Israel Vázquez, a famous boxer from Mexico who won three world titles, has sadly died at 46.
Israel Vázquez, a boxing hero, has passed away
The president of the World Boxing Council, Mauricio Sulaiman, told everyone the sad news on Tuesday.
People called him “El Magnifico” because he was so amazing. On November 10, Israel said he was fighting sarcoma, a kind of cancer.
He was a true champion, and his bravery will always be remembered.
“Israel is finally resting in peace. May God provide his family with strength we extend all the support to his wife Laura, his kids, family and friends during this difficult time,” Sulaiman said on X. “Thanks champion for leaving a special footprint. You will always be ‘El Magnifico.’”
Thank you Israel for the so many great memories that you have given us through your actions inside the ring but most importantly outside of it. You are now eternal , rest in peace, everything will be all right. pic.twitter.com/Aa91vKT6cP
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) December 3, 2024
Israel Vázquez started his boxing journey in 1995 and became famous for his incredible fights. From 2007 to 2010, he had four unforgettable matches with another Mexican boxer, Rafael Márquez.
They each won two fights, making it a tie, but the battles were so exciting that the 2007 and 2008 fights were named “Fight of the Year.”
In 2008, after a big win, Israel hurt his eye really badly. Later, he lost sight in his right eye after retiring from boxing.
His last fight was in May 2010, where Rafael Márquez won by knockout.
In 2004, Israel Vázquez won a big shiny belt called the IBF super bantamweight title by beating Jose Luis Valbuena. He didn’t stop there and kept his title by winning two more times.
Then in 2005, Israel won another belt from Oscar Larios, the WBC title, by making Oscar stop fighting in the third round.
Israel Vázquez kept the WBC belt until he fought Rafael Márquez for the first time. In that fight, he had to stop in the seventh round because his nose was broken, and he couldn’t breathe.
But Israel didn’t give up! Five months later, they fought again, and even though his face was hurt with cuts over both eyes, Israel knocked Márquez out in the sixth round and got his title back.
In their third fight in 2008, Israel won by a close decision, even though he got knocked down during the fight! But his eye hurt too much, so he couldn’t fight for the rest of the year, and he lost his WBC title.
After three surgeries to fix his eye, Israel was ready to fight again. He faced Márquez for the fourth time in Los Angeles, but this time, he lost by knockout in the third round.
Israel finished his career with 44 wins and 5 losses, including 32 knockouts. He showed everyone how brave and strong he was in every fight.
Israel Vázquez’s Family and Friends Remember Him
Israel Vázquez leaves behind his wife Laura, their sons Israel Jr. and Anthony, his daughter Zoe, and his parents and sister. He had been fighting cancer, and the news was shared in early November on a GoFundMe page.
“Israel, my friend, may you rest in peace now,” former trainer Freddie Roach shared on social media. “My condolences to the Vázquez family and to all those who called Israel their friend.”
Forever a world champion and legend in boxing. One of the best boxers I ever had the privilege of working with – a world champion. Israel, may you rest in peace now. Condolences to the Vázquez family and to all those who called Israel their friend. #Magnifico @WildCardBoxing1 pic.twitter.com/8uclWtUrXG
— Freddie Roach (@FreddieRoach) December 3, 2024
