The first bout between Israel Vazquez andRafael Marquez was much anticipated in the boxing media and had been
described as a "sensational action fight". Both boxers agreed with
this sentiment, with Vazquez claiming that it was "going to be the
fight of the year" and Marquez stating that the fight was "going to
be a brawl". Although Vazquez accepted that Marquez would be the most
dangerous opponent he had ever faced, he believed that as the naturally
heavier man he would have the advantage. However, Marquez claimed
that he felt much stronger at super bantamweight and that at this
weight he would be just as powerful.
As predicted, the fight
turned out to be a brawl, with both boxers landing heavy punches throughout
the fight. The early portion of the fight was dominated by Marquez
and with his greater hand speed and combinations he was able to land
an uppercut which broke Vazquez's nose in the opening round. Vazquez
would make a strong comeback in the third round as he was able to
knock Marquez down. Marquez rose from the canvas at the count of three,
although he was on unsteady legs, he managed to see out the remainder
of the round. By the end of the fifth round Vazquez's broken nose
had become a major problem with Vazquez telling his cornerman Freddie
roach: "I can't continue". despite this, the fight continued for two
more fast paced rounds before Vazquez finally retired on his stool
at the end of round seven claiming: "I can't anymore. I can't anymore".
As a result, Marquez was announced as the winner and the new champion.
Second
fight
A rematch between the two fighters was originally scheduled for
July but had to be pushed back to August. After his success in the
first fight Marquez predicted that he would once again win by knockout.
Before the rematch Vazquez had to hire Rudy Perez as his new trainer
as his previous trainer opted out of the bout. Roach claimed that
Vazquez should have taken more time off and that he was starting to
slur his words. However, Vazquez, in reference to his nose injuries
in the first fight, said that he wanted to show in the rematch that
he could beat Marquez when he was healthy.
The rematch was considered
to be even greater than the first fight, with Ring Magazine announcing
it has its fight of the year for 2007. The action peaked in round
three, a round that would later win the Ring Magazine round of the
year award. Both fighters exchanged heavy punches throughout the third
round with Marquez suffering a cut over his right eye, Marquez was
able to respond with series of overhand rights which opened cuts over
both of Vazquez's eyes. The Blood would continue to flow from Vazquez's
left eye throughout the fight. During the sixth round Vazquez was
able to knock Marquez down with a heavy hook to the head, and although
Marquez was able to rise from the canvas, the referee, Jose Guadalupe
Garcia, stopped the action after Vazquez landed another series of
punches, thus Vazquez reclaimed his title. It was felt by both Marquez
and Showtime analyst Al Bernstein that the referee's stoppage was
premature. Despite this, the referee claimed that his stoppage was
justified. Following the bout both boxers expressed their eagerness
for a third fight to happen.