By Andy Rivera: Some people in local boxing circles have said Albuquerque, NM (USA) Archie Ray Marquez is stepping it up too fast against battle tested Derrick Campos in front of a world wide audience on Showtime Boxing on Friday night.
Marquez will be fighting his toughest opponent to date in Campos, but Marquez doesn’t feel he is jumping into the Lions Den to soon. "I’m moving right where I want to be, if I don’t fight these types of fighters then I’m not going to better myself,” said Marquez after an early Sunday morning workout.
Marquez 9-0 (7), will fight Campos 20-7, this coming Friday night in his hometown, a return to Albuquerque after eight fights on the road after winning his pro debut. Marquez is excited about fighting in front of his hometown fans and doesn’t feel any pressure in doing so.
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"I feel no pressure at all, it was time to come back after fighting on the road and its a good opportunity for me, its was time to come back home, I had fun gaining experience on the road but its time to come back."
Marquez feels it is just another fight to where he wants to be in the next few years, which is to win a world title and join the likes of Bob Foster, Johnny Tapia and Danny Romero Jr. as world champions from New Mexico.
"Campos is a durable fighter." said Marquez " He fought Demitri Salita who just fought for a world title and has been in with experienced fighters his whole career, so it should be a tough test. "
Marquez’s trainer Sergio Chavez is happy that his fighter is going in with someone like Campos and insists the test is good for Marquez at this stage of his career.
"Campos is a durable fighter, he doesn’t take a step back once he’s hit and he has been in the ring with good fighters and has held his own."
Chavez also feels that Marquez needs to fight and improve each time out and not pad his record.
"Archie has stepped it up each fight and he is prepared,in condition and is ready to shine in this fight. I know people may think were taking on a tough tough opponent but we need to fight fighters like this to advance."
Marquez, who has a four year deal with Gary Shaw Promotions looks to have a minor title shot this year and hopefully a world title challenge in the future but he will leave that decision to Shaw.
"It’s whenever Gary feels I’m ready for a shot at a title, its been great working with him and trust him in leading me to where I want to go," said Marquez
To be a world champion is where Marquez wants to go and Friday night’s test will show if he is ready to shine.
January 26, 2010
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