Marvin Quintero Wants to Graduate Twice in One Weekend
Mexican lightweight slugger Marvin Quintero, 21-3, 17 KO’s, will be hoping to continue rebuilding his once-soaring career when he appears on ESPN2 “Friday Night Fights” tomorrow night from the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California.
Quintero had been riding high after scoring victories over Nick Casal and Wes Ferguson before running into a surprisingly determined (and over the weight) Tyrone Harris in July 2009. Another loss to heavy-handed African Daniel Attah further stalled the 24-year-old’s momentum.
But now he is back with a new focus on improved defense and added focus in training and looking to make good on all the promise he has shown.
Quintero was originally scheduled to face Korean slugger Ji Hoon Kim, but then Kim was diagnosed with a detached retina. A fight with Armenian stylist Gabriel Tolmajyan also fell through. He is now paired up against Denver, Colorado, veteran Juan “Chago” Santiago (13-6-1, 8 KOs).
Quintero has added reason to celebrate today. He will leave the weigh-in in Temecula and head directly to his college graduation where he will receive his engineering degree.
Will the opponent switches affect you?
The opponent won t affect me because I’ve been training so hard it really doesn’t matter who I fight tomorrow night.
What do you know about Juan Santiago?
I don’t know much about him other than he’s been in a lot of tough fights and he’s a tough opponent who tries to put on a lot of pressure. He has beaten a few undefeated fighters, so this is by no means an easy fight.
You are graduating from college today, correct?
That’s correct. I’m getting my engineering Degree. When I get out of boxing, I intend to become an engineer. It’s a dream of mine and my family because no one in my family has ever been to college before.
It has been written in the past that your defense is not as good as your offense. Are you working on that?
The knockout by Attah was a wakeup call for me. Now I’m aware of needing defense but also more aware of being focused and aggressive. I am almost thankful for the lessons I learned in that fight because I will be a much more intense Marvin Quintero from now on.
What happened against Attah?
My defense was poor. He caught me with a great shot and I wasn’t able to withstand it. I got caught behind the ear and it stunned me. It was the kind of punch that would knock anyone out.
You’ve shown so much promise in the past. Are you ready to graduate into the ranks of contendership now?
I’m ready. All I need is an opportunity. I won’t let myself or my fans down again.