Marquez vanquishes Vazquez to even up the series

Rafael Marquez (39-5, 35 KO’s) defeated a resilient Israel Vazquez convincingly (44-5, 33 KO’s), capturing a 3rd round technical knockout to even the series between them at two fights apiece.

Vazquez, 32, opened the bout landing a swift overhand right, although Marquez, 35, landed the sharper punches in round one, striking Vazquez with counter left hooks and overhand rights. Then, Vazquez responded with a left hook to Marquez’s head. However, Marquez started using lateral movement and utilized an effective left jab.

In round two, Marquez opened up a severe laceration above Vazquez’s left eye when he connected with a precise overhand right. After that, Marquez found his range and continually beat Vazquez to the punch, scoring with left uppercuts in close range. Still, Vazquez kept pressuring and fighting through a bloody face.

Both men exchanged right hands to start the third round. Marquez landed a quick left uppercut, but clashed heads with Vazquez. As a result, Vazquez sustained another cut above his right eye. Next, Marquez floored a bloodied Vazquez with an overhand right to the head. Vazquez got up, however, he was met with a barrage of lefts and rights from Marquez, prompting referee Raul Caiz Jr. to stop the contest at 1:33 in round three.

Marquez wanted to make a bold statement coming into the fight.

“I was really hurt,” stated Marquez. “Today, I made things clear.”

Marquez also believes another fight with Vazquez could happen in the near future.

Marquez declared, “A fifth one could be a possibility, if the fans want it.”

Vazquez expressed his interest in a fifth fight.

“I’m willing to do it again in 5 or 6 months,” said Vazquez. “Maybe surgery is needed so the cuts don’t open again.”

Prior to tonight’s fight, Marquez won the first encounter (RTD 7), while Vazquez prevailed in the second (TKO 6) and third (SD 12) fights.

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