Vazquez vs Marquez, Chapter IV

By Juan Barajas: How do you top one of the best trilogies of boxing between two of the best fighters in their weight division? Simple, by adding another chapter.

On May 22nd, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, Showtime Boxing will air two of the best at 126 pounds facing off for a fourth and possible final time.

Raphael Marquez and Israel Vazquez have set the date, place and time to do it all over again. Their first three matches are as memorable as those of Barrera vs. Morales, and Carbajal vs. Gonzalez, but this fight will take them one step further than their predecessors.

This story began in the super bantamweight division of 122 pounds in March of 2007 when Marquez stopped Vazquez in seven rounds for the WBC Super Bantamweight Title. Vazquez avenged that loss in August of that same year to reclaim his title by scoring a sixth round technical knockout and again winning the rubber match by decision in March of 2008. Although Vazquez can claim bragging rights by winning two of the three battles, he suffered the most from the trilogy with a detached right retina that required multiple surgeries to correct.

This particular fight is scheduled for 12 rounds and will take place at the featherweight limit of 126 pounds with no title at stake. Marquez, 34 years old, 38-5 with 34 knockouts weighed 126 pounds in his last fight in May of 2009. A fight he won via third-round technical knockout over Jose Francisco Mendoza. Vazquez, 32 years old, 44-4 with 32 knockouts weighed 125 ½ pounds in his last fight which took place in October 2009. He won by technical knockout in the ninth round over Angel Antonio Priolo.

Marquez, a former bantamweight and super bantamweight world champion has predicted this fourth fight with Vazquez to be the mother of all wars. However, this time around Raphael will be missing one key component from his corner, his former manager and trainer Ignacio "Nacho" Beristain.

In early January of this year, Raphael changed trainers from Beristain to former super bantamweight world champion and hall of famer Daniel Zaragosa. Raphael’s reasons were that Beristain was not paying attention to him in the gym and spending all of his time with his older brother; WBA Lightweight Champion, Juan Manuel. Beristain has guided both brothers throughout their careers and can be viewed just as responsible for their achievements as the brothers themselves. Zaragosas’ resume as a current assistant trainer and former fighter under Beristain should make the transition easier for Raphael and at this stage of his career, he should have no problem adjusting as the fight continues.

Vasquez, a two time super bantamweight champion, will not have such distractions to worry about come May 22nd. He actually may be considered the home town favorite, considering that he lives 40 miles south of the Staples Center in Huntington Beach, CA while Marquez resides in Mexico.

As for how they match up, Vazquez at 5’4” ½ gives up ½ an inch in height and 2 inches in reach to Marquez. Both are orthodox fighters with the majority of their wins coming by way of knockout. Combined, they’ve lost only 9 bouts out of 91 total, 90% of which were by knockout, so there’s no doubt that they fight until the very end.

When all is said and done, the venue, the height, the reach or the change of trainer won’t make a difference of this fight from the previous three. It will come down to stamina and determination as before and betting on either fighter to lose is not worth betting on at all.

February 16, 2010