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CARSON, Calif. (March 4, 2007) – Photo by Tom Casino / Showtime – After breaking his opponent’s nose in the first round of an electrifying bout, IBF Bantamweight Champion Rafael Marquez captured the World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title by stopping defending champion Israel Vazquez at the end of the seventh round Saturday on Showtime championship boxing.
Vazquez asked his trainer, Freddie Roach, to stop the contest because he was having trouble breathing.
“I was able to breathe through my mouth, but I couldn’t get any air through my nose,” Vazquez said. “I couldn’t breathe. I was taking a lot of shots because of that.” ..
After rallying from a third-round knockdown, Marquez went toe-to-toe with Vazquez for the remainder of the non-stop action bout that lived up to its billing. At the time of the stoppage, Marquez led the battle of Mexico City, Mexico, natives 67-65 twice and 66 apiece on the scorecards. Discussions for a sequel to the “Fight of the Year” candidate already are underway.
SHOWTIME televised both world championship bouts at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Gary Shaw Productions, LLC, Sycuan Ringside Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions promoted the event.
In the co-feature, Vic Darchinyan retained his International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title for the sixth time with a 12th-round technical knockout over former world champion Victor Burgos. Immediately after the fight, Burgos was taken away in an ambulance.
“Burgos wasn’t completely unconscious, but he was going in and out of consciousness,” said ringside physician Dr. Paul Wallace. “He took a lot of heavy punches, so we sent him to Harbor UCLA Hospital.”
Marquez (37-3, 33 KOs), has won 16 straight bouts, including 13 by knockout. The tough, dangerous counter-puncher and brother of Juan Manuel Marquez has successfully defended his IBF 118-pound crown seven times. Marquez, who scored scintillating TKOs over top contender Silence Mabuza on SHOWTIME in his last two fights, stopped long-time titleholder Tim Austin to capture the IBF belt on Feb. 15, 2003, in Las Vegas.
“I proved I am the best champion,” Marquez said. “Vazquez hit me so hard. He is a great champion. He deserves a rematch.”
Vazquez (41-4, 31 KOs) floored Marquez in the third round with a punishing left uppercut, but saw his nine-bout winning streak come to an end when the challenger rallied. A two-time world champion at 122 pounds, Vazquez captured the WBC super bantamweight title by scoring a third-round TKO over Oscar Larios on Dec. 3, 2005, in Las Vegas.
“I stopped the fight,” Roach said. “Vazquez told me after the first round that he broke his nose. He wanted me to stop it a couple of rounds earlier, but I asked him to try and suck it up because I thought that Marquez was getting tired.
“Vazquez gave it everything he had, but then came back and said he could not do it anymore. That is when I stopped the fight. His nose was more important than the fight.”
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.
Darchinyan (28-0, 22 KOs), of Sydney, Australia, retained both his IBF and International Boxing Organization (IBO) titles when referee Jon Schorle stopped the bout at 1:27 of the final round with Burgos up against the ropes. Since the 12th round was scored, Darchinyan led 110-98 twice and 109-99 on the scorecards.
Burgos (39-15-3, 23 KOs), of Puebla, Mexico, rallied from a second-round knockdown to stagger the champion against the ropes in the seventh round. Burgos captured the IBF junior flyweight crown with a 12-round unanimous decision over Alex Sanchez on Feb. 15, 2003, in Las Vegas. In a 108-pound unification match the following Dec. 13, the always willing and hard-trying Burgos boxed a draw with rugged WBC champion Rosendo Alvarez in Atlantic City.
“Mexico should be proud of Victor Burgos,” Darchinyan said. “I think he is a hero. He was very tough. His movements gave me difficulty. He is a good, tough fighter.”
The bout(s) will re-air as follows:
Monday, March 5, at 8 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, March 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT SHOTOO
Wednesday, March 7, at 11 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME
SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING’s Steve Albert and Al Bernstein called the action from ringside with Jim Gray serving as roving reporter and Karyn Bryant serving as special correspondent. The executive producer of the SHOWTIME telecast was 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.