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.