15.02.07 -Photos: Joe Miranda/SHOWTIME: 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, LLC, Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions.
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..
ISRAEL VAZQUEZ (WBC super bantamweight champion, 41-3, 31 KOs)
“I will die if that’s what it takes to win the fight. The only winner, besides me, in this fight will be the fans.”
“I am going for the knockout in seven rounds.”
“Marquez and I don’t want to face each other, but we have to because we are the best. I expect him to come at me with everything and try to knock me out.”
“Marquez is bigger than me, so I will need to neutralize his left hand and the jab.”
“Fortunately, this fight is coming at a great time for me psychologically. I am ready for Marquez.”
“I am focused on this fight. If everything goes well, I may move up in weight. I want to leave my mark on boxing.”
“This is going to be the fight of the year.”
RAFAEL MARQUEZ (IBF bantamweight champion, 36-3, 32 KOs)
“I will give my life if necessary to win this fight. It’s going to be a war.”
“This is going to be a great fight for the city of Los Angeles, the people in Mexico and all over the boxing community. It’s a fight that had to happen.”
“I respect Vazquez because of what he has accomplished as a boxer, but once we get in the ring, I have to believe it is going to be an all-out war.”
“Vazquez is the type of fighter that likes to throw a lot of punches. He is always in attack mode. My style is very similar. That is why I think boxing fans everywhere are so excited about this fight. It is going to be a brawl.”
“I feel real good at 122 pounds. I feel much stronger and I’m sure the weight is not going to be an issue once I get inside the ropes. Believe me, I have punching power at this weight.”
“I’m here to fight. I’m not here to dance around and neither is Vazquez. That’s why I think this fight is certainly going to live up to its billing.”
“Fight fans are going to be treated to an excellent fight. You’re going to see two Mexican warriors who don’t back down from anybody. It is not just going to attract regional attention. This fight has been on boxing’s radar since word got out.”
GARY SHAW (promoter)
“I think this is going to be the “fight of the year.” The over-under on who gets knocked down first is two rounds.”
RICHARD SCHAEFER (CEO, Golden Boy Promotions)
“This has “fight of the year” written all over it. Marquez, pound-for-pound, is one of the top-10 fighters in the world. Vazquez is very special to us because he was the first world champion with Golden Boy Promotions and is the 100th Mexican world champion.”
SCOTT WOODWORTH (vice president, Sycuan Ringside Promotions)
“It is always great to be back on SHOWTIME. We all will be praying for a sunny day on March 3. Vazquez was one of Sycuan Ringside Promotions’ first world champions and reminds me of Carlos Baldomir. Vazquez’ mindset is that he wants to prove he is the best and is willing to take on any fighter.”