Photos by Tom Casino/SHOWTIME: Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez produced two of the most exciting, bloody, give-and-take slugfests of 2007 which inevitably has led to one of the most highly anticipated rubber matches in history. Now they battle for the World Boxing Council (WBC) 122-pound title and super bantamweight supremacy in the third and final chapter of boxing’s best rivalry in recent memory in Vazquez-Marquez III “Final Confrontation,” Saturday, March 1, 2008 from The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.
SHOWTIME, the network that delivered the first two bouts, will re-air Marquez-Vazquez 1 & 2 in their entirety on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 11 p.m. ET/PT.. The one hour telecast includes all the action, drama and the surprising ending of the first fight and moves quickly to the scintillating rematch – the near unanimous pick for 2007 Fight of the Year (Ring Magazine, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, etc). Marquez-Vazquez I & II also will air on SHO 2 on Friday, Feb. 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT and Friday, Feb. 29 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.
Vazquez – Marquez III, which headlines an exciting night of world-class boxing action, is presented by Gary Shaw Promotions in association with Sycuan Ringside Promotions, Golden Boy Promotions and Romanza Boxing Productions. Tickets for this sure-to-be-classic battle are on sale. Tickets are priced at $300, $150, $75, $50 and $25 and may be purchased at The Home Depot Center Box Office, open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, at all Ticketmaster retail ticket locations, as well as www.Ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster-Charge-by-Phone, by calling 213-480-3232.
The showdown will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).
Here is what both fighters had to say at the kick-off press conference at El Paseo Inn Restaurant on historic Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles.
ISRAEL VAZQUEZ:
“If everyone thought the first two fights were amazing, they’re in for an unforgettable performance on March 1st. When Marquez and I get together, boxing magic happens.
“Marquez and I have proven that we’re warriors and we don’t back down or take a step back. We love to fight, we live to fight.
“Our styles are the main reason why these fights are so amazing and crowd-pleasing. That’s why they’re so exciting. You can expect the same on March 1st.
“I want everyone to know that I’m very grateful for this opportunity. I want everyone to come to the Home Depot Center to support us. It’s going to be an unforgettable fight, one for the ages.
“Our rivalry is great and one-of-a-kind. Outside of the ring, we’re friends, but this is a sport, this is my life. Once the opening bell rings, our friendship is set aside for the moment because we both want to win.
“My trainer, Rudy Perez, is the missing piece for me. I never thought to change trainers before, but now I know why I did it. Rudy has been great.
“I think I’ve been fighting much better than I’ve ever had. I feel like I’m 20-years-old again.
“Marquez may change his style for this fight because I know he is a smart boxer. He will be as prepared as I am.
“Both fights were different. I’m stilling learning from both. You’ll see my best on March 1st.”
RAFAEL MARQUEZ:
“I’m going to give the fans what they want to see. I’m sure Vazquez is bringing his best and so will I. This is a fight that everyone will remember for many years.
“Vazquez is a strong puncher. He knows how to set up his power punches. We’re going to work on some things that will limit his ability to throw heavy punches.
“I think I miscalculated Vazquez’s style in the second fight. There were some mistakes that got me in trouble. I’ll make the proper adjustments in the third fight.
“We’re not going to overhaul my style, we’re just going to tweak it a little bit. Remember, I won the first fight so I know how to beat Vazquez.
“Vazquez hits extremely hard. It’s tough to gauge his power from round-to-round because he never seems to get tired which allows him to throw heavy punches whenever he wants.
“I think the second fight was stopped too early. I’ve said this from the beginning. We were both exchanging heavy punches. We were both taking a lot of punishment. I was surprised when the ref stopped it.
“The first two fights were instant classics and I’m sure the third one will receive the same respect.”