Welterweight prospect Giovanni Marquez broke Luis Portalatin down, dropping him three times en route to a knockout win Saturday night at the Lone Star Convention and Expo Center in Conroe, Texas.

Marquez, who resides in nearby Houston, improves to 4-0, 3 knockouts.

Portalatin was game and came to fight from the opening bell, staying and trading in the pocket. Marquez’s more-effective and accurate punches began to work in his favor as he dropped Portalatin twice during the second round. Portalatin was able to beat the count each time and fought back.

With less than 20 seconds left in the third round, both exchanged combinations against the ropes. Marquez followed up by throwing a barrage of punches at Portalatin, but it was a well-timed right cross to Portaltin’s chin that dropped him face-first to the canvas. The fight was immediately waved off at 2:47.

The win over Portalatin comes over three months after Marquez stopped William Davis in the second round. 

The 21-year-old amateur standout made his pro debut under much fanfare on March 11. His four-round fight against Nelson Morales, which he won by unanimous decision, opened a ShoBox telecast. 

Giovanni’s father and trainer, former world junior middleweight titleholder Raul Marquez, is satisfied with his son’s performance. Raul Marquez currently provides color commentary for Showtime Boxing platforms. 

“(Portalatin) went the distance against two unbeaten fighters, Otar Eranosyan, who was on ShoBox, and Narciso Carmona,” Raul Marquez told BoxingScene Sunday morning. “He dropped both of them in the first round, but lost by decision. 

“I’m very content because nobody had finished (Portalatin) in the way Giovanni did. (Giovanni) is learning (and) getting better.”

Portalatin, who resides in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, falls to 3-5, 1 KO. 

The Marquez-Portalatin fight was the co-main event of an El Tigre Promotions card. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing.