MARQUEZ vs. VAZQUEZ II
CABALLERO vs. LACIERVA
WBC and WBA Super Bantamweight Championships
Saturday, Aug. 4, 2007
From The Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas
VAZQUEZ EVENS THE SCORE;
MARQUEZ LOOKING FOR THE RUBBER MATCH
NEW YORK (August 5, 2007) – La Venganza! It was vengeance, vindication and redemption for a jubilant Israel Vazquez Saturday night on SHOWTIME. Vazquez stopped Rafael Marquez in a rematch to regain the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantamweight world title that he lost to Marquez earlier this year at 1:16 of the sixth round in an old-school, classic and bloody slugfest.
The main event of the SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast from the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas had everything: tremendous offensive technique; non-stop, two-way action; a touch of controversy; and the contemplation of a third fight.
In Saturday’s co-feature, a World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Bantamweight world championship, Celestino Caballero retained his belt by unanimous decision over Jorge Lacierva in another action-packed battle (116-110, 116-111 and 115-112).
Marquez and Vazquez picked up where they left off in their first fight on March 3, 2007, which saw Marquez rally from an early knockdown to dethrone Vazquez at the end of round seven.
That fight, a Fight of the Year candidate, seemed to pale in comparison as “Round Eight” began Saturday with the Mexican warriors going toe-to-toe from the start. Both fighters thrilled the fans in attendance and viewers across the country with blazing speed, devastating power and an ability to take advantage of each others defensive openings.
In the third round, a Round of the Year candidate, Vazquez landed vicious left hooks to the body and head of Marquez, swelling and cutting his right eye. But Marquez fired right back with powerful overhand rights and uppercuts to open cuts near both eyes of his opponent. As combinations from one fighter landed, the other seemingly loaded up with a barrage of his own.
“One of those old-time fights,” bellowed announcer Steve Albert during third-round action.
Early in the sixth, with blood flowing steadily from a deep gash over his left eye, Vazquez landed another devastating hook that sent Marquez to the canvas. A weary Marquez rose, shook off the sting and immediately engaged Vazquez. With the fighters trading punches along the ropes, referee Guadalupe Garcia stepped in to stop the fight.
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“I don’t understand,” complained Marquez, who lost the first of his 10 career title fights. “I was throwing punches. I was able to fight. I don’t know why the referee didn’t see his eyes and think that he was hurt too.”
Said SHOWTIME analyst Al Bernstein: “I am loath to criticize an official. My whole career I have been loath to criticize officials. However, I feel that this stoppage was premature. Israel Vazquez was superb tonight and may very well have knocked out Marquez later in that round—no question. However, I do feel that the Garcia stopped this fight too quickly.”
“It was only a matter of time,” said Vazquez (42-4 32 KO’s) who now has six KO’s in seven world championship fights. “I couldn’t finish him earlier because he is a great fighter, but if not (stopped) then, I would have finished him in the next round. I knew he was in trouble.”
Marquez lost his first fight in seven years and drops to 37-4 with 33 knockouts.
“After the first fight, man-to-man, we told him we’d give him a rematch,” said Marquez, 32, a two-time world champ. “And now, man-to-man, we want him to know we want the third fight.”
“It was an easy decision for me to stop this fight,” said Garcia. “Marquez was in bad shape. He got knocked down, got up and was taking more punches. In this sport, the interest of the fighters is the best thing.”
In the WBA title fight, referee Laurence Cole had his hands full for an awkward and tangled, albeit exciting, 12 rounds.
The feisty—and much smaller—Lacierva (5’ 6”) of Mexico City, took it to the champion Caballero early winning most of the first six rounds. But Caballero, dubbed “The Towering Inferno” because he stands nearly six feet tall, was able to use his significant reach advantage to control the latter half of the fight.
Despite repeated warnings from Cole, both fighters scraped aggressively and pummeled each other round after round with blatant disregard for the rules and the bell. Elbows, forearms, heads and fists were flying as Lacierva kept machine-like pressure on his opponent throughout.
Caballero, of Panama, improved to 27-2 (18 KO’s) in his second successful title defense while Lacierva dropped to 32-7-6 (22 KO’s).
In between fights, fellow former world champions “Ferocious” Fernando Vargas and Ricardo “El Matador” Mayorga, who are scheduled to settle a bitter personal dispute on Sept 8 (SHOWTIME® PPV), were interviewed by ringside reporter Jim Gray via three-way remote (taped) from Los Angeles and Miami respectively. Both fighters were given the chance to discuss what set off a press conference brawl on July 11 at STAPLES Center in L.A., and their impending scrap.
It is clear that tempers have not settled and both fighters are anxiously awaiting their next meeting Sept. 8, dubbed The Brawl by co-promoters Main Events and Don King Productions.
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Catch the replay of tonight’s explosive fights and the compelling interview with Vargas and Mayorga, on Tuesday, August 7, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (SHO Too) and Wednesday, August 8 at 11 p.m. ET/PT (SHO) or when available at SHOWTIME On Demand.
Albert and Bernstein called the action from ringside with Jim Gray and Karyn Bryant reporting from the arena. The executive producer of SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING is David Dinkins Jr., with Bob Dunphy directing.
HIDALGO, Tex. (Aug. 5, 2007) – Sycuan Ringside Promotions went three-for-three Saturday at the Dodge Arena, highlighted by Israel Vazquez’s sensational sixth-round knockout of Rafael Marquez to regain the World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title.
In a serious candidate for Fight of the Year, which included an incredibly exciting, brutal third stanza that could turn out to be the Round of the Year, a carved and bloody but indomitable Vazquez (42-4, 32 KOs), who is co-promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, registered the fight’s lone knockdown when he dropped Marquez in the sixth.
Moments later, the referee stepped in and stopped the exciting, give-and-take slugfest at 1:16. Vazquez, who turned the tables on Marquez (37-4, 33 KOs) after losing last March 7, was ahead by the scores of 48-47 on the three scorecards after five completed rounds.
“We hit the trifecta and it can’t get any better than that,” said Glenn Quiroga, President of the San Diego, Calif.-based boxing group. “Tonight was a tremendous night for Sycuan Ringside Promotions and I am very proud of everyone involved.
“Israel’s fight with Rafael was tremendous. The third round was like Hagler-Hearns only 38 pounds lighter.’’
Said Scott Woodworth, Vice-President of Sycuan Ringside Promotions, “I have been in boxing a long time, but, seriously, this was the greatest fight I have ever seen. The third round was more than any fan possibly could ask for. The entire fight was just breathtakingly unreal.
“Vazquez and Marquez are, indeed, true warriors – ultimate warriors. Both were cut and bloodied but never quit throwing punches or giving 100 percent.
“This was a great night for boxing and I am already looking forward to their third fight.’’
The rubber match, both Woodworth and promoter Gary Shaw announced afterward, would take place in early 2008.
Vazquez, who was cut around both eyes, was quick to credit his cornermen. “My cutman, Joe Sanchez, did an unbelievable job,” he said. “I knew the cuts were bad but I was never worried they were going to stop the fight because I could see.
“I can’t say enough about my new trainer, Rudy Perez, either. He was fabulous from day one of our training camp. He had me in excellent shape and our game plan worked to perfection.
“A lot of people questioned me for taking this fight so soon because of the nose injury I suffered in our first fight. But it was never a factor or a problem tonight.
“I told everyone the real Israel Vazquez would show up this time around. It wasn’t easy, of course. Rafael Marquez is a great champion. But I do feel a little satisfaction proving so many people wrong. I am very happy to have won my title back and brought it back to Sycuan.’’
In a tough, hard-fought encounter immediately preceding Vazquez-Marquez on SHOWTIME, Celestino Caballero, co-promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Seminole Warriors Boxing, retained his World Boxing Association (WBA) 122-pound crown with a unanimous 12-round decision over Jorge Lacierva.
“The best is yet to come,’’ said Panama’s Caballero (27-2, 16 KOs), who overcame a slow start to triumph by the scores of 116-110, 116-111 and 115-11. “I wanted to look better, but it is hard to look good against a guy who fights as dirty as Lacierva (32-7-6, 22 KOs).
Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ promising young junior welterweight Jorge Paez Jr. (16-1, 10 KOs) got the night off to an excellent start by pitching a six-round shutout over Jaime Orrantia. Paez won by 60-54 on all the cards.
About Sycuan Ringside Promotions
Sycuan Ringside Promotions of San Diego is considered to be the fastest-growing and most dynamic promotional entity in the sport. Sycuan Ringside Promotions made its promotional debut during 2004, but already has or had six current or former world champions and has promoted and presented world title bouts across the country on premium cable networks.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions has many notable boxers in its stable, including Vazquez, Caballero and Paez, International Boxing Federation (IBF) lightweight champion Julio Diaz, World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight champion Joan Guzman, former WBC welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir and undefeated cruiserweight prospect Shawn Hawk.
Sycuan Ringside Promotions is led by Glenn Quiroga, president; Willie Tucker, executive vice president; and Scott Woodworth, vice president।
Photos: TOM CASINO/SHOWTIME
The four fighters competing in the 122-pound world title fights Saturday on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast) made weight easily Friday.
Former WBC champion Israel Vazquez (left) and defending WBC super bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez each weighed in at 121 pounds.
Jorge Lacierva tipped scale at 121 pounds, while reigning WBA 122-pound titleholder Celestino Caballero weighed 121 1/2.
In an eagerly awaited rematch, Marquez defends against Vazquez and Caballero risks his belt against Lacierva in the top fights of a six-bout card Saturday at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Tex.
The fight card is presented by Gary Shaw Productions and Sycuan Ringside Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions.
The main principals for Saturday's SHOWTIME show (left-to-right): Rafael Marquez' manager Jaime Quintana, promoter Gary Shaw, Marquez, Israel Vazquez, Executive Vice President Sycuan Ringside Promotions Willie Tucker, Vazquez' manager Frank Espinoza and Vice President Sycuan Ringside Promotions Scott Woodworth pose after Thursday's final press conference at Hidalgo, Tex.
WBA 122-pound champion Celestino Caballero defends against Jorge Lacierva in the co-feature Saturday on SHOWTIME (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast).
Thursday, Aug. 2, 2007,
Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas
In a rematch of a leading candidate for Fight of the Year, Rafael Marquez will defend his WBC super bantamweight title against former champion Israel Vazquez this Saturday, Aug. 4, on SHOWTIME at the Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Tex.
In the first half of a SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecast that begins at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the west coast), Vazquez’ Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ stablemate, WBA 122-pound titleholder Celestino Caballero, will defend against Jorge Lacierva.
The world championship doubleheader is presented by Gary Shaw Productions and Sycuan Ringside Promotions in association with Golden Boy Promotions.
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