While many are busy putting away Christmas lights and decorations, Dexter ‘De Kid’ Marques has his hard hat on in the gym preparing for two of his most important fights of his professional boxing career.
For Marques, his New Year’s resolution is simply to be undefeated in 2018 as he marches on the road to a potential World Title shot next year.
The first box to tick off on his to-do-list is to be victorious against his Venezuelan opponent, Dionis ‘El Flaco’ Martinez Arias (6-9-2) on January 20 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Marques (16-2-0) and Arias, 24, will headline the five-fight ‘Bad Blood’ card which kicks off the year of professional pugilism in the 592.
Following that match up, the National Flyweight Champion heads to the United Kingdom for what is being regarded as his toughest test to date.
Marques was appointed as the mandatory challenger for the Commonwealth Flyweight Title against current champion, the undefeated Jay Harris (12-0) of Wales, UK, and that bout will be held on March 31, 2018 at the Copperbox Arena.
In order for ‘De Kid’ to capture a world title, he must cross the two immediate hurdles in front of him.
Marques is taking them all in stride.
“I’m focused on one fight at a time and I am not looking past Arias” Marques said on Monday. I know my time is coming, I am just training and taking everything one step at a time.” Marques stated however that on January 20, he is looking forward to putting on a show as he looks to shake off some ring rust acquired since last April ahead of his March match up.
“The fans know what I bring to the ring each and every time I step in there, I am not one to do much talking, I will do my talking in the ring” Marques boasted.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the bill, Shawn Corbin boxes highly ranked Trinidadian, Sheldon Lawrence for the WBC Fecarbox light heavyweight title in the main supporting bout.
National lightweight champion Dexter ‘The Cobra’ Gonsalves takes on Arias’ countryman, Felipe Barcelo in a 10-round contest and bantamweight standout, Elton ‘The Bully’ Dharry is scheduled to match gloves with Jesus Garcia also of neighbouring Venezuela in an eight-round affair. The night’s action is set to start at 20:00hrs with debutant, James Moore fighting Barbadian, Anderson Emmanuel over four rounds in the heavyweight division.
Tickets cost $1000 for stands, $2000 for ringside and $4000 for VIP.
