Press Release: Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez I and II produced the most exciting, bloody, give-and-take slugfests of 2007 and inevitably has led to one of the most highly anticipated rubber matches in history. Now they battle for the world 122-pound championship (and WBC strap) in the third and final chapter of boxing’s best rivalry in recent memory in Vazquez-Marquez III “Final Confrontation,” Saturday, March 1, 2008 from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
Vazquez - Marquez III, which headlines an exciting night of world-class boxing action, is presented by Gary Shaw Promotions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Romanza Boxing Productions. Tickets for this sure-to-be-classic battle are on sale at all Ticketmaster retail ticket locations, as well as www.Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster-Charge-by-Phone, by calling 213-480-3232.
The showdown will be televised live onShowtime Championship Boxing beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
“The first two clashes were both ‘fight of the year’ candidates. If the pattern continues this should be one for the ages” said Gary Shaw. “As a promoter I am proud to present this event, as a fan, March 1 cannot come fast enough.”
“I don’t think there is any question that the third fight will be the best out of all of three,” said Scott Woodworth, vice president Sycuan Ringside Promotions. “You can only expect great things for March 1st. We knew from the first time they faced each other that this would turn into an unforgettable trilogy. The first fight was phenomenal and the second bout was even better.
“Sycuan can’t wait for the third one. Not only are super bantamweight bragging rights on the line, but the winner will also become the next Mexican fan-favorite boxer.”
Vazquez (42-4, 32 KOs) and Marquez (37-4, 33 KOs) waged two epic battles in 2007. In a year in which boxing experienced a resurgence of public support with dozens of exciting brawls, the courage, skills and determination of these two warriors stood out from the rest. Their second fight earned near unanimous honors for Fight of the Year while the third round of the rematch was named Round of the Year by Ring and ESPN.
Their first battle, March 1, 2007 was an instant classic and early frontrunner to win Fight of the Year… that is, until the rematch came along. Vazquez-Marquez I and II had everything sports’ fans could dream of: Non-stop back-and-forth action, blood, cuts, a broken nose, and vicious knockdowns with each fighter taking home a victory. The final installment is for pride, legacy and most important, super bantamweight supremacy.
“I want to thank all my fans for their support,” said the 30-year old Vazquez. “On March 1 you will see why they call me ‘Magnifico.’ Get ready for round 13.”
One of boxing’s best unknown fighters for many years, Mexico City’s Vazquez finally broke onto the world scene in 2002 with his memorable rematch loss to Oscar Larios, whom he had previously stopped in a single round. Two years later and undeterred by the setback, Vazquez worked his way back into the title picture and won the super bantamweight championship with a 12th round stoppage of Jose Luis Valbuena in March of 2004. Vazquez then went on to dominate the division, knocking out Larios in three rounds in their 2005 rubber match along the way. Vazquez did not lose again until his first fight against Marquez in March of 2007.
The premier bantamweight of this era, Rafael Marquez, ruled over the 118-pound weight class with an iron fist from 2003 to 2006, making seven title defenses and defeating the likes of Tim Austin, Silence Mabuza, and Mauricio Pastrana. In 2007, the 32-year old decided to test the waters at 122 pounds, and he stunned the world with his seventh round stoppage of Vazquez in their first bout in March of last year.
“I know what it takes to beat Vazquez,” said the 32-year-old Marquez. “I’ve done it before so I’ll be ready for whatever he brings.”
