RUBBER MATCH WINNER HEADS TO HALL OF FAME!
Las Vegas, NV-Anyway you look at the third Oscar Larios-IsraelVasquez clash set to air on this Saturdays Taylor-Hopkins II, HBO PPVcard, whether you like either man, this is a classic match. First of all,these are the two best fighters in the talented 122 lb. weight class. Thisis a rubber match, seeing they have already split a pair of fights. Theyrealso two of the finer fighters in boxing. As silly as it sounds, because ofpromotional rifts and conflicting TV Networks, getting the best against oneanother in a ring isnt always easy.
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MEXICAN CHAMPION ON POUND FOR POUND LIST
Oscar Larios has been a subject of my attention from early on, as has IsraelVasquez. Larios, now 29 years old, has gone 56-3-1, (36 KOs) since hisprofessional baptismal in January of 1994. This native of Guadalajara, MX,suffered his first loss in 1997. It came at the hands of the now 27-yearold Vasquez, of West Covina, CA, with a first round halt! Going on a roll,marred only by a speed bump loss to Agapito Sanchez, Larios arrived inSacramento, CA ready to rock for a January 19, 2001 WBC 122 pound titlefight with champion Willie Jorrin. Unfortunately the three judges, KenMorita, the late Larry Rozadilla (great guy), and Omar Minton,all saw Jorrin a 115-113 winner.
THREE JUDGES WERE ARMED WITH GUNS & PENS!
To show how ridiculous this scoring was, according to CompuBox, Willielanded two of nine jabs over 12 rounds, and, that was his most effective weapon! Witha rematch made, Jorrin, who according to the Sacramento Bee, had 24postponements to go along with just 27 fights, surprisingly not, pulled out! Instepped Vasquez, and the two went at it like skilled wild cats in May 2002 for11 heats, before Vasquez was stopped in the 12th.
REMATCH SAW JORRIN KNOCKED THE PUCK OUT!
When Willie Jorrin, finally got in the ring with Larios in November 2002,technically Jorrin was still WBC champion, as Larios-Vasquez II was for theinterim title. The ring introductions by Big Jim Hall actuallylasted longer than the fight itself, seeing it only went 1:28! A one-punchone-way ticket to la-la land, meant Jorrin was knocked out, period! Sincethat point, Larios has gone 10-0, including seven title defenses. Comingoff a pair of heated battles with Wayne McCullough, this might be Oscars lastgo at 122 lbs., as he has sights on 126 and 130 lb titles. But as good ashe is, Larios cant look past Israel Vasquez.
GREATNESS FOR ISRAEL MEANS BEATING LARIOS
With a 38-3, (27 KOs) record, Vasquez has gone six and zip, with fourstops, since the second Larios fight. He picked up the vacant IBF122 lb. trinket, when Jose Luis Valbuena yielded in the 12thlast year. Managed by Los Angeles maverick Frank Espinosa, Israelhas clamored for this match since soon after their second encounter. Larios,managed by the Mexican Godfather, Rafael Mendoza, jumped at theopportunity to seek some additional revenge against Vasquez for that 1997 firstround KO loss. With Larios coming off the two McCullough wins in 2005,Vasquez, in his last outing (May 2005) bested Armando Guerrero over 12,after halting unbeaten Art Simonyan before that.
HARD TO GO AGAINST LARIOS..UNLESS?
Having watched Donald Curry, make an unnatural weight one time toomany at 147 lbs., Lloyd Honeyghan all but killed him. Could this bethe Honeyghan, brought about by weight woes, for the 58 Larios? As for making my pick, Ill tend to that with the Odds& Prediction page for December, due up Wednesday morning here at www.RingTalk.com
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Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez is an award-winning writer, talk show host, and four-timeGolden Gloves champion. In other words, the Real Deal when it comesto knowing about, and writing of the sport of boxing. Comments pertainingto this article may be left below.