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A month removed from his signature win, Israel Vazquez reflects on his past and future
Article and Photo by German Villasenor (Sept 15, 2007)

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Just a little over a month after his second fight of the year candidate against Rafael Marquez, Israel ‘El Magnifico’ Vazquez, on a high following his rematch victory (which allowed him to regain his super bantamweight title), recently shared his thoughts with MaxBoxing about his career, his popularity, and the upcoming rubber match with his Mexican rival.

Following a string of thrilling wins, namely his second fight against Oscar Larios (which should have been fight of the year for 2002 if not for a certain Gatti vs Ward bout the following night), a quick TKO in three over Larios in their rubbermatch and another thriller where he had to get off the floor to stop the game Jhonny Gonzalez in 2006, Vazquez has gone on to up the ante with two memorable battles this year against Rafael Marquez.

Vazquez ran the gamut of emotions in the series so far, losing the first bout before redeeming himself in the second. And while being the main man at any weight class is something to be very proud of, how disappointed was Vazquez, who, after a rough few rounds in the first fight and seemingly getting the upper hand in the second half, saw his reign come to an abrupt end when he retired with an injured nose that only allowed him about fifteen percent breathing capacity in one nostril, with zero out of the other?

Well, Vazquez took it in stride, rationalizing his actions and stating that he knew he could beat his foe in a rematch.

“I knew I would beat him,” he said. “I had him going in the first fight, and I knew I was close to knocking him down again, but then the nose problem came. That was really a downer, but I knew I could beat him without the nose problems in the rematch.”

After the defeat, the healing of his nose and a little rest, Vazquez changed trainers as he jumped straight into the rematch to reclaim what he thought should still be his. Out was longtime coach Freddie Roach, due in part due to Freddie’s other commitments such as Manny Pacquiao, so after some shuffling a couple of trainers, Vazquez finally landed with Rudy Perez, Marco Antonio Barrera’s long time trainer.

“I feel good working with Rudy,” said Vazquez. “He is a very good trainer, having worked with one of my favorites in Barrera in his career, so I’m happy with him.
He has corrected a lot of the stuff I got away with, especially keeping my hands low and not bending at the waist. Without saying anything bad about Freddie, with him I got away with stuff in the ring due to my come forward style and pressure, while still getting hit a lot, pulling out the wins, and without correcting the technical deficiencies I showed. Joe Goossen also helped out a lot the week I was with him, and he also pointed out that I had to work on defense and movement, for that I also thank him.”

So is Perez definitely staying with the champ?

“We will be sticking with Rudy for the next fights,” stated Vazquez.

After such a grueling first fight, most fighters would have taken a long rest, followed by perhaps an easy fight before even entertaining a rematch against their conqueror. But such thoughts didn’t enter into the equation when rematch talks came about.

“My manager Frank Espinoza (who was criticized in some circles for it) came to me and told me he would push for an immediate rematch, and to make it a reality, so I told him to do it as the fight was still fresh in everyone’s mind,” said Vazquez.

Having to prove himself to the people was imperative for Vazquez, as retiring from a fight is a near sin in boxing circles, with only ‘El Magnifico’ and his camp really knowing the damage done to his nose. In situations like this, many so called ‘friends’ go away, with the defeated fighter usually finding out who really is a fan and a friend.

“Many people, although they did not want to say it at the time, I know they thought it, and that only made me more angry and focused in my training,” said Vazquez. “and after beating Marquez in the rematch those same people probably like me even less now because of it.”

Vazquez would stop Marquez in six torrid rounds to even the score on August 4th, and the rubber match was all but made after the fight, with both men holding up their digits and showing the number ‘3’. The fight is already a hot commodity and highly-anticipated by the fans, although word of a tune-up fight has recently come up.

“I have been hearing that I will have a preparatory bout in December against an opponent not identified at the moment, as the WBC has allowed one such fight before facing Marquez again early on next year,” said Vazquez. “That December bout has to be agreed upon by the promoters and my management first.”

Such fights can be costly though if a fighter is not ready, as many big fights have fallen by the wayside on the way to the big show in the past.

“I won't overlook any opponent, as those are the ones who trip you up and bring the big fights crashing down,” Vazquez made sure to emphasize when asked about such a fight.

In the meantime, the very humble and friendly champion has been doing the rounds, being honored in local fights around the LA area, with only a pinkish tint around the still healing cuts around the eyes.

“The cuts were the only thing I came out with in the last fight, no other damage,” he said. “I’m keeping in shape, but not doing any heavy duty training until I get further word regarding that December fight; plus I’m going down to meet the WBC in two weeks time to receive my new WBC belt.”

And the belts, with all the controversy that they bring, also bring the bigger money, and that, along with the fame, is the primary reason anyone gets into the ring. Such is the case with Vazquez, who, after toiling away for years, has finally broken through in past years, with the purses finally getting bigger too.

“I’m not making the big money yet, although I did start getting paid much better once I won the IBF title, and now I’m doing good, although I do have to save, as things are always rough as in the past when the money wasn’t as good,” he explains.

As for fight number three with Marquez, does the supremely confident Vazquez think things will go easier this time?

“This third Marquez fight will be my toughest,” he admits. “I know he will train to be at his best and it will be a very difficult fight, but I will do the same and win, one way or another. I’m not overlooking him at the least.”

Where will the fight end up - Mexico City or Los Angeles?

“I have been told the fight might be taking place in Mexico (City) where that will be Marquez’s backyard,” he said. “Although I’m also from Mexico City, he lives there and will surely be seen as the favorite. I would like it to be in a neutral place, just to make things even. The money is another factor, as I’m sure financially it would be better to do it in the US. LA would be great, and although I live here, Marquez is very popular here also, as I expected the crowd to be on my side when we fought the first time at the Home Depot Center, but the crowd seemed to back him more than me. Still, I think LA would be a great place for it to happen.’’

LA, Mexico City, or Las Vegas, whatever is the case, that one is worth the trip for any true boxing fan who wants to see two of the best in the world tangle again. And for Israel Vazquez another win over Marquez moves him one step closer to the pantheon of Mexican greats in whose footsteps he is courageously following.