Israel Vazquez, Rafael Marquez Have 'Solidified Our Legacy'

They were both born in Mexico City, Mex., a little over three years apart. They share their nation's passion for pugilism, one they've exercised to legendary proportions on each other.

Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez have pounded on each other three times already, covering nearly 25 rounds of nearly non-stop action that has thrilled the audience on every occasion.

"Growing up in Mexico City, it's very tough to make it. I know that both guys, Israel and myself, we tried very, very hard to make it," said Marquez.

"I know that we both wanted to be somebody in life, and that's why we have a lot of things in common between us," said Marquez. "It's a tough city to grow up in with millions of people. Everybody wants to be somebody, and we're very blessed to be where we are."

On Saturday, in a Showtime-televised bout from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the 32-year-old Vazquez will meet 35-year-old Marquez yet again, but for the first time as featherweights (126 pounds).

"With the three fights we've already had, I think Marquez and I have already solidified our legacy. But they asked if we wanted to do it again, so of course, I said sure. Why not? If the fans want this fight, so do I," said Vazquez, who leads the series, 2-1.


"I believe that our rivalry is far and above the best rivalries ever for one reason. Outside the ring, both of us totally respect each other as human beings. And that counts a lot to me," said Vazquez.

"But when it's time to fight, you know we will put forth nothing less than an all-out effort. We've done it three straight times, and I expect the same from both of us on Saturday," said Vazquez. "My mind-set is totally on Saturday, and winning the fight. I'm sure Rafa's is too. Physically, I am 100 percent and ready to go."

Their series began in March of 2007, when Marquez ((38-5, 34 knockouts) scored a seventh-round knockout that dethroned Vazquez (44-4, 32 KOs) as WBC super bantamweight (122 pounds) champion.

But Vazquez won the next two times by sixth-round knockout in August 2007 and split-decision in March 2008, after which both fighters took some time to do some soul-searching about their careers.

"I lost the last round in the last fight basically because my cornermen made a lot of mistakes. Instead of telling me to go out and fight, my instructions were to box and that cost me the fight. That's one of the reasons I brought in a new trainer to work with me," said Marquez, whose new trainer is former world champion, Daniel Zaragoza.

"He is able to give me his full attention, 100 percent of the time. My old cornermen could not. I am very excited and totally prepared to fight Vazquez again. I am very confident that I will tie the score," said Marquez. "But I know I have to fight smart and never relax too much because Vazquez hits so hard. You dismiss him for a second and it could cost you."

Vazquez ended a 19-month ring absence with October's ninth-round knockout of Angel Antonio Priolo, and Marquez, a 14-month layoff with May's third-round knockout of Jose Francisco Mendoza.

On the undercard, Mexican-born, 24-year-old Abner Mares (19-0, 12 KOs), of 31-year-old, of Montebella, Calif., will challenge Colombian-born, IBF bantamweight (118 pounds) champion Yonnhy Perez (20-0, 14 KOs), of Santa Fe Springs, Calif.

"I am as good as I can be and can't wait for Saturday. As each day passes, the excitement inside me builds. This is the first time I have been involved in a fight where there is something going on almost every day, where there is actually a fight week schedule with things for me to do," said Mares (pictured at right).

"It is keeping me busy, but I love it. To be involved in a fight like this, on a great card like this, makes me feel special and it makes me realize even more that I have to treat this like a real fight," said Mares, who has known Perez since their amateur days, when he twice defeated him during three meetings.

"Actually having something to do almost every day is a good thing," said Mares. "With all the continual reminders that I have to do this today, something else tomorrow and so forth, it keeps me focused and it keeps my mind from wandering. It also keeps my mind away from eating, which is perfect because my weight right now is just about perfect."

Perez is coming off of Halloween's 12-round, unanimous decision which dethroned Africa's Joseph Agbeko (27-2, 22 KOs), whom Perez floored in the 10-round.

Agbeko was coming off of July's unanimous decision over Armenian-born southpaw Vic "Raging Bull" Darchinyan of Austrailia, a hard-punching fighter who rose from 115 pounds where he held the WBC, WBA and IBF super flyweight crowns.

Prior to faceing Agbeko, Perez trailed badly in the last round against South African Silence Mbuza, before a hostile crowd in Johannesburg, when he dropped Mbuza once before a follow-up flurry forced referee Kenny Chevalier to stop their bout at 1:06 of the final round.

"I came back to Colombia after my championship [win over Agbeko,] which was in October. I took a couple of months off and stayed with my family in Cartagena. I came back in January and that's when I started preparing for this fight," said Perez.

"I knew back then that I was going to face Abner Mares, so it's been a long term camp for me," said Perez. "I'm going to be more than ready and I can't wait for May 22."