02.03.07 – photo by Tom Casino – Israel “El Magnifico” Vazquez (left) and Rafael Marquez square off following Thursday’s press conference in Hollywood, Calif., then are “separated” by Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan during a light-hearted moment shortly thereafter.
Vazquez, Marquez and Darchinyan will be featured on Saturday’s tremendous SHOWTIME boxing fight card at the Home Depot in Carson, Calif.
Tickets for the live event, priced at $25, $50, $75, $100, $150 and $200, are on sale at TicketMaster outlets and on-line at TicketMaster.com. They also may be purchased at The Home Depot Center box office from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Friday, March 2, and on Fight Day starting at 10 a.m.
In a fight fan’s dream match-up and the main event on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING (9 p.m. ET/PT, delayed on the west coast), Vazquez, who is promoted by Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, will defend his WBC/The Ring magazine super bantamweight titles against IBF/IBO bantamweight champion Marquez, who is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions LLC and Romanza Productions. In the SHOWTIME co-feature, GSP’s Darchinyan defends against former IBF champion and current top-ranked contender Victor Burgos.
The live program will begin with preliminaries at 4 p.m. Doors open at 3:30. Darchinyan-Burgos will go at 6 o’clock, followed by Vazquez-Marquez. The event is promoted by Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, and Romanza Productions, and Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy.
ISRAEL VAZQUEZ
“Some people have been asking whether both of us will back up our words March 3. I know I am coming to fight. I didn’t sign for this fight to dance in the ring. We’ve been saying this from the start: the real winners will be the fans. They’re going to be treated to an exciting, excellent fight.
“I’m not worried about polls or public opinion. I’ve been motivated for this since day one. I don’t need any extra motivation. I am physically and mentally ready. We are going to give the fans what they want. Marquez and I want to live up to the hype of this being the Fight of the Year.
“This is probably the most challenging fight of my career. Marquez will be the most dangerous fighter I’ve faced. That is what makes the fight so intriguing. I would think both of us will feel each other out the first few rounds, but after that I think we’re both going to go after one another.
“They say the best offense is a good defense so we really concentrated in training on getting prepared defensively. I trained extremely hard for this fight, but more importantly, I trained for a knockout. I’ve said this all along: I’m looking to knock him out in the seventh.
“My training under Justin Fortune was just as intense as my training with Freddie Roach. I trust Justin, I always have and I know I am in good hands. Everything that we have been working on in the gym is going to pay off on Saturday.
“I don’t know who the fans are going to root for because we are both Mexican fighters. I don’t know who is going to get more cheers and who will get more boos.”
RAFAEL MARQUEZ
“This fight has been a long time coming and I am happy that it is finally here. I respect Vasquez. I know he is very determined. He has been a great champion, but I am going to take his belt away on Saturday, March 3.
“I feel totally prepared and very strong. I know this will not be easy. But that is one of the reasons why this is such a great fight for the fans and for the sport of boxing. I want to thank SHOWTIME and everyone involved for making it happen.
“I really can’t wait for Saturday to get here. I am sure Vazquez feels the same way. Whatever he brings, I will be ready for.
“This is going to be a tremendous fight. I am very confident I will win.’’
VIC DARCHINYAN
“People need to understand that I want to win all my fights by knockout. Knockouts are what draw attention to the boxers in the lighter weight classes like me.
“I am not satisfied winning by anything other than knockout. That is why I want the result from my last fight changed. It should be a knockout victory for me, not a (technical) decision.
“I believe I have as much power as any boxer pound for pound in the world – maybe more. No one can withstand it. I am not chasing birds in the ring. I have birds. No one can stay with me for 12 rounds.
“I only want to fight the very best champions – the guys that will bring out the best in me. I want to move up in weight. Let’s see how the bigger guys do when they taste my power for the first time.
“It is an honor for me to be on this card and to be on SHOWTIME again. I am looking forward to putting on a great show that you will not forget.’’