Showtime Commemorates 'The Trilogy' By Steve Kim (April 30, 2008) Photo © German Villasenor Send this page to friend Give us your feedback While HBO has it's own boxing telecast emanating from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California this weekend, Showtime will be taking a look back at the epic three-fight series that was waged between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez (whose first and third installments took place at the Home Depot Center tennis stadium) by premiering 'Vazquez-Marquez: The Trilogy' this Saturday night (10:45 pm ET/PT). Both Vazquez and Marquez give their commentary on the 25 pulsating rounds of action they have participated in. Various members of the boxing press are also featured as they give their thoughts on this fierce rivalry that has been placed in the same company as Barrera-Morales and Zale-Graziano. The documentary, which looks back at all three fights, is two hours. "We're going to do a behind-the-scenes retrospective with the fighters, with people from the boxing world, and getting their perspective and watching as these events unfolded and doing it in a very creative way," explained Ken Hershman, Showtime Sports and Event Programming Sr. Vice President and General Manager. For the network, it has become the defining feature of their boxing franchise. "I can't quantify it, I think that this is a once-in-a-lifetime trilogy. The only event that I can compare it to is our first Corrales-Castillo fight," said Hershman. "It's the only other event that will really stand the test of time on it's own as a special sporting event. And I think that this trilogy is right up there. And I hope we did it justice and we hope people tune in on May 3rd to our documentary because this is a spectacular tribute to these amazing fighters." A couple of weeks ago, the fighters and their camps converged in Southern California to begin filming the documentary. For Rafael Marquez, who lost by the slimmest of margins in the rubber match, it would be his first look back at the bout that took place this past March. And he's more convinced more than ever that he should've had his hand raised in victory. "Absolutely, you can not win a fight on one round," he would say through publicist Ramiro Gonzalez. "I think I connected on the best shots on his head and body and everything. Vazquez landed, too, don't get me wrong. But I feel I put on the better performance. Maybe in the last round I made a mistake, but you can not lose a fight on one round." Despite losing the last two chapters of this rivalry - both of which can be considered the best fights of their respective years - Marquez still appreciates the role he has played in this memorable series. "I really do appreciate it, what we've been doing for these three fights. This job is very hard to do but I'm very proud, whatever happens. Honestly, I'm very proud to be a part of the three fights," he would say. At the El Tamayo Restaurant in East LA, both fighters were the guests of honor as Showtime hosted a luncheon to mark the occasion. Behind the dais was a huge screen that played the third matchup, which saw Vazquez getting off the canvas to rally in the late rounds and punctuate the unforgettable night by flooring Marquez in the final seconds of the fight. It would ultimately prove to be the difference in a split decision won by Vazquez by a single point. "Honestly, I felt I won," said Vazquez through Gonzalez at the El Tamayo. "I know I did enough to win." His battle scars had just cleared up by this time. On the night of the fight, his visage was a mosaic of cuts, bumps and bruises suffered at the heavy hands of Marquez. But Vazquez, in viewing that fight over again, is not turned off by the sheer brutality of the fight. In fact, he seems to relish in it. "I have to be exposed to that," he insisted. "Scary moments, they happen, but I was trained properly, that's why I have faith in myself. I trained so hard, I wasn't scared." It was the type of affair where fighters’ careers are shortened and never quite the same. But Vazquez, who was in his usual good spirits would say, "To be honest, I feel OK, I've recuperated. I feel very well because I take care of myself. I don't drink, I don't smoke. I take care of myself. So basically I feel fine." While members of the media were either conducting their interviews or partaking in their free lunch, the power-brokers involved in Vazquez-Marquez would meet privately in an adjacent room. Over a small table, Hershman, Scott Woodworth and Sean Gibbons (of Sycuan Ringside Promotions), Frank Espinoza (Vazquez's manager), Jaime Quintana (Marquez's adviser) and Gary Shaw (Marquez's promoter) would sit down and talk for a good 45 minutes. It doesn't take a member of Mensa to figure out what they were discussing. "I can't tell you anything other than we just had some preliminary conversations about it," said Hershman, alluding to a fourth fight between the two Mexican warriors. "I think there's interest among everyone in trying to make it happen. But we're a long way from here to there." Shaw would call the pow-wow, "just the start of the negotiation," but he believes Vazquez-Marquez is a 'must-make' fight. "Look, Vazquez and Marquez will be forever joined at the hip and I don't think they can make as much money fighting someone else, as fighting themselves. For the fighters themselves, the fight makes sense; for the fans, the fight make sense." If the fourth bout happens, it will take place next year. According to Espinoza, his fighter is getting the rest of 2008 off. "We're entertaining every offer that's out there and certainly that's one of them," says the manager of another bout with Marquez. "Right now, we're just discussing and we'll see what the future holds. But nothing’s for sure." And should it take place, look for a bigger house than the Home Depot Center. "Certainly the Staples Center, if that fight did ever develop," said Espinoza. "I think it belongs here in California. I would push for that, if it were to happen. Pay-per-view is another thing I think it is deserving of. I think there would be enough pay-per-view buys." Some pundits believe that enough is enough, that neither fighter should be subjected to another battle with the other. But the combatants seem eager to get it on once again. "I'd rather go immediately into the fourth fight, I don't want to wait," insisted Marquez, with vigor. "Y'know why? Because now it's very hot; if you don't do it, it's going to chill down and the people like to see those fights. Vazquez-Marquez, Marquez-Pacquiao. We, as fighters, like to give people great performances and great fights. That's why I want to go immediately, I don't want to wait." Vazquez echoes those sentiments: "I'm looking forward to a fourth fight. Why not?" But for now, it's a time to reflect on what has already taken place in the three bouts between the two. "That was a whirlwind," says Shaw. "I couldn't believe round after round the way they were fighting and what a great fight that I was a witness to and what a great fight I was a part of." COTTO COMING WEST? On Tuesday, promoter Bob Arum met with Miguel Cotto and his representatives in regards to his proposed bout with Antonio Margarito on July 26th in Las Vegas. "We had a nice meeting," Arum would tell Maxboxing on Tuesday evening. "We're moving towards finalizing the deal and everybody, it looks like, is leaning towards having the fight in Las Vegas." If the fight ends up in the desert, the MGM Grand will host the event. Margarito has agreed to the financial terms of the bout; as for Cotto, "We're finalizing it; it's a little more complicated with him," explained Arum. "But were pretty much there. We're not there completely, but we're pretty much there." Once his John Hancock is on the dotted line, Top Rank will begin its promotional push. "On the 19th of May, we're going to have a press conference in Mexico City and then we'll be coming to Los Angeles on the 20th, and then go to New York and then San Juan," said Arum. REPLAY If you miss 'the Trilogy' on Saturday night on Showtime, replays will be shown on SHO TOO on Tuesday (10 pm, ET/PT) and Thursday. FINAL FLURRIES ShoBox features a bout between Andre Dirrell and Anthony Hanshaw this Friday night. If Dirrell puts on a performance that is anywhere near as 'dirreadful' as his outing against Curtis Stevens, then he should be banned by every network....So I guess that Jason Kidd trade didn't work out that well for the Mavs, huh?....Admit it, you're stunned that the Atlanta Hawks are 2-2 with the Celtics....Speaking of the Hawks and Atlanta, where did all those fans come from?.... 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