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Rafael Márquez (boxer)

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Rafael Márquez
Born
Rafael Márquez Méndez

(1975-03-25) March 25, 1975 (age 49)
Mexico City, Mexico
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 5+12 in (166 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights50
Wins41
Wins by KO37
Losses9

Rafael Márquez Méndez (born 25 March 1975) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1995 to 2013. He is a two-time world champion in two weight classes, having held the IBF bantamweight title from 2003 to 2007; and the WBC, Ring magazine, and lineal super bantamweight titles in 2007. He also held the IBO bantamweight title from 2005 to 2007, and challenged once for WBO featherweight title in 2011. Marquez was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2023.[1]

Márquez was known for his formidable knockout power and relentless pressure fighting style. His older brother Juan Manuel Márquez is also a former professional boxer and multiple-time world champion.

Professional career

[edit]

Márquez began his professional boxing career with an eighth-round knockout loss to former WBC Bantamweight champion Victor Rabanales.[2]

He gained recognition by defeating two division world champion and future hall of fame member Mark Johnson (40-1-0) by a split decision. In a rematch, Márquez knocked out Johnson in the eighth round in an IBF bantamweight title eliminator bout.

Bantamweight

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On February 15, 2003, he came from behind to knock out Tim Austin (25-0-1) to claim the IBF Bantamweight title, in what was considered to be a big upset.[2] Austin had been undefeated in 10 title fights until that loss. Márquez went on to successfully defend his title seven times. His notable title defenses were two victories over former light flyweight champion Mauricio Pastrana, a decision win over Ricardo Vargas and two knockout victories over former as well as future IBO Bantamweight champion Silence Mabuza, whom he defeated for the second time on August 5, 2006 in his final defense.[2]

Super Bantamweight

[edit]

Márquez moved up a weight division to challenge and defeat WBC and lineal super bantamweight champion Israel Vázquez in seven rounds. However, in a rematch in July 2007, Márquez lost his title after being defeated by Vázquez in the sixth round when the referee stopped the fight. The rematch was named the 2007 fight of the year. In the rubber match of their trilogy, Rafael lost a split decision, with scores of 113-112 and 114-111 to Vázquez, with one judge seeing it 114-111 for Márquez. Márquez may not have lost this bout if not for a point deduction for a low blow in the tenth round. Marquez and promoter Gary Shaw claimed that the punch was on the belt line and should not have elicited any deductions. Márquez was able to knock Vázquez down for the first time in the trilogy in this third fight, but Vázquez in turn put Márquez down in the final seconds of the 12th round, securing the victory and giving Márquez his fifth defeat.

Márquez was ranked number three in The Ring magazine's pound-for-pound rankings.[3] and ranked as the Ring Magazine's number one Bantamweight boxer. He later became the top ranked boxer in the Super Bantamweight division before his loss to Vázquez.

Featherweight

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Márquez was inactive for over a year as he recuperated from the trilogy with Vázquez. On May 23, 2009, he returned to the ring by scoring a 3rd-round TKO over José Francisco Mendoza (21-2-2) in the featherweight division.

In the first week of May 2010, Márquez announced his 4th and final match with Israel Vásquez.[4] After three epic battles, Vázquez and Márquez fought for a fourth time on May 22, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. The bout was appropriately titled "Once and Four All" and carried live by Showtime. Márquez scored a third-round TKO victory over Vázquez to even their series at two wins each.[5][6] Afterwards, Márquez stated; "The fifth one could be a possibility if the fans vote for it. That is what I live for. Israel Vásquez is a great fighter."[7]

In his next fight, he was scheduled to challenge undefeated WBO Featherweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez on September 18, 2010, however, the fight had to be postponed by several weeks when Márquez suffered a thumb injury which prevented him from training. Márquez would ultimately lose the bout by 8th-round TKO after he was unable to continue due to a shoulder injury. After the fight, Márquez said that he had chosen to proceed with the bout despite a right shoulder injury suffered before the contest because he did not wish to cause a second delay. According to Márquez, he re-aggravated that injury in the third round during a flurry of punches. He also expressed his eagerness to face Lopez in a rematch.[8] It was later revealed that Márquez had suffered a hairline fracture in his right shoulder blade during the fight and would require 6 months to recover from the injury.[9]

Return to Super Bantamweight

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On 16 July 2011, Márquez made his comeback in Cancún on the same card as his brother, Juan Manuel, against Eduardo Becerril. Both fights were tune-ups and the younger Márquez brother comfortably dealt with his opponent, knocking him down once on the way to a 6th-round TKO.

Márquez fought against WBC Super Bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka on 1 October at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Marquez lost by unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

[edit]
50 fights 41 wins 9 losses
By knockout 37 7
By decision 4 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
50 Loss 41–9 Efrain Esquivias KO 9 (12), 0:19 Sep 7, 2013 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
49 Loss 41–8 Cristian Mijares TKO 9 (12), 1:59 Oct 27, 2012 Mexico City Arena, Mexico City, Mexico
48 Win 41–7 Eric Aiken KO 1 (10), 2:26 May 5, 2012 Auditorio Municipal, Tijuana, Mexico
47 Loss 40–7 Toshiaki Nishioka UD 12 Oct 1, 2011 MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBC super bantamweight title
46 Win 40–6 Eduardo Becerril RTD 6 (10), 0:10 Jul 16, 2011 Plaza de Toros, Cancún, Mexico
45 Loss 39–6 Juan Manuel López RTD 8 (12), 3:00 Nov 6, 2010 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBO featherweight title
44 Win 39–5 Israel Vázquez KO 3 (12), 1:33 May 22, 2010 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Won vacant WBC Silver featherweight title
43 Win 38–5 Jose Francisco Mendoza TKO 3 (10), 2:26 May 23, 2009 Monterrey Arena, Monterrey, Mexico
42 Loss 37–5 Israel Vázquez SD 12 Mar 1, 2008 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S. For WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles
41 Loss 37–4 Israel Vázquez TKO 6 (12), 1:16 Aug 4, 2007 Dodge Arena, Hidalgo, Texas, U.S. Lost WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles
40 Win 37–3 Israel Vázquez RTD 7 (12), 3:00 Mar 3, 2007 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S. Won WBC and The Ring super bantamweight titles
39 Win 36–3 Silence Mabuza RTD 9 (12), 3:00 Aug 5, 2006 MontBleu, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF and IBO bantamweight titles
38 Win 35–3 Silence Mabuza TKO 4 (12), 2:08 Nov 5, 2005 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF bantamweight title;
Won IBO bantamweight title
37 Win 34–3 Ricardo Vargas UD 12 May 28, 2005 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained IBF bantamweight title
36 Win 33–3 Mauricio Pastrana TKO 8 (12), 3:00 Nov 27, 2004 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF bantamweight title
35 Win 32–3 Heriberto Ruiz KO 3 (12), 2:11 Jul 31, 2004 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained IBF bantamweight title
34 Win 31–3 Peter Frissina TKO 2 (12), 2:00 Jan 31, 2004 Dodge Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. Retained IBF bantamweight title
33 Win 30–3 Mauricio Pastrana UD 12 Oct 4, 2003 Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained IBF bantamweight title
32 Win 29–3 Tim Austin TKO 8 (12), 2:20 Feb 15, 2003 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won IBF bantamweight title
31 Win 28–3 Jorge Otero RTD 6 (10), 0:10 Jul 12, 2002 La Villa Real Convention Center, McAllen, Texas, U.S.
30 Win 27–3 Mark Johnson TKO 8 (12), 2:41 Feb 23, 2002 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant USBA bantamweight title
29 Win 26–3 Mark Johnson SD 10 Oct 6, 2001 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
28 Win 25–3 Gerardo Espinoza TKO 4 (12) Jul 6, 2001 Jai Alai Frontón Palacios, Tijuana, Mexico Won vacant WBA Fedecentro bantamweight title
27 Win 24–3 Miguel Ochoa TKO 2 (10) Jun 1, 2001 Poliforum Zamna, Mérida, Mexico
26 Win 23–3 Jovy Chan KO 3 (8), 1:05 Apr 1, 2001 Peppermill, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
25 Win 22–3 Aquiles Guzman RTD 7 (12), 0:10 Dec 16, 2000 Forum Bicentenario, Maracay, Venezuela Won vacant WBA Fedelatin bantamweight title
24 Loss 21–3 Genaro Garcia KO 2 (10), 1:36 Nov 12, 2000 Regency Hotel, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
23 Win 21–2 Tomas Rivera KO 2 (10), 1:12 Aug 20, 2000 Convention Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
22 Win 20–2 Arturo Estrada TKO 2 (10) Jun 23, 2000 Poliforum Zamna, Mérida, Mexico
21 Win 19–2 Ricardo Barrera TKO 1 (10) Apr 14, 2000 Poliforum Zamna, Mérida, Mexico
20 Win 18–2 Adrian Cristian Ochoa TKO 4 (10), 0:47 Aug 23, 1999 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, U.S.
19 Win 17–2 Angel Almena KO 1 (10), 2:53 May 10, 1999 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, U.S.
18 Win 16–2 Jose Guadalupe Gastelum RTD 6 (10), 3:00 Mar 8, 1999 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S.
17 Win 15–2 Ricardo Barrera KO 1 Oct 24, 1998 Tropicana, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
16 Win 14–2 Dario Diaz TKO 2 Aug 22, 1998 Tropicana, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15 Win 13–2 Ivan Salazar KO 3 (8), 1:04 Jun 20, 1998 Tropicana, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
14 Loss 12–2 Francisco Mateos TKO 3 (10) May 2, 1998 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
13 Win 12–1 Beldevear Meza KO 3 Apr 6, 1998 Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S.
12 Win 11–1 Jose Felipe Garcia TKO 1 Mar 4, 1998 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
11 Win 10–1 Julian Mujica TKO 1 Jan 24, 1998 Arena Coliseo, Mexico City, Mexico
10 Win 9–1 Evaristo Primero TKO 4 (6), 1:06 Oct 22, 1997 Tropicana Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
9 Win 8–1 Jose Guillermo Sanchez TKO 3 (4) Sep 27, 1997 Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.
8 Win 7–1 Gabriel Tinajero KO 2 (6) Jul 14, 1997 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
7 Win 6–1 Juan Mendoza UD 6 Apr 21, 1997 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
6 Win 5–1 Oscar Zamora KO 2 Dec 9, 1996 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 Robert Enriquez KO 4 Oct 28, 1996 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Mucio Castillo TKO 1 May 15, 1996 Mexico City, Mexico
3 Win 2–1 Sergio Lopez TKO 2 Mar 27, 1996 Mexico City, Mexico
2 Win 1–1 Jose Godinez TKO 2 Mar 3, 1996 Mexico City, Mexico
1 Loss 0–1 Victor Rabanales KO 8 Sep 14, 1995 Campeche City, Mexico Professional debut

Outside the ring

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He was involved in a car accident in Cuernavaca, Mexico. He was on his way to the airport in Mexico City to go to New York to receive the award for fight of the year, where he fought Israel Vázquez.[10]

He made his appearance on Fight Night Round 2 launched in 2005.

He is Juan Manuel Marquez's brother; he also has a sister named Carmela. Their dad is a former professional boxer.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Santoliquito, Joseph (7 December 2022). "HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES CLASS OF 2023; TIM BRADLEY, CARL FROCH AND RAFAEL MARQUEZ TO BE INDUCTED". Ringtv.com. The Ring Magazine. Retrieved 7 December 2022.
  2. ^ a b c BoxRec.com editors. "Rafael Marquez." BoxRec.com. URL accessed 5 July 2006.
  3. ^ The Ring editors. The Ring Ratings. Archived 2005-12-24 at the Wayback Machine 3 July 2006 The Ring URL accessed 5 July 2006.
  4. ^ Dan Rafael (2010-03-19). "Vazquez, Marquez announce 4th fight". ESPN.com.
  5. ^ Vester, Mark (May 22, 2010). "Rafael Marquez Destroys Israel Vasquez in Three Rounds". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  6. ^ Donovan, Jake (May 23, 2010). "Marquez Evens The Score; Perez-Mares Fight To A Draw". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved May 23, 2010.
  7. ^ "Rafael Marquez tells Fight Hub TV he would drink his pee! | Fighthub TV". Archived from the original on 2013-01-22. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
  8. ^ "Lopez keeps featherweight title with TKO victory over Marquez". USA Today. November 7, 2010.
  9. ^ "Rafael Marquez to be Out for Six Months, Hairline Fracture". 8 November 2010.
  10. ^ "Fox Sports en Espanol - Boxeo - Sufre accidente el excampeón mundial Márquez". Archived from the original on 2009-06-16. Retrieved 2009-06-13.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Cuauhtemoc Gomez
WBA Fedelatin bantamweight champion
December 16, 2000 – July 2001
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Moises Castro
WBA Fedecentro bantamweight champion
July 6, 2001 – February 2002
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Leopoldo Arrocha
Vacant
Title last held by
Pete Frissina
USBA bantamweight champion
February 23, 2002 – February 15, 2003
Won IBF title
Title discontinued
New title WBC Silver super bantamweight champion
May 22, 2010 – November 2010
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Victor Terrazas
Minor world boxing titles
Preceded by IBO bantamweight champion
November 5, 2005 – March 2007
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Silence Mabuza
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by IBF bantamweight champion
February 15, 2003 – March 16, 2007
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Luis Alberto Pérez
Preceded by WBC super bantamweight champion
March 3, 2007August 4, 2007
Succeeded by
Israel Vázquez
The Ring super bantamweight champion
March 3, 2007 – August 4, 2007
Lineal super bantamweight champion
March 3, 2007 – August 4, 2007
Awards
Previous:
Somsak Sithchatchawal vs.
Mahyar Monshipour
The Ring Fight of the Year
vs. Vázquez II, III

2007, 2008
Next:
Juan Manuel Márquez vs.
Juan Díaz
BWAA Fight of the Year
vs. Vázquez III

2008