Vasquez vs Marquez: Third Time's Another Charm
By Chris Murillo
Walking along the lovely riverbanks of the Schuylkill here in Philly about a year ago, I came upon a genie's lantern washed ashore. The fellow popped out and gave me the usual three wish shpiel, so I asked to be hung well, to find true love, and for another classic boxing trilogy to materialize within the coming years. The genie said very well, and snapped his fingers...
After cutting the noose from around my neck and finishing a conversation with a happily married couple, I wondered if the third wish would materialize as disappointingly. Then a few days later on March 3, Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez met for what would be the first of a three fight series, set to culminate Saturday night at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California in what is almost certain to be a candidate for fight of the year.
Rafael Marquez has the power to end a fight on a single punch, the boxing acumen to school an opponent over 12 rounds, and the heart to slug it out if necessary. But his Achilles' heel has always been a less than stellar chin. After besting his opponent approximately one year ago in a 7th round TKO victory due to injury, Marquez rematched Vasquez in August in the consensus fight of the year and was knocked out by his determined foe via a hellish assault in the 6th.
As for Vasquez, the first fight having been cut short by an inability to breathe properly, he was able to dictate the pace of the fight the 2nd time around free of injury and against a Marquez who was slugging more than perhaps was wise for the Mexico City native. Israel matched Rafael blow for blow and came out on top thanks to a stronger ability to absorb punishment and his unerring determination. So how will the third match materialize?
It says here that Marquez does not want to fall into the same trap as he did in their rematch, and will look to stick and move from the outside while throwing the occasional bombs to keep Vasquez decent. As for the latter, look for Israel to continue his gameplan of forcing his way inside and touching the fragile-chinned Marquez on route to a slugfest he is perhaps better equipped for. Eventually bombs will be traded, and it will be a sight to behold as these two men demonstrate an almost ethereal fusion of boxing ability with the passion and excitement of gladiators in the arena.
Saturday night is likely to cap off a trilogy for the ages with another demonstration of prizefighting at its purest and most ruthlessly beautiful. The genie delivered on this one...don't miss it.
Previous Articles By Chris Murrilo
Vasquez - Marquez : Third Times Another Charm
Mayweather - Hatton on the Level