Israel Vazquez looking to come back, possibly at 126 pounds
by SC on Apr 28, 2009 6:19 PM EDT
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122-pound world champion Israel Vazquez has been out of the ring for over a year, and given his issues after eye surgery, it would surprise no one if we never saw him fight again. But Izzy isn't thinking that way: He's looking to return as soon as possible, and perhaps go up to 126 pounds.
Vazquez (43-4, 31 KO) says he'd like to fight featherweight titlist Steven Luevano or 122-pound titleholder Juan Manuel Lopez. I don't think either fight is a particularly good idea, but given the way Izzy gets beaten up and dishes it back, I guess no fight is a "good idea" for him unless he faces some feather-fisted guy we all know won't mess him up too bad. Luevano isn't a big puncher, but about two and a half inches of both height and reach on Vazquez. Simply put, he's a bigger man.
Lopez? I'd class that as a terrible idea. He's a nasty puncher, very fast hands, and a good boxer. At 31, Vazquez is really beaten up. The Marquez wars weren't the only outrageously exciting and brutal fights he's been in. I have the feeling that no matter what you take into account -- Vazquez's insane heart, resiliency, and probably still-good punching power -- he'd get shredded by the younger, stronger and fresher Juanma.
He also mentions a fourth fight with Rafael Marquez and says no one has really come to him with the idea. I love both guys and those fights were outstanding, three of the best I've ever had the pleasure of seeing, but I'm not crazy about the idea. I think it would wind up feeling like one of those old timers' fights where you know you're watching two guys fight each other because they might not be able to handle anyone else near the top of the ranks. Marquez returns on May 23 in Monterrey in a WBC 122-pound eliminator against Jose Francisco Mendoza.
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Way to go IZZY! Give it a while before rd 4 though man… I know that fight will happen but crush some cans first and get your rhythm back.
Gimme 1 round!
by ItBurnzWhenIP on Apr 28, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think he’ll get shredded. I thought Juanma was going to shred Penalosa. Despite what Max said, Penalosa is human. The jury is still out on what planet Vasquez is from. Lopez gets the edge because he hasn’t been in any wars yet. But I’ve got a feeling that after he fights Israel, you won’t be able to say that about him anymore.
"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb
by jrok on Apr 28, 2009 10:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I can see that. I think Lopez would beat him up something awful but not without paying some price. Kinda a Pacquiao-Morales II situation, I guess. At some point the fresher guy just overwhelms and Vazquez’s legs finally go.
And God knows Izzy is my favorite fighter.
"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 SC on Apr 28, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
vasquez-lopez would be an instant classic while it lasts
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Apr 29, 2009 12:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know how much you love Vasquez, Scott, and it surprises me that you have been sort of a downer about his career post-Marquez III. Is it possible that you have been a little, shall we say, over-protective of Vasquez in your posts since Vasquez / Marquez III? Where exactly is the evidence that the trilogy sapped him so much? I refuse to predict a spent Israel Vasquez until my eyes actually show me a reason to.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
by Matt Miller on Apr 29, 2009 1:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The fact that he had eye surgery is a big thing to me.
"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 SC on Apr 29, 2009 4:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The eye surgery for sure...
That, and the fact that both he and Marquez have taken over a year off after their third clash. I can understand boxers wanting a break after a tough fight but that typically is 6-8 months, heck even 10, but it’s been just about 14 months. Typically, a break that long signifies a boxer is slowing down (see Oscar).
The fact that neither could take a fight within a year suggests that the trilogy really took a lot out of both men, and how could it not have? All you have to do is watch those fights to know that. Both guys may have something left but they are undoubtedly never going to be the same. Very sad but also unfortunately how it works.
by kp the ghost on Apr 29, 2009 10:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well that theory applies more to rafy then it does for vasquez. vasquez had to take at least a year off because of the aforementioned eye surgery, but i don’t see any reason for marquez to take such a long break unless he was the one who’s slowing down
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Apr 29, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think just to let the wounds heal. I don’t expect either Rafael or Izzy to be the same again.
"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 SC on Apr 29, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish him well whatever happens....
If he never fights again he will still be remembered as one of the most courageous, unbelievable warriors of all time due to that trilogy. I get the same chills watching any one of their fights as I do when I watch “ROCKY”.
by SkeedTom on Apr 29, 2009 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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