Vasquez vs. Marquez rivalry which will enter into it’s final chapter on March 1st, at the home depot center has been if not the definitive ring rivalry of this decade it has surely been an instant classic from round one. Their previous fights has had as much action as a year of pay-per-view events and the final installment next month at the Home Depot Center is a likely candidate for fight of the year as was their last match. Rafael Marquez (36 W4 L0 D32 KOs) vs.Israel Vazquez( 42 W4 L0 D31 KOs) III will be a fitting closure to a great trilogy.
The first fight did not disappoint for those in the crowd who braved auminous and suspicious March sky's to make it to the Home Depot center.
Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez proved to be solid fight of the year candidate. The two Superbantamwieght warriors went to war from the opening bell trading hooks and power shots. In the third Marquez was dropped with a crisp left hook. Vasquez was looking like he was well on his way to a successful third defense of his title but it soon became apparent his nose was broken and he was forced to quit on his stool after only the 7th round of an amazing fight. While fans were undoubtedly hungry for more it was a good stoppage Vasquez's nose to this ringside observer looked like a knotted baseball.
The gutsy performance brought out the competitive in both men in the press conference and the two men expressed nothing but respect for the other. Perhaps well aware of the politics that prevented his brother Juan Manuel Marquez from getting a rematch with Pacquiao(which is finally scheduled for later this year after much delay), Rafael Marquez was aggressive in seeking out Vasquez rematch and both fighters were adamant from the first post-fight press conference their would be a rematch one truly a testament to the character of these two Mexican warriors..
August 4, 2007 in Dodge Arena Hidalgo Texas Marquez and Vasquez met for a second time. Vasquez from the opening bell fought as if he was finally answering the bell for the 7th round of the first fight. It was instant warfare with Vasquez again as in the first fight had Marquez in trouble in round three but Marquez gamely turned the corner and fought back earning the Ring Magazine Round of the Year awards.
The perhaps the 6th and final round was what made this rematch the fight of the year. Vasquez whose eyes looked liked crushed raspberries as the blood flowed freely fought on gallantly before finally getting the referee to intervene after brutally knocking Marquez all over the canvas.
While in the build up to this fight Marquez's handlers have repeatedly insisted that in this fight the faster Marquez will box more. More than likely Marquez's instinct will kick in and the fight will turn into the brawl all fans want to see. Unfortunately for Marquez as in the previous fight it is likely that Vasquez's superior punching power will carry the day. Either way by returning to the Home Depot Center for this fight the two fighters will bring closure to one of the most exciting boxing trilogies of recent years.
