He fought his first forty bouts in Honolulu, before travelling to Glasgow, in Scotland in July 1947, for a title fight against Jackie Paterson, the World flyweight champion.

The result was that Paterson was stripped of his World title, and a non-title fight was arranged between Marino and Rinty Monaghan of Northern Ireland.

A month later Marino fought Peter Kane, the previous holder of the World flyweight title, before Paterson.

In October 1947, Marino and Rinty Monaghan met at Harringay Arena, London for the vacant World flyweight title, previously held by Jackie Paterson.

In March 1949, the legendary World bantamweight champion, American Manuel Ortiz, came to Honolulu to defend his title against Marino.