Inducted on November 12, 2009
I, Marvin Walker, was born on September 5, 1960 in Canovanas, Puerto Rico. My parents are Juan Domingo Walker and Silvana Maldonado. I’m one of 12 children. My family and I moved to the United States when I was eight years old, in 1969. We settled in Vineland, New Jersey where I still reside. At the age of 14, I started training in the boxing field. I chose this path because I loved to fight and I know that I could make money doing what I already loved to do. In 1975, at the age of 14, I started fighting as an amateur boxer.
At the age of 18, after four years as an amateur boxer my trainer Carmen Graciano decided that it was time that I go pro. So in 1979 my dreams came true. I was going to be able to make money and experience many things that I never thought would have been possible for me. That is when I decided to change my name to Mario Maldonado, so that people may know that my heritage is Hispanic. Over my pro career I had a total of 42 fights. My professional record ended at 28-13-1 with 14 wins coming by KO.
I am now retired from boxing. Now I dedicate my spare time in teaching others the boxing trade.
Today I can be extremely proud to have the opportunity to be inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. This is a great honor for me, and something that I would have never imagined would happen to me when I started boxing. I will always be grateful for this achievement and thankful for this experience.
Boxing Record: Mario Maldonado