Archie Ray Marquez.

Friday Night’s ShoBox was a joy to watch as Tim Coleman and Archie Ray Marquez both cemented their places among the rising stars of the sport with third-round knockouts against solid if unimaginative opposition.

The rising lightweight from New Mexico impressed in the undercard against Denver’s Juan Santiago, whose willingness to exchange couldn’t compensate for his lack of technique and dreadful defense against the much savvier Marquez. Despite his superior quickness Marquez refused to back down from Santiago’s constant advance, happy to trade in the middle of the ring with the larger man.

Marquez appeared to be getting the better of the exchange but the fight looked like a lengthy affair until midway in the second round, when the referee deducted a point from him for a questionable low blow. The stung Marquez unleashed a flurry that sent Santiago stumbling into the ropes, then floored him with a right just before the bell rang.

Santiago answered the bell for the third but Archie Ray wasted no time, bum-rushing his opponent and unleashing his hands repeatedly until the referee stepped in end the onslaught. Slick, strong and smart, Marquez looks like one worth watching in an aging lightweight division.