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Chip On My Shoulder! Local boxer, “Marvelous” Marquis Taylor, making his mark in boxing world

ABOVE: “Marvelous” Marquis Taylor (Photo by Medron White) On July 8th, a rising African American boxer from Houston, TX, made his way to the boxing ring at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Theater in Atlantic City, NJ, for arguably the biggest fight of his career—debuting at the 160-pound limit. That local fighter’s name is “Marvelous” Marquis […]
The post Chip On My Shoulder! Local boxer, “Marvelous” Marquis Taylor, making his mark in boxing world first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

9 months ago

August 10, 2023

Forward Times Staff

ABOVE: “Marvelous” Marquis Taylor (Photo by Medron White)

On July 8^th, a rising African American boxer from Houston, TX, made his way to the boxing ring at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Theater in Atlantic City, NJ, for arguably the biggest fight of his career—debuting at the 160-pound limit.

That local fighter’s name is “Marvelous” Marquis Taylor, and he had something to prove.

“Marvelous” Marquis Taylor (Photo by Medron White)

Not only did Taylor head to the ring representing his beloved high school alma mater by wearing crimson and gold trunks, but the 2012 Jack Yates High School graduate also walked to the ring with his entourage playing the iconic hit Houston anthem “Maan!” paying homage to legendary Houston rap legend and fellow Jack Yates alum Big Pokey, who passed away the month prior.

Taylor, an impressive 29-year-old burgeoning fighter, entered the fight with a 14-1-2 record with 1 KO. Coming into the fight, he had also successfully defeated four straight fighters, who had never lost a fight prior to facing him.

Taylor’s recent fight—which took place on “Showtime Championship Boxing” as a co-main event boxing match—was against a 25-year-old, previously undefeated and hard-hitting Cuban boxer named Yoelvis “La Joya” Gomez. Gomez had a 6-0 record entering the fight, with 5 KOs.

On top of that, many boxing pundits predicted Taylor to lose the fight, with Gomez being a 4 to 1 favorite to defeat him in their scheduled 10-round middleweight match.

Taylor refused to let that deter him, as he came to the ring focused on winning, proving his non-believers wrong, making a major statement, and walking out victorious once again.

Taylor got going early and put Gomez on the canvas in the second round. Taylor stayed aggressive and refused to allow Gomez to bully him or control the fight. After going the full distance in the 10-round middleweight bout, Taylor secured a unanimous decision over the favored Gomez—winning all three of the judges’ scorecards: 96-93, 99-90, and 96-93.

After the unanimous victory, the Forward Times caught up with Taylor at the Prince Boxing Gym, where he trains, to learn more about him and talk about what’s next in his boxing career.

Forward Times Associate Editor Jeffrey L. Boney with “Marvelous” Marquis Taylor, and his father, Stacy Taylor (Photo by Medron White)

Taylor states that he started boxing when he was seven years old and was influenced to pursue the sport of boxing because of his father, Stacy, and his older brother, Zacary.

“My dad introduced me to boxing because my older brother had gotten into it,” says Taylor. “I wanted to follow in my brother’s footsteps and do what he did, so I started boxing at 7, when my brother was about 10. I haven’t looked back since.”

Taylor’s father, Stacy, has been in his corner (no pun intended) every step of the way, and takes pride in his son’s boxing career, as well as him being able to represent Houston at the highest level possible, especially Jack Yates High School.

“Not only am I a 1987 graduate of Jack Yates, but my mother is a 1961 JY graduate, and my grandmother was part of the first graduating classes of JY,” said Stacy, who used to box himself. “Marquis’ mother is also a 1987 graduate of Jack Yates, and her father is a 1961 graduate of Jack Yates. Marquis is a fourth-generation JY graduate, so crimson and gold is in his blood.”

Stacy states that he introduced his sons to all sorts of sports, such as basketball, baseball, and football, but they both had a knack for boxing and that is what they stuck with.

“I wanted them to play tennis, but it was too expensive for us at the time, so we gravitated to boxing,” said Stacy. “We started off in Third Ward at P.A.B.A. with Reverend Ray Martin, and that is where they cultivated their skills and helped them thrive in the sport as amateur boxers.”

“Marvelous” Marquis Taylor hitting the punching bag at Prince Boxing Gym in Houston (Photo by Medron White)

Taylor said that he looked up to boxers such as Roy Jones Jr., Mike Tyson, Bernard Hopkins, and Andre Ward, and took a little bit of their styles to help perfect his game. He states that at around nine years old, he realized he could really go higher and successfully compete in the sport.

“When I was nine, Juan Diaz was the only world champion from Houston at the time, and when I saw him pull up in an Escalade truck with 24-inch rims on it, that is when I first found out that you could actually make money doing this and be successful,” Taylor said as he chuckled. “Ever since that day, I knew I was going to turn pro as a boxer.”

Taylor said that one of the biggest challenges that he faced on his journey was not coming out of the amateurs with a big promotional deal.

“It has taken a lot of patience, a lot of training, and staying in tip-top shape, without an identified destination” says Taylor. “You just have to be ready when your name is called, which is the most difficult thing, because you don’t know when, or if, you will get that call.”

Taylor states that when he was in the amateurs, he did not attend a lot of national tournaments and could not travel because he had other responsibilities, such as being in the band and trying to graduate from high school.

“I was never on the national scene, so a lot of people didn’t know about me,” says Taylor. “I turned pro without a deal and thought I would get one after turning pro, but I didn’t get one. I started taking whatever fights were available, but it worked against me because I was winning, and many promoters and matchmakers didn’t want me to fight their guys because there was a strong chance that I would beat them. Now, we just stay ready for any opportunity with anyone in the top 5, who is up for the challenge to fight me at either 154 or 160.”

“Marvelous” Marquis Taylor shadowboxing at Prince Boxing Gym

Taylor says that he would like to fight Tim Tszyu at the 154-pound limit, but he believes that division is locked up right now. Taylor states that because undisputed super-welterweight (154lbs) champion Jermell Charlo is about to fight undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez on September 30^th in Las Vegas, NV, and because Charlo and undisputed welterweight (147lbs) champion Terrance Crawford have both expressed interest in fighting one another after the Alvarez fight, he must focus on doing big things at the 160-pound limit.

Taylor states that he came up to the 160-pound limit to fight Gomez, and because he is ranked there now, he will stay there and look for other fights in that division.

“We are about to take over 160, because we feel as though nobody can beat me at 160, or 154,” says Taylor. “A lot of guys moved out of 160, so it’s kind of empty right now, but there’s a guy named Carlos Adames who I’ll fight. I’m prepared to fight anybody to be honest with you. I’m just looking to fight the type of guys on the biggest cards, on Showtime Championship Boxing.”

One of the challenges in boxing is that it can get very political and cut-throat, and getting a shot at a world championship belt can be hard to come by. Taylor refuses to let that deter him. He says that a lot of the fighters that are top contenders now, fighting for belts, and getting bigger opportunities started off at the same time as he did or after. He has a huge chip on his shoulder.

“I have a huge chip on my shoulder, because I feel like I should have been one of the ones that was signed to a big promotional deal when I became pro, and I wasn’t chosen,” says Taylor. “Now I want the heads of the ones who were chosen, and who do have big promotional deals. It’s really ‘Me vs. Me’, so I don’t really care who they put in front of me. I hope to get on the Charlo vs. Canelo card or David Benavidez’ next card. I just want to keep fighting on the biggest cards in boxing. They need to see me. I am ready!”

The post Chip On My Shoulder! Local boxer, “Marvelous” Marquis Taylor, making his mark in boxing world appeared first on Forward Times.

The post Chip On My Shoulder! Local boxer, “Marvelous” Marquis Taylor, making his mark in boxing world first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Born on September 4, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, activist Ramona Edelin’s early years were marked by a commitment to education and social justice. According to her HistoryMakers biography, after graduating from Fisk University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1967, she pursued further studies at the University of East Anglia in England. She earned her master’s degree before completing her Ph.D. at Boston University in 1981.
The post IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

4 weeks ago

April 3, 2024

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Once upon a time, Black Americans were simply known as colored people, or Negroes. That is until Ramona Edelin came along. The activist, renowned for her pivotal roles in advancing civil rights, education reform, and community empowerment, died at her D.C. residence last month at the age of 78. Her death, finally confirmed this week by Barnaby Towns, a communications strategist who collaborated with Dr. Edelin, was attributed to cancer.

Born on September 4, 1945, in Los Angeles, California, Edelin’s early years were marked by a commitment to education and social justice. According to her HistoryMakers biography, after graduating from Fisk University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1967, she pursued further studies at the University of East Anglia in England. She earned her master’s degree before completing her Ph.D. at Boston University in 1981.

Edelin’s contributions to academia and activism were manifold. She was pivotal in popularizing the term “African American” alongside Rev. Jesse L. Jackson in the late 1980s.

Jackson had announced the preference for “African American,” speaking for summit organizers that included Dr. Edelin. “Just as we were called Colored, but were not that, and then Negro, but not that, to be called Black is just as baseless,” he said, adding that “African American” “has cultural integrity” and “puts us in our proper historical context.”

Later, Edelin told Ebony magazine, “Calling ourselves African Americans is the first step in the cultural offensive,” while linking the name change to a “cultural renaissance” in which Black Americans reconnected with their history and heritage.

“Who are we if we don’t acknowledge our motherland?” she asked later. “When a child in a ghetto calls himself African American, immediately he’s international. You’ve taken him from the ghetto and put him on the globe.”

The HistoryMakers bio noted that Edelin’s academic pursuits led her to found and chair the Department of African American Studies at Northeastern University, where she established herself as a leading voice.

Transitioning from academia to advocacy, Edelin joined the National Urban Coalition in 1977, eventually ascending to president and CEO. During her tenure, she spearheaded initiatives such as the “Say Yes to a Youngster’s Future” program, which provided crucial support in math, science, and technology to youth and teachers of color in urban areas. Her biography noted that Edelin’s efforts extended nationwide through partnerships with organizations like the National Science Foundation and the United States Department of Education.

President Bill Clinton recognized Edelin’s expertise by appointing her to the Presidential Board on Historically Black Colleges and Universities in 1998. She also co-founded and served as treasurer of the Black Leadership Forum, solidifying her standing as a respected leader in African American communities.

Beyond her professional achievements, Edelin dedicated herself to numerous boards and committees, including chairing the District of Columbia Educational Goals 2000 Panel and contributing to the Federal Advisory Committee for the Black Community Crusade for Children.

Throughout her life, Edelin received widespread recognition for her contributions. Ebony magazine honored her as one of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans, and she received prestigious awards such as the Southern Christian Leadership Award for Progressive Leadership and the IBM Community Executive Program Award.

The post IN MEMORIAM: Ramona Edelin, Influential Activist and Education Advocate, Dies at 78 first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Recent legislative actions in Tennessee, such as repealing police reform measures enacted after the killing of Tyre Nichols, underscore a troubling trend of undermining local control and perpetuating racist agendas. The new law preventing local governments from restricting police officers’ authority disregards community efforts to address systemic issues of police violence and racial profiling.
The post Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

Published

4 weeks ago

April 3, 2024

Stacy M. Brown

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
@StacyBrownMedia

Tennessee State University (TSU), the state’s only public historically Black college and university (HBCU), faces a tumultuous future as Gov. Bill Lee dissolved its board, a move supported by racist conservatives and MAGA Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly, who follow the lead of the twice-impeached, four-times indicted, alleged sexual predator former President Donald Trump. Educators and others have denounced the move as an attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and a grave setback for higher education.

Critics argue that TSU’s purported financial mismanagement is a manufactured crisis rooted in decades of underinvestment by the state government. They’ve noted that it continues a trend by conservatives and the racist MAGA movement to eliminate opportunities for Blacks in education, corporate America, and the public sector.

Gevin Reynolds, a former speechwriter for Vice President Kamala Harris, emphasizes in an op-ed that TSU’s financial difficulties are not the result of university leadership because a recent audit found no evidence of fraud or malfeasance.

Reynolds noted that the disbanding of TSU’s board is not an isolated incident but part of a broader assault on DE&I initiatives nationwide. Ten states, including Tennessee, have enacted laws banning DE&I policies on college campuses, while governors appointing MAGA loyalists to university trustee positions further undermine efforts to promote inclusivity and equality.

Moreover, recent legislative actions in Tennessee, such as repealing police reform measures enacted after the killing of Tyre Nichols, underscore a troubling trend of undermining local control and perpetuating racist agendas. The new law preventing local governments from restricting police officers’ authority disregards community efforts to address systemic issues of police violence and racial profiling.

The actions echo historical efforts to suppress Black progress, reminiscent of the violent backlash against gains made during the Reconstruction era. President Joe Biden warned during an appearance in New York last month that Trump desires to bring the nation back to the 18th and 19th centuries – in other words, to see, among other things, African Americans back in the chains of slavery, women subservient to men without any say over their bodies, and all voting rights restricted to white men.

The parallels are stark, with white supremacist ideologies used to justify attacks on Black institutions and disenfranchise marginalized communities, Reynolds argued.

In response to these challenges, advocates stress the urgency of collective action to defend democracy and combat systemic racism. Understanding that attacks on institutions like TSU are symptomatic of broader threats to democratic norms, they call for increased civic engagement and voting at all levels of government.

The actions of people dedicated to upholding the principles of inclusivity, equity, and justice for all will determine the outcome of the ongoing fight for democracy, Reynolds noted. “We are in a war for our democracy, one whose outcome will be determined by every line on every ballot at every precinct,” he stated.

The post Tennessee State University Board Disbanded by MAGA Loyalists as Assault on DE&I Continues first appeared on BlackPressUSA.

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Braxton Haulcy and the Expansion of Walker|West Music Academy

May 24, 2023 – Walker West Music Academy gets an early start on expansion. Join us for a Wednesday episode of The …
The post Braxton Haulcy and the Expansion of Walker|West Music Academy first appeared on BlackPressUSA.