Israel Vasquez Gets Boxing Writers Of America Award

Three-time world champion Israel Vazquez will jet to New York City this week where he will be honored on Friday night, June 12th, by the Boxing Writers Association of America for his role in the ‘2008 Fight of the Year' at their annual awards dinner.

The honor is being bestowed on Vazquez and former world champion Rafael Marquez for their epic third bout last year.

The third Vazquez vs. Marquez fight, which took place on March 1st, culminated an outstanding trilogy thought by many to be amongst the best in the history of boxing.

Vazquez won the rubber match third bout with a breathtaking display of courage and valor in the unforgettable twelfth round, scoring a knock down of Vazquez in the closing seconds of the fight at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

The knockdown of Marquez in the twelfth round proved to be the deciding factor with Vazquez winning the outstanding “back and forth” battle by split decision.

Said Vazquez, “I’m very excited to be heading to New York City for this most prestigious honor. It will be nice to see the other winners at the awards dinner and my many friends in the boxing community.”

Last month Vazquez announced that after surgery to repair a detached retina, he now has been medically cleared to resume training and is looking towards a highly anticipated return to the ring this fall.

Vazquez, 43-4 (31KO’s) is currently ranked Pound for Pound #5 by Ring Magazine and #10 by ESPN.