Israel Vázquez, the renowned Mexican boxer who held three bantamweight world titles, has passed away at the age of 46. The sad news was confirmed by Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the World Boxing Council, on Tuesday.
Known by his ring moniker 'El Magnifico,' Vázquez had disclosed his battle with sarcoma, a form of cancer, on November 10. Sulaiman expressed his condolences and support for Vázquez's family, acknowledging the fighter's significant impact on the sport.
Vázquez began his professional boxing career in 1995 and is best remembered for his epic four-fight series against fellow Mexican boxer Rafael Márquez from 2007 to 2010. The intense rivalry culminated in two of their bouts being awarded Fight of the Year honors in 2007 and 2008.
Following his victory in 2008, Vázquez faced a career-threatening injury when he suffered a detached retina, leading to the loss of his right eye post-retirement. Despite this setback, he continued to compete until May 2010, when he faced Márquez for the fourth and final time, resulting in a knockout loss.
Throughout his career, Vázquez achieved significant milestones, including winning the IBF super bantamweight title in 2004 by defeating Jose Luis Valbuena and successfully defending it twice. He later claimed the WBC belt from Oscar Larios in 2005 with a third-round stoppage.
Despite facing challenges such as a broken nose and eye injuries, Vázquez displayed remarkable resilience. In his encounters with Márquez, he showcased his fighting spirit by securing victories, including a memorable sixth-round knockout in their rematch.
However, Vázquez's career was marred by health issues, particularly the eye injury that forced him to undergo multiple surgeries. Despite being cleared to fight again, his final bout against Márquez in Los Angeles ended in a third-round knockout loss.
Israel Vázquez leaves behind a lasting legacy in the boxing world, with a record of 44 wins, 5 losses, and 32 knockouts. His contributions to the sport and his unforgettable battles in the ring will be remembered by fans and fellow boxers alike.
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