Boxing Preview: Israel Vasquez – Rafael Marquez
By Richard Eberline March 3rd, 2007 All Boxing PreviewsOne of the most anticipated slugfests of the year takes place tonight on a Showtime card from the Home Depot Center in Carson, California when IBF/IBO Bantamweight Champion Rafael Marquez, 36-3 (32), makes a long rumored step up in weight to challenge reigning WBC Super Bantam Champion Israel Vasquez, 41-3 (30). The undercard also features what should be a good all action fight, IBF/IBO Flyweight Champion Vic Darchinyan, 27-0 (21), vs. ex-IBF Light Flyweight Champion Victor Burgos.
In the main event, it's anyone's guess as to how long the bout will last as both Marquez and Vasquez carry dynamite in their gloves and have racked up impressive KO percentages over the last five years.
Vasquez is coming off an impressive trio of victories over the likes of Jhonny Gonzalez, Ivan Hernandez and Oscar Larios and has fought in six consecutive world title bouts. Marquez is coming off two straight wins over Silence Mabuzza and has fought in eight consecutive world title bouts.
It will be interesting to see if Marquez can bring his tremendous punching power up in weight to super bantam or if the bigger Vasquez will just have too much youth and size for the Mexico City native.
