right jab and a strong left hand.
"The first round, I took his head off," Marquez said. "But then it seemed like he got his second wind and came back."