NEW YORK (Jan. 26, 2007) – SHOWTIME continues to live up to its billing as America’s No. 1 Boxing Network as it delivers yet another compelling match-up on Saturday, March, 3, 2007. In one of the most highly anticipated fights in years, Israel Vazquez will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title against International Boxing Federation (IBF) Bantamweight Champion Rafael Marquez in the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT delayed on the west coast)..
The showdown between two of boxing’s most exceptionally talented and exciting warriors will be promoted by Gary Shaw Productions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions. A venue for the bout is yet to be determined.
Both Vazquez and Marquez, who are fixtures on many experts’ pound-for-pound lists, hail from Mexico City and are legitimate, hard-punching, world champions who make for crowd-pleasing, exhilarating scraps. Since they burst on to the world scene, each capturing world titles, fans have been clamoring for this match-up. Now, fight fans around the world have the dream match-up they have been waiting for.
“The best bantamweight in the world against the best junior featherweight, both of whom have very pleasing offensive styles — and have come off the canvas to win bouts,” says MaxBoxing.com. “It does not get any better than that.”
ESPN.com wrote: “We are going to get exactly what we have been asking for — to see Marquez move up to junior featherweight for a career-defining fight against champion Israel Vazquez.”
Vazquez, 29, is 41-3 with 31 knockouts. A two-time world champion at 122 pounds, he will make the third defense of the WBC title he captured by scoring a third-round TKO over Oscar Larios on Dec. 3, 2005, in Las Vegas. Overall, Vazquez has won nine consecutive bouts, including seven inside of the distance.
In one of 2006’s greatest fights, Vazquez overcame two knockdowns to retain the title in his last start with a devastating 10th-round TKO over Jhonny Gonzalez on Sept. 16 in Las Vegas.
Managed by Frank Espinoza, Vazquez is promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy.
Marquez, 31, has been victorious in 15 straight bouts, including 12 by knockout. The tough, dangerous counter-puncher and brother of Juan Manuel Marquez will make his long-desired step up in weight after successfully defending his IBF 118-pound crown seven times.
Regarded as one of the world’s best fighters, Marquez also is the International Boxing Organization (IBO) bantamweight titleholder. He is coming off of two scintillating TKOs over top contender Silence Mabuza on SHOWTIME.
Marquez, who stopped long-time titleholder Tim Austin to capture the IBF belt on Feb. 15, 2003, in Las Vegas, is managed and trained by Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain and promoted by Gary Shaw Productions.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Bernstein will call the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast will be David Dinkins Jr. with Bob Dunphy directing.
For information on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING and “ShoBox: The New Generation” telecasts, including complete fighter bios and records, related stories and more, please go the SHOWTIME website at www.sho.com/boxing.
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
In March 1986, SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING was born when “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler defeated John “The Beast” Mugabi in a spectacular and unforgettable 11th-round knockout in Las Vegas. Since that time, the network has aired some of the most historic and significant events in the sport including both Evander Holyfield-Mike Tyson bouts.
Always at the forefront of boxing, SHOWTIME has set itself apart by televising “great fights, no rights” on the first Saturday of every month. SHOWTIME is the first network to regularly deliver live boxing in High Definition. In addition, SHOWTIME continues to be a pioneer in sports television with a number of interactive features across multiple platforms making SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING telecasts the most enjoyable, immersive viewing experience for the boxing audience.