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Rafa goes for Second Title in Super Fight on Saturday night
Photo and Aricle by German Villasenor (Feb 27, 2007)

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Super Fight – it’s a title that gets thrown around a lot, with many fights failing to deliver. But on Saturday night, in what should be a barnburner that lives up to the billing, IBF bantamweight kingpin Rafael Marquez goes up in weight to fight fellow Mexico City resident and reigning super bantamweight champion Israel ''El ''Magnifico'' Vazquez in the Showtime main event at the Home Depot in Carson, California.

Marquez (36-3, 32 KOs), who has gone undefeated for the past six plus years and who is considered by experts to be one of the hardest punchers in any division, finally takes the next step, moving up in weight after reigning as the bantamweight to beat for the last five years. During his time at 118 pounds, Marquez bested Mark Johnson twice, stopped then undefeated Tim Austin for the title two fights later, and defended his title seven times against Ricardo Vargas, Heriberto Ruiz, Mauricio Pastrana (twice) Peter Frissina and Silence Mabuza (twice).

And when he steps up, it’s to challenge for a title, not against a belt holder, but THE super bantamweight champion in Vazquez (41-3, 30 KOs) with the WBC and The Ring magazine title at stake.

Marquez, who along with brother Juan Manuel Marquez, performed many times in Los Angeles at the Great Western Forum early in his career, with appearances peppered in Anaheim and the Staples Center over the years, feels right at home in California.

How does he feel to be back in L.A.?

''Well, the LA people have always received us very well, since I always give everyone my all inside the ring.'' commented Marquez, adding he is happy to be back in California in front of his fans, ready to give them a show. ''It will be a very good fight.''

Marquez has his hands full in Vazquez, who has risen to the top of the 122-pound division, winning his the IBF title back in 2004 and adding the WBC version a year later.
He has defended successfully five times, with a stirring KO win over dangerous Jhonny Gonzalez in his last outing, a fight which gave him much acclaim by boxing experts and fans alike.

Knowing the task at hand, what does Marquez know about his opponent and what flaws does he see?

''I saw the last fight of him against Gonzalez. He is strong, goes forward, but he does get hit a lot.''

Gonzalez had early success against Vazquez fighting from the outside, although the stronger and naturally bigger Vazquez finally got him to bang, managing to score the stoppage late in the fight. One would think the technically well schooled puncher would use his reach advantage and score from the outside, but not Marquez, who is not afraid to exchange on the inside.

''I will go forward with everything.'' said Marquez when asked about his fight plan, choosing to keep it brief, and not give too much away as to the attack plan.

The IBF champion, who is Vazquez's senior by two years, thinks he can make an impact at super bantam, with a jump to the division long overdue.

''I feel very good, and I can fight anyone at 122. I had been having a lot of problems making the 118-pound limit and couldn't do it any more. My plan is to stay in the division, but I'm only focused on Vazquez at the moment.''

As for training camp, Marquez said, “I'm sparring with style against fast, strong sparring partners. I will fight my fight and box with intelligence. I have been training and sparring in Mexico City, running in the Toluca Sierra.''

When questioned further regarding his camp for this fight, Rafael’s brother Juan Manuel chipped his two cents in regarding how to fight Vazquez.

''My brother tells me to work with intelligence,'' said Rafael.

Marquez, who at one time was called a ''Brute diamond, but more Brute than diamond,'' by longtime trainer Ignacio ''Nacho'' Beristain, has worked hard at boxing with intelligence.

''I think I have progressed a lot since then. I can box, put my punches together.''

And that he has, having been thrown to the wolves from the onset of his career, and amazingly going eight rounds before being stopped in his very first fight against former WBC Bantamweight champion Victor Rabanales, who was 39-14-2, 22 KOs at the time.
The other two losses came against Francisco Mateos in his thirteenth fight and his last defeat was to Genaro ''Poblanito'' Garcia in 2000 - all by stoppage.

Those losses had skeptics saying Marquez could not take a punch on the chin, something Marquez says is just not true, specially regarding the Garcia fight, which is the one most boxing observers have seen.

''I was never hit on the chin in that fight; I was hit atop the head behind the ear, and went down because my balance went. I made the mistake of listening only to my corner with Nacho telling me to stay down (and to get up at the count of nine) and not paying attention to the actual count by the referee and was officially counted out, but as everyone knows I was winning that fight up to that point.''

So does it bother him hearing about his lack of resistance against chin shots?

''It doesn't bother me at all, I have been hit much harder, flush on the chin and didn't go anywhere, such as some punches that (Tim) Austin landed on me.''

And one would think he would feel pressure going into this, arguably his hardest fight to date, but he’s calm before the storm.

''Actually, my biggest fight was against Austin , who was a great fighter, nine years undefeated and the champion. He was, along with Mark Johnson, the hardest hitters I have faced thus far.''

After splitting up with long time promoter Top Rank, Marquez signed on with Gary Shaw, whom he feels at home with.

''I feel very good with Shaw, he is always there whenever I need him, and he’s attentive.''

Juan Manuel Marquez was also being courted by Shaw, but ultimately decided to sign with Golden Boy Promotions, something which the younger Marquez opined on.

'''Juan Manuel had his reasons, he felt good going with Golden Boy and I respect his decision.''

So back to Saturday night. A win in a Showtime main event against Vazquez would warrant the big paydays against the bigger names in maybe a division or two higher.

Would that make him overlook Vazquez, and will he go for a KO to make a statement?

''No, Vazquez is the only thing on my mind; if the KO comes it will. We will do a very good fight, aiming to please the audience, but of course looking to get the win.''

''I will give everyone a spectacle, and I will bring the title back to Mexico City.''