Vazquez-Marquez: One year later

by Scott Christ on Mar 1, 2009 11:16 AM EST in Boxing History

We are just hours removed from yet another masterful performance from Juan Manuel Marquez, but we are also exactly one year removed from the end of the trilogy between Juan Manuel's younger brother, Rafael, and his great rival, Israel Vazquez.

The 2008 Fight of the Year was one for the ages, and will never be forgotten. The two men left nothing in the tanks; everything was poured into their unyielding, brutal performances on that night in Carson, California.

12 months later to the day, neither Vazquez nor Marquez has stepped back into the ring. Marquez is making soft plans to do so with a small comeback fight in Mexico, while Vazquez won't know if he'll even be able to continue his career for a few months more after having eye surgery last year.

The Showtime recap of Vazquez-Marquez III:

A Showtime photo essay video on all three of their spectacular bouts:

Hats off once more for these two exceptional warriors. For three fights (and more prior to those battles), they gave us boxing fans all they had and then some.

Edit: Hey! I dug up the old Showtime-approved embeddable video of the first two fights! Enjoy again. If you have not seen these fights, watch them.

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Comments

If Martians landed tommorrow and asked me what Boxing is, I think I would show them these three fights. Showtime is doing right by the sport to package them. I have no doubt I’ll still be talking about these fights when I am old and toothless.

"I want to see ocean. I want to see black people. I want to see palms." - Wladimir Klitschko

by jrok on Mar 1, 2009 12:33 PM EST reply actions

The third fight was undoubtedly better than last night’s epic battle, but I would be curious to know if others think last night’s fight exceeds either of the first two Vasquez / Marquez classics. Opinions?

by Matt Miller on Mar 1, 2009 2:25 PM EST reply actions

probably the first

But not the second.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler

by Scott Christ on Mar 1, 2009 9:13 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

Vazquez/Marquez 3 > 2 >JMM/Diaz > 1

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Mar 17, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it beat out Vasquez-Marquez I

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Mar 1, 2009 2:41 PM EST reply actions

Epic fights all of them… I didn’t like how the first fight ended nontheless….

by Zocalo on Mar 1, 2009 3:52 PM EST reply actions

i’m feel like crap for not going to see vasquez-marquez II. it took place in dodge arena which is like 30 minutes away from my house, but alas i had no knowledge of either man or the money to go

either way this was easily the greatest trilogy i’ve ever seen period.

The Dude Abides

by battle axe of doom on Mar 1, 2009 6:38 PM EST reply actions