THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 5, 1996 TAG: 9603050315
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY KEITH POMPEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Raul Marquez wants people to take notice tonight when he faces Darrin Morris for the vacant USBA junior middleweight title at Scope.
``I want to look impressive in what I have to do,'' Marquez said of his 12-round fight (TV: 9 p.m., USA). ``No matter if it's body shots or combinations, I'm trying to look good. I'll do whatever it takes.''
Looking good shouldn't be a problem for the 24-year-old Houston native. The 1992 Olympic bronze medalist is 22-0 with 16 knockouts. And he is ranked No. 2 in the world by the International Boxing Federation at 154 pounds.
But unlike some Olympic boxers who turned pro, Marquez isn't a household name. And in South Hampton Roads, more people are talking about Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker's charity exhibition than Marquez's title fight.
``That frustrates me sometimes,'' Marquez said. ``Pernell is not the star of the show. But my time will come soon. That's why this fight is very important.
``Winning the USBA title is the first step towards a world title. Most people who become world champions have been either an NABF or USBA champion. If I look good my world title shot should comes this year.''
On paper, his first step is a tough one. Morris (24-2-1) is ranked No. 4 by the IBF. But Marquez isn't impressed. He came to Norfolk, he said, to win the belt ``and take it back to Houston.''
``Raul is ready,'' said his trainer, Ronnie Shields. ``He is doing all the right things it takes to win. He works hard and he listens in the gym. A guy who listens to you and works hard. I doubt if he loses. He's a real good student of boxing.
``I know he's ready.'' ILLUSTRATION: FIGHTS TONIGHT
WHAT: Five pro boxing matches, including two championship bouts,
plus an exhibition by WBC welterweight champion Pernell ``Sweetpea''
Whitaker.
WHEN: Tonight. First bout, 7 p.m.; Whitaker exhibition, 8:20
p.m.; first of two co-main events, 9 p.m.
WHERE: Scope, downtown Norfolk.
HOW MUCH: Tickets are $5 to $25, available at Scope box office,
Wareing's Gym in Virginia Beach and Ticketmaster. Or, $1 donation
with special coupons from Rally's restaurants or The
Virginian-Pilot.
PROCEEDS: Part of ticket price donated to the Diabetes
Foundation. Whitaker exhibition proceeds to The Virginian-Pilot's
Joy Fund.
THE BOUTS: Raul Marquez vs. Darrin Morris, 12 rounds, USBA junior
middleweight championship; Andrew Council vs. Ronald ``Winky''
Wright, 12 rounds, NABF super welterweight championship; Derrell
``Too Sweet'' Coley vs. Ed Goins, 10 rounds, welterweights; Tony
Pope vs Anthony Bradley, eight rounds, super middleweights; Dorin
Spivey vs. Theo Holland, six rounds, junior welterweights; Andre
Carter vs. Tony Rios, four rounds, junior welterweights.
by CNB