SHOWTIME OWNS THE WEEKEND
This weekend’s boxing action is highlighted with a historic forth fight between two savagely brilliant top ranked “Pound for Pound” warriors on Saturday. As usual, ESPN’s popular series “Friday Night Fights” will start things off with a bang. First, let’s take a look at the fight of the weekend, and possible fight of the year.
VAZQUEZ VS. MARQUEZ IV!
After a two-year absence from beating the hell out of each other, relentless pressure fighting machines Israel Vazquez (44-4, 32 KOs) and Rafael Marquez (38-5, 34 KOs) will once again engage in warfare over 12 rounds or less within the featherweight (126) limit at the Staples Center in Los Angeles California, Saturday on Showtime at 9 PM ET.
TRILOGY OF VIOLENCE
In what is arguably the most violently entertaining trilogy in the history of the sport, former champions Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez fought three remarkable encounters in just a span of a year. During that display of fistic pugilistic brilliance, both combatants competitively went “toe to toe” in every one of the 25 hellacious rounds they shared in the ring. Their first encounter was a blood bath. Through out the contest, Marquez continuously battered the nose of his adversary, and as a result, the aforementioned stained beating ultimately forced Vazquez to throw in the towel (W Marquez TKO 7). The second affair, which was awarded “fight of the year” for 2007, was fought at a blistering pace, and again, the bout was cut short of going the distance. This time around, by way of the referee calling a halt to the action, it would be Israel’s hand raised (W Vazquez TKO 6). With two fights in the books and each scrapper splitting a win, naturally, the public’s demand for these two great gladiators to throw hands once more was inevitable. In a riot of a fight which saw both men absorb tremendous shots and hit the canvas, the third stanza proved to be the most ruckus of them all and the final bell would decide the winner. In round 12 of the “fight of the year” for 2008, Vazquez came out like a “house on fire” and beat on Marquez like rock drummer. With just ten seconds remaining in a feverish round, Vazquez caught Marquez with crisp right hand that sent him spiraling out of control into the ropes. The referee administered a count, a disgusted Marquez was defiant of the ruling, but acknowledge the count, and was able to continue. However, the bell would sound and Marquez, because of the knockdown, fell short of earning a draw against Vazquez by one point (W Vazquez SD 12).
VAZQUEZ: BEFORE AND AFTER MARQUEZ
Vazquez was 41-3 with 27 KOs, and had a nine fight win streak (7 KOs) before his first battle against Marquez. Israel has only fought once since his epic 25 rounds of boxing against Rafael, earning a knock out victory in the ninth against hopeless unknown Angelo Antonio Priolo.
MARQUEZ: BEFORE AND AFTER VAZQUEZ
Before thrice waring with Vazquez, Marquez was 35-3 with 32 KOs and had won 15 in a row (12 KOs). Since, Rafael has knocked out over matched opponent Jose Francisco Mendoza in three short rounds.
CURTAIN RAISER NOTHING TO SLEEP ON
Unbeaten IBF bantamweight (118) belt holder Yonnhy Perez (20-0, 14 KOs) puts his title on the line against undefeated action fighter Abner Mares (20-0, 13 KOs) in a 12 round co featured bout.
ESPN DELIVERS AN INTRIGUING BOUT OF SIGNIFICANCE
In an IBF lightweight (135) elimination bout, Korean brawler Ji Hoon Kim (20-5, 17 KOs) squares off against Panamanian slugger Ameth Diaz (29-9, 19 KOs) in a scheduled 12 rounder from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas, Friday, on ESPN 2 at 10 PM ET.
SIGNORELLA WANTS TO KNOW!
Ring Talk Readers: I want to know your predictions for Vazquez vs. Marquez IV and I want to know what your favorite trilogy is!
I have Marquez (W KO 10) and my favorite trilogy is Arturo “Thunder” Gatti vs. “Irish” Mickey Ward.
John Signorella