The stars will be shining very bright deep in the heart of Texas tomorrow night.  Today, I had the opportunity to interview the star that could be shining brightest by the end of the night.  That star has a name and it’s Roberto Marroquin.

First of all, I want you, the reader to know that I have personally watched and judged Roberto in the amateur ranks.  In my opinion, he is one of the most well rounded boxers I have ever seen.  He has all the tools, and now, the power to go with it.  I rate him up there with other guys that used to be hot prospects, like Yuriorkis Gamboa and Andre Berto, who are now champions, and I think he will follow their footsteps.  You heard it here, first!   Also, did I mention, he’s only nineteen?

I caught Roberto just before he left to today’s weigh ins, and captured a glimpse into his journey as a rising super star.

NTB - Roberto, how long have you been boxing?

RM - “I started boxing in the summer of 1998.”  Roberto also mentioned that he “never liked to watch people boxing”, he liked actually being in the ring, ”performing”.

NTB – What gym do you train out of and who’s your coach?

RM – “Raul Martinez is my trainer, and for the last year and a half I’ve been training at Vivero’s in Oak Cliff.”  Roberto has been with Raul Martinez since day one.

NTB – What was your amateur record with USA Boxing?

RM - “I would have to go look it up in my books, but it was around 250 fights with 20 to 25 losses.”  Today as a pro he is 7-0 with 5 KO’s

NTB –You have represented our country all over the world as an amateur, how has your experience as an amateur helped you, as you embark on your pro career?

RM – Since he’s been boxing for such a long time already, Roberto finds that his experience “makes it easier to adapt to different styles of fighters” for instance, “a hit and run style.”  Roberto also remarked, “a lot of the pros with out experience cannot adapt so easily, causing them issues” in a short “four round fight.”

NTB – I really believed you would have represented the US in the 2012 Olympics, but you decided to turn pro, at just 18, why?

RM – Roberto said that he also thought he had a “good chance at 2012, but that’s really not for sure.”  He was, “never disappointed in losing 18-14 in the Olympic trials because so many people wanted to be there , but it was a long road.”  Roberto, found it difficult being on the road in different states and countries for “two weeks or more”, at a time and all while he was still, ”growing.”  He, “sat with his coaches and talked about all the options, since Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank Boxing, were handing me contracts after the Olympic trials.  It was never about the money, but I couldn’t turn down Top Rank.”

NTB – What loss in the amateurs would you most like to avenge as a professional?

RM – “As everyone would say, Gary Russell Jr., it was a big opportunity missed.”  From the year 2000, “I sacrificed everything for the Olympics and I lost by 4 points.”

NTB – Many people don’t know that you beat, Luis Yanez “The Latin Legend”, in the amateurs, and right now you both are two of the hottest prospects in all of boxing. Do you want to box him as a pro?

RM – Yes, and “if I do it would be at 122lb. and later in the future,” for right now it’s, “too big of a risk for both of us.”  Roberto made clear that he, ”wants to fight to let everyone see his qualities.”
Roberto also wanted to clear up whatever bad blood there appears to be between him and Yanez, he said he respects Yanez as a fighter and, ”I take off my hat to him” for his efforts as an amateur.

NTB – When did you get signed with Bob Arum and Top Rank Boxing and why Arum?

RM - He signed with the powerful Bob Arum on January 19, 2008.  Through due diligence and “research” the young Marroquin, decided to sign with Top Rank and forgo the opportunity with Golden Boy Promotions (GBP).  Roberto showed business savvy when he realized that fighting a 3 fight “test” with GBP, before they would sign a deal with him, was not in his best interest.  He’s very happy with Top Rank and feels they know how to nurture a potential champion.

NTB – What has been the hardest part of turning pro?

RM – “Head butts, I was cut on the forehead in my forth fight.”, but the best part of turning pro for Marroquin is the crowds, “I love the crowds”,  he feels their support and it gets him fired up.

NTB – You’ve already had a taste of the “big time” while boxing in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand and The Hard Rock Casino.  What was that experience like?

RM – “It was a huge experience, it made me feel that I was already a world champion.  At the weigh ins I was there with De la Hoya, Pacquiao, Marquez and Vasquez and Bernard Hopkins was also walking around.”  Roberto found the experience to be surreal, being surrounded by some of this era’s best champions.

NTB – Since you’re so young, do you plan on going to college, much like, Houston’s Juan ”the Baby Bull” Diaz? 

RM – One of Roberto’s main reasons for becoming a pro boxer was to get his education and to be able to “pay his way through school.”  He currently attends “Northwood College, in Cedarhill” and plans on becoming an accountant. 

NTB –It’s been almost a year since you last boxed in Texas, how good does it feel to fight in front of your hometown fans and family?

RM – Roberto enthusiastically remarked that it is the “best feeling ever”, and that he has “waited so long” for this opportunity.  He also commented that was really “looking forward to it.”

NTB – Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

RM – “I see myself with a bachelor degree in accounting and I hope to be a world champion.”

Just a little advice Roberto, go to UTA in Arlington it has the best accounting program in Texas UTA is where Roland Gamez and “yours truly” graduated from, both in accounting.

NTB – What’s the game plan for Friday’s bout, will you be looking for the KO?

RM – “The goal is to be victorious and if the opportunity to get the knockout” presents itself, “I will take it.” He won’t promise a knockout, but he does promise to, “get in there and do my job” putting on a “good show for my fans.”

NTB –Is there anything you would like to say to your supporters?

RM – “I would definitely like to say thank you to every one of them.”  He really appreciates all the support he’s received for the upcoming show in Frisco commenting that, “without them, there would be no show.”   Roberto promises always to, “give them their monies worth.”

Tomorrow night, Friday June 19th promises to be an action packed boxing card with 5 excellent match ups.  The third highlight bout features Roberto Marroquin.  “Friday Night Fights in Frisco” is the event and it will be held in the very comfortable and newly renovated Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas.  Fights start at 7:30pm and you can find a link to tickets on our home page.  Now if you’re a mma fan, you shouldn’t miss this event, it promises to be as much action and excitement as any fight card, either boxing or mma.