Israel Vázquez, one of Mexico’s most celebrated boxers and three-time world super bantamweight champion, has died at the age of 46.
The Mexico City resident died after being diagnosed with cancer, World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed on Tuesday.
Vázquez, whose aggressive, crowd-pleasing style earned him the nickname Magnifico, was best known for his epic tetralogy with compatriot Rafael Márquez. The two fighters faced each other four times between 2007 and 2010 in what became one of the most brutal and exciting rivalries in boxing.
Their third meeting, staged in Carson, California, in March 2008, was named the Fight of the Year by Ring magazine, with the fourth round being named the Round of the Year. Vázquez showed extraordinary skill, heart and resilience in rallying for a split-decision victory after a fourth-round knockdown.
The bloody four-fight series featured razor-thin margins, brutal exchanges and career-defining moments for both men. Márquez won the first (RTD 7) and fourth (KO 3) encounters, while Vázquez took the second (TKO 6) and third (SD 12).
A series of injuries, including a detached retina, eventually forced him to retire in 2010 with a professional record of 44 wins (32 of them by knockout) and five defeats in 49 fights.
“Thank you champion for leaving such a special mark,” Sulaiman wrote in Spanish. ‘You always will be Beautiful.”
Venerable trainer Freddie Roach called Vázquez “one of the best boxers I have ever had the pleasure of working with” in a statement to BoxingScene.
“RIP legend,” added George Kambosos, the former unified lightweight champion. “It was an honor to meet you, absolute warrior of the game.”
Billy Dib, the former IBF featherweight champion from Australia who overcame his own stomach cancer diagnosis last year, was among the boxing stars to pay tribute.
“Heartbreaking to hear about the passing of Israel Vázquez after his courageous battle with cancer,” says Dib wrote. “He was not only a champion, but also a true warrior, both inside and outside the ring. My sincere condolences go out to his family, friends and all who admired him.”