-Photo Credit: Tom Casino/Showtime-

In a return battle between established bantam-super bantam special ones Rafael Marquez and Israel Vasquez, it was no surprise this one would equal the first barn burner.

My question, other than by popular demand, why now - especially with other shareholders of some esteem in (WBA) Caballero, (IBF) Molitor, (WBO) Ponce de Leon waiting in the wings to be had - then, maybe a Marquez-Vazquez return would make better sense - and mucho more dinero.

Whatever, with memories of the first battle for Vazquez’ WBC strap fresh in the mind of fan and media alike, and both gladiators nearing the inevitable count down after a collective 85 kept appointments with 64 by stoppage, the mindset shouted "pronto."  
 
On that note, only the Marquez betting and rooting interest would be disappointed when referee Guadeloupe Garcia, halted the mutual bloodletting at the 1:16 seconds mark of stanza six.

The fight: Opens on similar note to the first one - Marquez the edge on accuracy and Vazquez countering with solid left hooks - then stanza three and a Vazquez left hook early on has the champ in trouble and on shaky legs - still, a game Marquez survives and is back in the hunt come the bell.

Five completed chapters on my unofficial had it a nip-n-tuck Marquez edge of 3-2 in rounds and 48-47 in points - and severe cuts over the Vazquez eyes carried the feel of a Marquez de-ja-vu repeat of the first one - only missing entity was Vazquez not having scored a knockdown.

Then numero six - it’s early in the round and both wearing the marks of battle, Vazquez cut over both eyes and Marquez bleeding below right  - and then like a bolt from the blue Marquez is down courtesy of the power hook - beats the count but in trouble with Vazquez driving his prey to the ropes.

Marquez attempts in vain to return fire, but to no avail - with the legs gone AWOL and little left in the way of fire power, the plug would be pulled by referee Garcia.

Post Scripts: Israel Vazquez (42-4, 32) ~ age 29 - surprisingly, considering the sizzling early exchanges compounded by damaged orbits, the legs showed spring and life that it did. Deserves couple curtain calls - also more than the five month rehab after that first Marquez encounter.
                       Rafael Marquez ( 37-4, 33) ~ age 32 -  would be wrong in assuming this special one has aged overnight - the two brutal battles were the villain in both outings. Vazquez busted beak in the first classic -  the wicked stamina sapping pace in this one saw the Marquez legs eventually abandoning him.

Closing comments: Hold the music maestro … the clowns will suffice. Enter Jimmy "the jerk" Gray a proven failure in the lost art of fight interviewing. Beckons both fighters for the usual self-serving ludicrous questions-answers silliness - then realizes he had outpaced the Spanish speaking interpreter - nice move dummy. Nothing like advertising lack of feel for the job - also, total inconsideration for the fighters, both more in need of suturing than in hyping a tie-breaker for the Network and promoters. The fight stands on its merits alone.
                                   Albert-Bernstein: Ah, yes … Bernstein of "you cannot beat a southpaw unless having the left foot outside his right foot" infamy seems to be taking on the look of that other hysterian Maxie boy of ESPN2 to HBO infamy. Heard Al mention at time of referee Garcia no mas, something about in all his years, rarely criticizing referee stoppages - but saw this one premature. Surprise - sees the replay  and does instant U-turn. Less said about company man Albert the better - clearly not the best of Albert clan.

Post Scripts: Considering the numbers of fights and respective ages of Marquez and Vazquez I think a third encounter could well be career finale for one or both. For Vazquez, the younger of the two, the smart move is going the unify route - a better choice than the already in motion tie-breaker - surely designed for PPV. Ditto Marquez, at age 32, once again healed a challenge to any of the other current shareholders a better selection than Vazquez where nobody really wins other than the networks, promoters, and bettors lucky enough to have the winner.

GEL  -

8-4-2007