Thompson Boxing Promotions proudly congratulates featherweight Efrain Esquivias (17-2-1, 10 KOs) on his ninth round stoppage of Rafael Marquez (41-9, 37 KOs) last Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, CA.
“We are all very proud of Efrain and his excellent win over Marquez,” said Ken Thompson, founder and president of Thompson Boxing Promotions. “Marquez was a gentleman in defeat and he showed us all that his Hall of Fame career is more than deserving of all the possible accolades, but on Saturday, Esquivias was stellar and he executed his game plan to perfection; he paved the road to a bright future.”
“I said before the fight that a win against Marquez would mean the world to me,” Esquivias said. “I have so much respect for him and his legacy. I can’t celebrate this win too much because the next step from here is to become a world champion. That has been my dream since day one and with the help of Thompson Boxing, I’m sure I’ll get my shot soon.”
Throughout the fight, Esquivias looked like the better fighter, often landing short, powerful rights that stunned the more experienced Marquez. Esquivias was able to absorb Marquez’s power punches, and on a number of occasions, countered nicely with solid combinations to the head and body.
Esquivias stepped up the pace in the third round and never let up from there. In the fifth round, Esquivias unloaded a barrage of punches that took Marquez off guard. Marquez was unable to handle the consistent pressure, often looking tired and worn in later rounds.
“I grind out wins and that’s what happened against Marquez,” Esquivias said. “I could feel his punches getting weaker as the fight wore on and I capitalized on that in the ninth round. I was landing straight rights all night long so when I connected in the ninth, I knew I hurt him enough to get a knockout win.”
