Archie Ray Marquez, Albuquerque Star Boxer on the Rise
Archie Ray Marquez, Albuquerque Star Boxer on the Rise
By Dan Hernandez
Focused, clear-headed, talented, dedicated, goal-oriented, undefeated boxer, family man. That pretty well describes Archie Ray Marquez, and soon, he hopes, we can add world champion to his credits. Born August 29, 1988, this young man of twenty-one is in the prime of his life and thanks to his promotional team headed by the well-respected Gary Shaw, top-notch trainer, Sergio Chavez ,in addition to the management of Jacob Maes and Archie Marquez , appears to be headed to the top of his chosen profession. Beyond managing, the elder Marquez has doubled as grandfather and father to Archie Jr. since the loss of Mark Sanchez, the boxer’s father who passed away many years ago.
Archie Ray’s professional ring record stands at 10-0 (7 KO’s), and he feels that, thanks to his association with Gary Shaw, he is able to devout all of his efforts toward obtaining his boxing goals. Boxing is now his full-time job. His wife Jamie and their two children, Archie Jr. and Angel, are the beneficiaries of Archie’s work ethic, clean living, and positive attitude. Although preparing for another big fight on May 14 at Santa Yanez, California, which will be nationally televised by SHOWBOX, The New Generation, Archie was kind enough to sit down from his busy schedule and share these thoughts on boxing and life in the following interview.
DH: Archie, you fought last on Jan. 29 in Albuquerque against Derrick Campos, how did that go?
I was just doing my job, it went well. I got the unanimous decision in the eight rounds.
DH: The reports were that Campos was getting stronger and may have had a better chance if it had been a longer fight. What do you think?
If it had gone longer I think it would have gotten even better for me. Every round I was actually feeling better and better and I was getting stronger. If it had gone ten, I probably could have stopped him. Even better, we fought right here in my hometown of Albuquerque at Tingley Coliseum.
DH: How do you like New Mexico?
It’s beautiful here, I love it.
DH: You turned 21 recently, did you go crazy celebrating?
Oh no, I don’t drink and stuff like that.
DH: How do you avoid all that temptation?
Well, actually, my wife, she don’t let me drink and I don’t like to really drink. Plus my family is very strong and I wasn’t raised with drinking and stuff.
DH: Do you have children?
I have two kids, a boy and a girl.
DH: I have three girls, but my baby is older than you!
(Laughter)
DH: You obviously want to become a champion, however, you also want to be a good citizen and a good father.
Yeah, that’s my goal. I want to be a world champ for my kids so they can have stuff. I want to be a world champ for my family.
DH: When did you know that you were a good fighter?
Actually, I just kept doing it and doing it and progressed and got better and better. I never really thought I was good. You know I’m not really a trash talking fighter, you know, I just kept working hard and this is where is brought me so far. The road I’ve been going on has led me to where I’m at today.
DH: I understand the training for fights is harder than the actual fights.
I have a good trainer named Sergio Chavez, and he makes sure that we don’t do the same training everyday. We always change it up and do different stuff so training never gets boring or hard, it’s just my job. I love to train, I mean, I love it!
DH: Has the world changed for you since hooking up with Gary Shaw?
I’ve gotten better fights; I’ve been on TV twice. Every time I fight there has been something new and then there have been different people teaching me new things. Now I have fought against almost every different style you can imagine.
DH: What is your record now?
Its 10-0 with 7 KO’s.
DH: Were you surprised that your last fight went the distance?
No, I knew Campos was a real durable fighter that had never been stopped. He is a real tough fighter and I wasn’t really looking for a knockout, I was just going in there and boxing.
DH: Has it helped to be paid to train as well as fight?
Yes I think so; my life is boxing and my family. My family knows how I have to focus so when a fights coming up it’s pure boxing.
DH: Do you have to be away from your family when training?
No, just prior to a fight. As I go higher up in the rankings I’ll probably have to get away from the family. You know with training camp and stuff like that. But in the meantime, no I don’t. I just leave them alone for about a week or so before a fight.
DH: You are co-managed by your grandfather/father. Did he get you started in boxing?
He got me into it. As a young kid we used to always watch fights together. When I was real young he got me a pair of gloves and I’d be hitting the pillows with him and messing around at home. I had to talk my mom into it. She resisted at first and then finally said, “All Right”.
DH: Was your grandfather a boxer?
He wasn’t a boxer officially. When he was younger he did box, but not professionally. He just has a love for the sport.
DH: Many boxers end up beat up or having slurred speech. Is that of any concern to you?
It’s in the back of your mind, you think of things like that. I don’t let that bother me, it isn’t a worry to me because I just decided I loved boxing and it’s what I want to do. It is in the back of your mind, you think about it when you see Muhammad Ali and a few boxers that hang out around here that seem a little punchy.
DH: I understand. More specifically, do you have a plan for beyond boxing or when will be the latest you intend to box?
Actually I’ve been thinking about that. I’ve wanted to go back to school. I’ve been fighting so much, it’s been busy but I have considered going back to school. When I have a little time I’m going to go back to school and take classes for something.
DH: What interests you?
Right now I don’t really know, but there are a lot of things up in the air that I want to do.
DH: Yes, I’ve communicated with Bob Foster, the former great light-heavyweight champion from New Mexico. He is still very sharp and retired recently from a career as a policeman.
That’s what I was thinking of doing too, being a policeman. I’m just not sure yet, there are a couple of things I’ve been wanting to do, working for the police is one of them.
DH: Being a boxer and interested in police work, you must be fearless. How did you get fearless?
(Laughter)
I don’t know, just the way I am I guess.
DH: Did you ever get in trouble in school for fighting?
No, I never got in trouble and rarely got in fights. When I was younger, like elementary school I had messed around a bit.
DH: Are there any particular goals you’d like to share?
Being a champion. Being at the top, that’s what my goal is.
DH: When is your next fight?
It will be in California on May 14. It will be televised but my opponent has not been set as yet. It doesn’t matter.
DH: Do you watch films of your next opponents when training?
We have them and my trainer watches but I like figuring the guys out for myself. The first round I look closely and see what they have. My coaches tell me some of their flaws and weaknesses so I know what to look for and counter those mistakes. I’m always in top condition.
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Posted by Dan Hernandez
on Mar 2 2010 Filed under Buzz, Featured, Interviews.
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