Get ready for Vazquez - Marquez IV

[woola4]

Israel Vazquez - Rafael Marquez IV

 

LOS ANGELES - Following three epic battles, three-time World Champion Israel Vazquez and two-division World Champion Rafael Marquez will face off in the fourth installment of what is perhaps the greatest boxing trilogy of all-time on Saturday, May 22, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles.

 

"Without a doubt, this is going to be a war just like the previous fights were," said Vazquez. "I'm really motivated to come back for this battle with Marquez and I know this fourth fight is going to be very significant to my career. I hope all the fans are as excited as I am for this fight and as excited as they were for the previous three, as the fourth will no different than the others."

 

Marquez commented, "Israel Vazquez and I are destined to be intertwined together because of the legendary battles we have waged against each other, but I intend to close the book on our rivalry by dictating the final chapter -- and the fight -- on May 22 at STAPLES Center. I have never wanted to win a fight so much in my life. I'm training to win. I'm fighting for my legacy."

 

Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions and Vazquez's Co-Promoter said, "May 22 is more than a fight, it is for pride, honor and respect of the boxing world and we are excited to be able to deliver the fourth fight following one of the best trilogies in boxing history. This type of fight reminds us of the great events from the 70's at the Olympic Auditorium and the Forum, featuring two great Mexican warriors who leave it all in the ring. In addition, we are going to have one of our top young contenders in Abner Mares competing for a world title on the same night. This is a classic night of boxing that you will not want to miss and that you will never forget."

 

Gary Shaw, President of Gary Shaw Productions and Marquez's Promoter, "There has been no greater privilege for me than to have promoted Corrales-Castillo I and the Vazquez-Marquez series. At the end of the day, boxing and boxing fans are the winners. Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez are two of the greatest warriors ever. They are the stuff Hollywood movies are made from."

 

Frankie Espinoza of Espinoza Boxing Promotions added, "Vazquez and Marquez are the two most exciting and courageous fighters in the sport. Along with the championship battle between Abner Mares and Yonnhy Perez, May 22 is going to be a special night for fight fans. We at Espinoza Boxing Promotions feel honored to be part of such an amazing event."

 

Fernando Beltran, President, Zanfer Promotions, "I am very excited to be back working with Rafael Marquez. He won his first world title with our company Zanfer. For this fight, we are with Gary Shaw and looking forward to a fourth and final match to put to rest who is the real champion."

 

Ken Hershman, Executive Vice President and General Manager, SHOWTIME Sports said, "Vazquez-Marquez IV is a fight we couldn't say no to. The rivalry between these two warriors is rooted in the deep respect they have for one another. We knew from the first time they faced off against each other that their fights would deliver the highest quality boxing and fans should expect nothing less May 22. We are honored to have them back on SHOWTIME. Fighters like Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez represent the best boxing has to offer: amazing competitors putting it all on the line in the name of sport."

 

Lee Zeidman, STAPLES Center General Manager commented, "STAPLES Center is incredibly excited to host the fourth bout between these two decorated fighters in Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez. Southern California boxing fans are in for night that they won't soon forget and we are excited about hosting this fight here in downtown Los Angeles on May 22."

 

The Vazquez-Marquez trilogy is perhaps the most complete and closely contested all-action series of fights in boxing history. "El Magnifico" Vazquez (44-4, 33 KO's) of Huntington Park, Calif., by way of Mexico City, leads Mexico City's Marquez (38-5, 34 KO's) in the epic series, 2-1, winning the last two.

 

In their first meeting on March 3, 2007, Marquez broke Vazquez's nose in the first round, but the fight carried on and the two continued to exchange accurate and powerful shots. Vazquez could barely breathe through his broken nose and after seven hard fought and electrifying rounds, Vazquez asked trainer Freddie Roach to stop the fight, losing his WBC Super Bantamweight World Title in the process.

 

In their second fight on Aug. 4, 2007, Vazquez stopped Marquez in a rematch to regain the WBC Super Bantamweight World Title at 1:16 of the sixth round in an old-style, classic, bloody slugfest. The bout was touted as Fight of the Year and contained Round of the Year as awarded by boxing's leading experts.

 

The two Mexican fighters squared off for the third time on March 1, 2008 in an epic 12-round, all-action battle that might have been the most compelling of them all. Vazquez eked out a thrilling, split-decision victory by just one point, scoring a fight-winning knockdown in the waning seconds of the twelfth round, successfully defending the WBC and Ring Magazine Super Bantamweight World Titles in an instant classic.

 

Vazquez and Marquez each took more than a year long sabbatical from boxing to recover from injuries and regroup after the thrilling trilogy.

 

Marquez returned to the ring on May 23, 2009, getting back to his winning ways with a third round KO victory over Jose Francisco Mendoza in his first fight at 126 pounds. Vazquez returned on Oct. 10, 2009, also at featherweight, against Angel Antonio Priolo registering a ninth-round TKO.

 

Boxing fans craved a fourth fight between the two fearless warriors and while they have both moved up in weight (this bout to be contested at featherweight, 126-pounds) and have tried to continue with their storied careers, destiny pulled them back together one more time.

 

http://www.boxingscene.com

[grapevine241]

should be good. im going with marquez

[Wheelchair]

Although great to watch, these type of fights do shorten careers. I wonder if this one will be more of a cagey affair?

[LondonRingRules]

Although great to watch, these type of fights do shorten careers. I wonder if this one will be more of a cagey affair?

 

------ Marquez was cagey. Vazquez is the slugger/brawler because he could never outbox Marquez no matter how many tries.

 

I'm guessing Vasquez is still strong as a bull, but shot as a fighter and Marquez is still unproven in his new division and not long in the business. He should have enough to even the score.

[Obama]

I just hope there's no 5th fight after Marquez soundly defeats a shot Vazquez. As far as I'm concerned Marquez won the 3rd fight. I'd like to see Marquez go on to do bigger and better things after this. A fight with Lopez or John (trying to avenge his brother's "loss") would be the way I'd go.

[jango]

now tihs is whot you call rivalery proprer will the 4 be as good as the utheres fight i hope so bloody good fights & bloody good fighters.peace

[iamasadlittleboy]

...have we had any other "quads" in recent years between elite fighters? We can all think of trilogies but quads...i can't think of any...(other than Naiito v Wonjongkam)

[woola4]

Although great to watch, these type of fights do shorten careers. I wonder if this one will be more of a cagey affair?

 

Hope it's a cracker like the ones before :-)