Israel Vázquez, the fearless and indefatigable Mexican fighter who won three bantamweight world titles, and provided fight fans with an unforgettable four-fight series with fellow Mexican Rafael Marquez, has died at age 46, it was announced on Tuesday.
The crowd-pleasing boxer nicknamed “El Magnifico” recently revealed last month that he had sarcoma, a form of cancer.
Despite competing the majority of his storied career at a weight far below where most casual fight fans typically clamor for, Vázquez and Rafael Marquez perhaps single-handedly were responsible for cultivating their own personal Golden Era at the super bantamweight division with their unforgettable four-fight series.
At a time when much of boxing fandom bemoans the fact that one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound practitioners, Naoya “Monster” Inoue cannot seem to find a suitably skilled dance partner for a legacy-defining fight in the super bantamweight division, the two ferocious Mexican combatants thrilled fans at 122-lbs. in a way not seen since Johnny Tapia and Paulie Ayala engaged in a memorable three-fight Trilogy. At the very least, the wars between Marquez and Vázquez harkened back to times when exciting fighters like Marco Antonio Barerra, Erik Morales, Junior Jones, and yes, one Manny Pacquiao made 122 more than just a quick stop over for fighters looking for more lucrative matches at the 126-lb. featherweight division.
World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed Vázquez’ untimely passing in an announcement on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, saying, in part: “Israel is finally resting in peace. May God provide his family with strength. We extend support to his wife Laura, his kids, family and friends during this difficult time,” stated the WBC boss, before closing his statement by saying
“Gracias campeón por dejar una huella tan especial. Siempre serás el Magnífico,” or
“Thanks champion for leaving a special footprint. You will always be ‘El Magnifico.'”
Vazquez made his debut as a professional fighter in 1995 and retired in 2010 with a record of 44-5 (32 KOs), but will forever be adored by supporters of the Sweet Science for the four all-out wars he waged with his countryman Marquez from 2007-10. The two warriors split the series, with Marquez taking the first and last fights by stoppage; while Vázquez would win the middle (second and third) fights, respectively.
Despite winning their initial rematch in 2008 Vázquez would suffer a detached retina and eventually lost his right eye as a result.
Vázquez initially became a world champion when he won the vacant IBF super bantmanweight title back in 2004 against Jose Luis Valbuena, and subsequently successfully defended it twice. The Mexico City native then wrested the WBC belt from titleholder Oscar Larios with a third-round stoppage in 2005.
Vázquez retained the WBC belt until the first meeting with Márquez, eventually retiring after round seven due to struggles breathing through a broken nose. In their second fight five months later, Vázquez regained the title, overcoming cuts over both eyes, via knock out in the sixth round. In one of those cruel ironies famous in boxing, it can be reasonably stated that each man losing one of the first three fights due to TKO stoppage, that some would label as capitulation, ultimately contributed to the vicious unforgiving nature of their subsequent battles.
Vázquez would win their third -and only bout to go the distance- in early 2008 via a closely-contested split decision. Despite this, the eye injury he sustained prevented Vázquez from having another fight for the rest of the year and he was stripped of the title by the WBC.
Following three eye surgeries, Vázquez was cleared to fight once again, and fought Márquez a fourth time in Los Angeles, suffering a third-round knockout.
Vázquez finished his outstanding ring career with a record of 44-5, with 32 knockouts. May he rest well. Gracias por todos los grandes recuerdos, Campeón.
