After starting off as another classic back-and-forth battle, Rafael Marquez was able to even the score against Israel Vazquez, defeating him via 3rd round stoppage and now tieing the series at 2-2. Picking up right where they left off over 2 years ago, the action was non-stop in the first couple of rounds as both fighters looked to leave it all in the ring again. After two cuts opened up over the eyes of Vazquez, Marquez proved to have just a little more left in the tank. Check out all the action in FightHype's round-by-round results.
ROUND 1
Both men circle the ring to feel each other out. Vazquez is stalking Marquez, who lands a good left upper-hook. Vazquez lands a left hook to the body and follows it up with a left hook to the head of Marquez. Marquez pops the jab and eats a right hand from Vazquez. Marquez pushes Vazquez back and lands a hard right hand, followed by a left hook. Vazquez answers with his own left hook and they trade before the bell.
Vazquez 9 Marquez 10
ROUND 2
Vazquez lands a left hook as soon as they meet in the center of the ring. The action in the fight quickly picks up. Marquez lands a right off of a left hook to the body. Vazquez catches Marquez with a short left coming in. Marquez lands a left hook as Vazquez lunges in and throws his left. Vazquez looks to be cut over his left eye already, but he isn't deterred. A good combination from Marquez has Vazquez on wobbly legs at the end of the round. A right hand looked to be the punch that hurt Vazquez the most. Marquez took the round again.
Vazquez 18 Marquez 20
ROUND 3
A clash of heads forces Raul Caiz to check Vazquez's cut. The action returns to the center of the ring as Marquez works behind his jab. Another clash of heads stops the action moentarily. Marquez lands a hard right, then another that forces Vazquez to a knee. Vazquez comes back out and storms right for Marquez. Marquez flurries, landing short lefts and rights. Vazquez can't answer and referee Raul Caiz Jr. steps in and waves off the fight.
The Result
Rafael Marquez TKO 3 Israel Vazquez
Rafael Marquez improves to 39-5 with 35 knockouts, while Vazquez drops to 44-6, with 33 knockouts. The tally now stands at 2 victories each for Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez. The world waits to see if these two gutsy warriors decide to step in the ring for a fifth and final time.