Rafael Marquez to fight in August, then plans for Vazquez

Former 118 and 122-pound titlist Rafael Marquez of Mexico says he's already training for an August 22 fight and then he wants that fourth fight with Israel Vazquez. He says everything is fine after the car accident that scared fans in recent months.

"In a stroke of luck, everything turned out well after the accident. There were only some scratches and we are already training hard to come back in Guadalajara against an opponent from Nicaragua."

As far as Vazquez goes:

"We already know the fight will be at featherweight (126 pounds). Israel wants it and I want it."

Despite the quibbling after their third fight, when Marquez believed he was erroneously called knocked down in the crucial 12th and deciding round, he and Vazquez seem to maintain a great level of respect for one another. After their hellacious three bouts, it'd be tough not to. Micky Ward has said that he and rival Arturo Gatti had two choice after their fights: Hate each other or become close. They became close. It's yet to be seen if that'll be the case for Israel and Rafael, but they sure don't seem to hate each other. I can definitely see the two posing together for photographs in the next decades at conventions and the like. They're already completely intertwined with one another.