Marquez family legacy in boxing continues with 14-1 Giovanni Marquez

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- For the Marquez family, boxing is not just a sport. It's a way of life.

"I was that old school type of guy; that Rocky type of guy," former world champion and Olympic boxer Raul Marquez said.

"The career I'm in is fighting, so you know, everything is understood," Raul's son, Giovanni Marquez, said.

Raul made it to the top of the boxing game.

"Hometown fans really get me going, they really get me pumped up," Raul said.

Raul was trained by his dad, Auturo Marquez, in a gym on the east side of Houston.

"The first national tournament he won was when he was 15 years old. Let's make you very proud. Oh, yeah," Auturo said.

Raul had the championship mindset back then at the age of 19.

"Dedication is the number one thing in this sport, he said in 1991.

Now Raul is working with his 25-year-old son, Giovanni, just as his dad did with him.

"It's a blessing having my father train me," Giovanni said. "He's a former Olympian, world champion, boxing broadcaster, so he knows the ins and outs of the game."

Giovanni is no stranger to the spotlight; he's been around boxing and met world champions through his dad.

"This is a very tough sport," Giovanni said. "My grandfather, my father, they've explained that to me from a very young age."

Raul added, "He's been in the boxing game ever since he was little, even with his brothers, you know, would slap him around, he was always tough."

All that toughness helped him win the National Golden Gloves title, where he was also awarded "Most Outstanding Boxer," launching his professional career.

"You know, you see all different kinds of styles, and you know, that just prepares you for the professional ranks," Giovanni said.

As a pro, he's 14-1 with seven knockouts and a style of his own.

"People can expect action, skills, finesse," Giovanni said. "I like to use in and out movement and of courage, my jab, the most important punch."

"His boxing style is totally different from mine," Raul said. "He mixes it up, you know, and picks guys off. Maybe more intelligent than I, because I came forward and I got hit."

Giovanni said the goal is to be a world champion like his dad and bring back big-time fights to his hometown. "It's been a while since we packed out the Toyota Center for a big fight, and that's what I want to do," Giovanni said. "Houston boxing is starving for the next boxing superstar," Raul said, "And I'm not saying that because he's my son, but I think he is the next boxing superstar."

His next fight will be on Saturday night, May 9, at 2501 Commerce, where he'll be in the main event representing a winning and proud boxing legacy.