Fourteen years after fight one in the great quartet rivalry between Rafael Márquez and Israel Vázquez I

In boxing there have been great rivalries, which will live forever in our memories, and right up there is  Rafael Márquez and Israel Vázquez, who battled each other four times breathtaking times. 

Today on our Coffee Tuesday, which percolated into Wednesday, we remember the beginning of this rivalry and we had the opportunity to talk with these two great world champions, who shared unique moments from their fights.

Rafael began training at the age of six, thanks to his father, who himself was a professional boxer, initially as a way to defend himself since they grew up in a neighborhood where you had to know how to flourish your fists; However, his taste for sports led him to want to turn professional.

With a very similar history Israel, commented that he also started in the world of gloves from a very young age. He said that, after having had a great career in the amateur field, he tried to make his debut when he was 16 years old, but his coach did not allow it at that moment.

Recalling how they got in the first fight, Rafael was clear in saying that at that moment he had two options, but he knew that Israel was a warrior; however, he acknowledged that he never, ever imagined what the first fight would unleash.

Showing great respect and obvious deep mutual admiration, both Rafael and Israel acknowledged that outside the ring they always saw each other with esteem,  because both knew of the quality and honor of the other 

Both legends were touched,  that after so many years the public continues to remember this fight, but above all that it continues to be a benchmark of brilliance in boxing.

Both whole heartedly agreed, that Mexicans are always a guarantee of a high-level show, since the fighters’ hearts are amazing, and that they always show this above in the ring.

Convinced that boxing has changed a lot and that some fighters no longer go up to fight with that hunger to become world champions, the two were emphatic in saying that sport needs to return to those times, but also understand that times change and with it, boxing.