The 10 count for two Champions in 2024 Israel Vazquez and Richie Sandoval

While boxing sadly had to say goodbye to many this year, here are two recognizable names from the modern era who earned the 10-bell count.

Israel Vázquez —Vázquez was particularly famous for his rivalry with Rafael Márquez. The two fighters fought four times between 2007 and 2010, splitting it 2-2. One could fairly label three of the four bouts as classics. Vázquez Castaneda was born on December 25, 1977, in Mexico City, Mexico. In his 15-year career, he logged a 44-5, 32 KO record. He was as vicious in the ring as he was kind and approachable out of it.

Vazquez turned pro in 1995 and ran up an impressive 22-2 record over 24 fights in his first 4 years fighting out of his native Mexico.

Over the next couple of years, he racked up 10 straight wins before being stopped in the final round against Oscar Larios for the WBC (interim) super bantamweight title in May 2002. 

Vasquez scored 3 more wins before capturing his 1st world title in the spring of 2004 securing the IBF world super bantamweight belt. He made 2 defences of the crown before adding the WBC super-bantam title to his trophy case in December 2005. He made 2 defenses of that strap before losing it to Rafael Marquez in the spring of 2007 in the first of 4 bouts with his Mexican rival. 

Between the summer of 2007 and his retirement in 2010, he fought four more times, three of them against Marquez. He won two and lost his final bout against Marquez to even up their series at 2-2.

A serious eye injury forced him into retirement after his last bout in May of 2010.

In retirement, Vazquez worked in boxing commentary. Sadly, boxing said goodbye to the Mexican legend in December of this year at the age of 46 after losing his toughest fight against cancer. 

Rest in peace, Israel.

Richie Sandoval – Born in Pomona, California, in October 1960, Richie was the brother of boxer Albert “Superfly” Sandoval. The sport was saddened by the announcement from long-time Top Rank Boxing matchmaker Bruce Trampler that, “Boxing and the Top Rank family lost one of our own last night (July 21, 2024) with the passing of former WBA bantamweight champ Richie Sandoval”.

Sandoval won the WBA 118-pound title in April of 1984 and made two title defenses over the next couple of years. In Sandoval’s last fight, he lost in a near-fatal stoppage to Texan Gaby Canizales. Weight drained and weakened, Sandoval was dropped several times and lapsed into unconsciousness shortly after the fight. Brain surgery saved his life, but he would never fight again. Top Rank boss Bob Arum gave him a job for life upon his retirement.

Sandoval turned pro in November 1980 and ran up a perfect 22-0 before he faced long-time bantamweight champion “Joltin” Jeff Chandler for the title in the spring of 1984. In a huge win he beat the long-reigning, Philadelphia-based champion who was making his 10th title defense. 

From the fall of 1984 until his final fight in the spring of 1986, he would fight seven times, making several title defenses before being defeated in his last bout against Canizales. 

Sandoval, an excellent boxer with a relentless work rate in the ring, retired with a record of 29-1-0, 17 KO’s. In July of this year, Sandoval, a long-time Las Vegas resident, suffered a fatal heart attack while visiting his son in California.

Rest in peace, Richie.