- Mexican boxer Israel Vazquez was diagnosed with cancer in November this year
- WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman led the tributes to the three-time champion
- Vazquez held the IBF, WBC and The Ring titles during his impressive career
Tributes are pouring in for boxing star Israel Vazquez, who has tragically died aged 46 after a battle with cancer.
Vazquez, a three-time world super bantamweight champion, held the IBF title from 2004 to 2005.
He had also held the WBC and The Ring titles between 2005 and 2008, having amassed a fight record of 44-5-0 during his impressive career, which included 32 knockouts.
He is best known for his series of fights against compatriot Rafael Marquez, with Vazquez, also known as ‘Magnifico’, retiring from the sport in May 2010, after his fourth and final fight against Marquez.
In November it was announced that Vazquez, born in Mexico City, had been heartbreakingly diagnosed with cancer.
On Tuesday, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the sad news that Vazquez had tragically passed away.
Three-time world champion Israel Vazquez has tragically passed away at the age of 46 after a battle with cancer
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the news on X, writing: ‘Thank you Israel for so many great memories you have given us’
Sulaiman posted a photo of himself posing with Vazquez on X after the boxer won his WBC title, captioning it: “Thank you Israel for so many great memories you have given us through your actions inside the ring, but especially outside of it.
“You are eternal now, rest in peace, everything will be fine.”
He also added in a second post: “Israel Vazquez finally rests in peace. May God give strength and support to his wife Laura, their children, family and friends in these difficult times.’
Sulaiman also thanked the Mexican boxer in Spanish before writing: “You will always be great.”
Australian boxer Billy Dib was another to pay tribute to Vazquez. Dib was diagnosed with Non Hodgkin’s Burkitt Lymphoma in 2022 and was declared cancer-free in 2023.
“Heartbreaking to hear about the passing of Israel Vázquez after his courageous battle with cancer,” Dib wrote on X.
‘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. May he rest in peace.’
Vazquez’s professional debut came when he was just 17 years old. He had a hugely successful start to his professional career, stopping his first nine opponents before being defeated by Ulises Flores.
Australian boxer Billy Dib also took to social media to pay tribute to Vazquez following his death
George Kambosos Jr wrote: “RIP legend. It was an honor to meet you, absolute warrior of the game. My condolences to his family and friends’
He bounced back from that loss to continue an eleven-fight winning streak, establishing himself as one of the most promising young stars of the 1990s.
He would win his first title in 2004, defeating Jose Luis Valbuena via technical knockout to win the vacant IBF Super Bantamweight belt.
Australian boxing star George Kambosos Jr has also paid tribute to Vazquez online.
“RIP legend,” he wrote. ‘It was an honor to have met you, absolute warrior of the game. My condolences to his family and friends.’
More to follow…