Turlock’s Marqués Tovar is continuing to add to his trophy case after putting on stellar boxing performances throughout the first half of 2022. The 13-year-old Dutcher Middle School student has already taken home three prestigious championship belts this year with no plans of slowing down.
Earlier this year, Tovar won the 2022 Silver Gloves title for the 80-pound weight division in Independence, Missouri. Since then, he has begun competing at 85 pounds, a weight class he has immediately begun to dominate in.
In early June, he took home the International Belt in Las Vegas for the 85-pounders, winning his title fight by unanimous decision. Tovar explained that the dominant win in Vegas was a huge step forward in his development.
“It was really uplifting for me and lifted my confidence level,” he said.
Tovar also explained how the win prepared for him another major tournament just three weeks later, the WBC Green Belt Challenge. Similar to his experiences in Las Vegas, Tovar cruised to a unanimous decision in the final match to bring home the 85-pound belt.
“I was really happy because out of 300 kids there, they only gave out six belts and I was one of them,” he said.
With three championship belts already collected in 2022, Tovar is keeping his foot on the gas pedal as he prepares for the Junior Olympics at Koch Arena in Wichita, Kansas on July 9. Tovar has had previous success at this particular tournament as he was the 75-pound champion in 2021.
With fast turnarounds after each tournament, Tovar explained how he has been able to balance celebrating his accomplishments while staying focused on future bouts.
“I take it one fight at a time and I just keep training hard,” he said. I train at Marquitos Boxing in Winton and Fresno and they really push me.”
Tovar also credits his faith for all of his recent success.
“I wouldn’t have done this without my Lord, Jesus Christ.”
In Wichita, Tovar is once again expected to compete at 85 pounds. He believes that his multiple unanimous victories in the weight division in June will have him ready for the week-long tournament.
