CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. — Pvt. Marquis Moore, of Marlow Heights, Md., and soldier with the 978th Quartermaster Company, recently won the 165-pound division of the 2012 Armed Forces Boxing Championships, at Camp Pendleton, Calif., Feb. 8-10.
Moore defeated Marines Lance Cpl. Felix Magallanez after the referee stopped their contest at 2 minutes, 27 seconds of the second round.
"Moore was very impressive," said U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program and Olympic coach Basheer Abdullah. "He impressed me the most tonight. He was explosive. He demonstrated good defense. He was slipping and countering right off the defense. He was very exciting to watch. I think he has what it takes to compete at the elite level."
"He's a beast," All-Army coach Charles Leverette added. "He's going to throw a wrench in a lot of gears at the National Championships because he has been out of it for awhile and nobody expects him to be around. This is just the beginning for him. We're hoping to get him to Nationals and qualified for WCAP."
A confident Moore said, “I thought that I was going to win,” adding, “I maintain my training routine by practicing 6 days a week, staying focused and disciplined.”
Moore has only been in the Army Reserve for 8 months, but is on his way to achieving one of his Army goals. “My future goals are to become well recognized for my talent in boxing and respected for the hard work, dedication and rank I earn in the Army. I also want to complete and earn a degree in business administration and manage my own business or company some day,” said Moore.
Moore has competed successfully in amateur boxing for several years including victories at the 2007 Junior Olympics, 2007 Silver Gloves, the 2008 DC Dominican Tournament and competed on the USA team against Russia.
Moore noted several similarities and differences between the Army and his boxing. “Boxing and the military are similar because they are both combat orientated and you must use offensive and defensive strategies to become victorious. Also, they are both strict and very disciplined occupations,” Moore added. “The difference between boxing and the military is that boxing is a one-man sport in which you represent your country the military however is a brotherhood that physically protects the people of our nation,” he said.
For more information please contact Capt. Emma Phillips, 978th Quartermaster Company Commander, at (804) 675-7304.