Vazquez Stops Marquez in Thriller!
In the rematch, both fighters stood toe-to-toe and traded heavy shots from the opening bell. Marquez was nearly knocked down in round three but came back strong later in the same round. Soon thereafter, Vazquez was bleeding from deep cuts over each eye and Marquez was cut under his right eye.
To the delight of fight fans, both men favored offense over defense and tried to impose their will on the other. Marquez displayed slightly quicker hands while Vazquez relied on a slight edge in power. In the end, power was the difference as Vazquez dropped Marquez with a big left hook early in round six. Marquez easily beat the count but continued to absorb punishment. Despite unsteady legs, Marquez was throwing punches and seemed capable of continuing when referee Guadalupe Garcia jumped in to stop the fight at 1:16 of the sixth.
Neither Marquez nor his corner protested the stoppage initially. However, in the post-fight interview shortly thereafter, Marquez complained that the stoppage was premature. He appeared on his way to getting knocked out but he does have a case.
Good news for fight fans: Both Vazquez and Marquez said they're ready for a third and deciding fight.
Elsewhere: WBC lightweight champ David Diaz (33-1-1) retained his title with a narrow but unanimous decision over former champ Erik Morales (48-6). Morales scored the fight's only knock down, dropping Diaz with a right in round one. In the end, however, all three judges gave the dge to Diaz by scores of 114-113, 115-112 and 115-113. After the fight, the 30-year old Morales said he believes this was his final fight. Morales is a future Hall of Famer and has nothing left to prove. Nevertheless, even after four straight losses, it remains to be seen whether he can stay retired.
Comments
I usually don’t like fights being called early but it was clear that Marquez was about to get knocked out. He may have thrown a punch(with little strength left to put behind it) but after throwing it he wobbled and looked dazed (that was after the slip). Al Bernstein is ridiculous and I get tired of hearing his gay voice. Showtime needs better commentators. His opinion is what help fuel the controversy. Anyways the trilogy should be interesting. It was a great fight.
Vazquez-Marquez has got to be among the leading candidates for Fight of the Year. To my view, Vazquez fought with a ferocity that reminded me of the first two Gatti-Ward classics. He was smaller, supposed to be more beaten up, was the underdog, and he never let anything stop him. His will to win dominated. It was not an early stoppage. Marquez was out on his feet and the ref was right to make sure he did not suffer more unnecessary damage. Overall, this was a great and perhaps classic fight.
hell no the stop was early yes marquez was hurt but he wasn’t hurt that bad i thought it was a stupid to stop the fight wanted to see more well can’t wait for the rematch
anytime a boxer is wobbling on his feet then he is hurt bad… his punchs had no steam on them he was had… probably about a 90% chance he would have been knocked out cold.. also marquez was coming up in weight in their first fight so vasquez has fought at the higher weight longer i am not sure who had reach advantage but Vasquez is more used to being the bigger man. The third should be great
YEs.. it’s an early stoppage.. Never count him out if he is still throwing punches.. 1 lucky punch can change the outcome of the fight