TICKETS GO ON SALE NEXT TUESDAY, JANUARY 21,
FOR  VAZQUEZ - MARQUEZ III AT THE HOME DEPOT CENTER
ON MARCH 1ST

 

With two thrilling bouts already in the books, the series between super bantamweight superstars Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez has already drawn favorable comparisons to boxing’s great rivalries – Ali vs Frazier, Barrera vs Morales, Zale vs Graziano, and Gatti vs Ward. 

But with the series deadlocked at one fight apiece, the only way to settle the score is with a third meeting, and on Saturday, March 1st, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., boxing’s latest classic trilogy will come to an end when Vazquez puts his WBC and Ring Magazine World super bantamweight titles on the line in a 12 round bout against the man he won it back from, Marquez.

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 Promotions, Inc.  The bout will be televised live on SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING beginning at 9 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast).

Tickets for this sure-to-be-classic battle will go on sale on Tuesday, January 22nd. Priced at $350, $150, $75, $50 and $25 tickets may be purchased at The Home Depot Center Box Office, or by calling 310-630-2020.  Tickets may also be obtained online at www.Ticketmaster.com and charge-by-phone at:  213-480-3232.

“The first two clashes were both ‘fight of the year’ candidates.  If the pattern continues this should be one for the ages” said Gary Shaw…”As a promoter I am proud to present this event, as a fan March 1 cannot come fast enough”.

Sycuan Ringside Promoter, Scott Woodworth, added, “I don’t think there is any question that the third fight will be the best out of all of three.  You can only expect great things for March 1st.  We knew from the first time they faced each other that this would turn into an unforgettable trilogy.  The first fight was phenomenal and the second bout was even better.  Sycuan can’t wait for the third one. Not only are super bantamweight bragging rights on the line, but the winner will also become the next Mexican fan-favorite boxer.”  Continued Woodworth, “Marquez-Vazquez II won round of the year and fight of the year honors for a reason; it was non-stop action and everybody loved it.  We expect the same thrilling atmosphere when Israel defends his WBC and Ring Magazine122-pound title.”

"Vazquez vs. Marquez III is one of the most anticipated fights in years and based on the first two fights, March 1st  should be a night for fight fans to remember," said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.

One of boxing’s best unknown fighters for many years, Mexico City’s Israel Vazquez (42-4, 31 KOs) finally broke onto the world scene in 2002 with his memorable rematch loss to Oscar Larios (whom he had previously stopped in a single round).  Two years later and undeterred by the setback, Vazquez worked his way back into the title picture and won the super bantamweight championship with a 12th round stoppage of Jose Luis Valbuena in March of 2004. Vazquez then went on to dominate the division, knocking out Larios in three rounds in their 2005 rubber match along the way.  In March of 2007, Vazquez finally met his match in Rafael Marquez and lost his crown in seven rounds.  But you can’t keep a champion down for long, and five months later he had regained the belt from Marquez, and on March 1st, he plans on yet another victory over his rival.

The premier bantamweight of this era, Rafael Marquez (37-4, 33 KOs) ruled over the 118-pound weight class with an iron fist from 2003 to 2006, making seven title defenses and defeating the likes of Tim Austin, Silence Mabuza, and Mauricio Pastrana.  In 2007, the 32-year old decided to test the waters at 122 pounds, and he stunned the world with his seventh round stoppage of Israel Vazquez in their first bout in March of last year.  Eagerly accepting a rematch, Marquez and Vazquez waged war a second time in August, and this time it was Vazquez who emerged victorious via a sixth round stoppage.  On March 1st, they will fight once more.

About The Home Depot Center

The Home Depot Center is southern California’s home of world-class competition and training facilities for amateur, Olympic, collegiate and professional athletes.  The $150 million, privately financed facility was developed and is operated by AEG on a 125-acre site on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) in Carson, California.  The Home Depot Center features an 8,000-seat tennis stadium, a 27,000-seat stadium for soccer, rugby and other athletic competitions and outdoor concerts, a 10,000-seat facility for track & field and lacrosse, the ADT Event Center (a 2,450-seat indoor velodrome for cycling) and other facilities for softball, baseball, beach volleyball, basketball and other sports. The Home Depot Center is home to three professional sports teams – Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA, and Major League Lacrosse’s (MLL) Los Angeles Riptide.  Named an Official U.S. Olympic Training Site, The Home Depot Center is also home of the United States Tennis Association’s (USTA) High Performance Training Center and is the national team training headquarters for the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF).  The David Beckham Academy for youth soccer, Andre Agassi’s Safe Passage All-Stars at-risk youth tennis program and Athletes’ Performance’s training center for elite and professional athletes are all based at The Home Depot Center.  The Home Depot Center has additionally been designated official training sites for USA Cycling and USA Track & Field.  For more information, please visit www.homedepotcenter.com.