Rafael Márquez (boxer)

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Rafael Márquez
Statistics
Real name Rafael Márquez Méndez
Rated at Super Bantamweight
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Nationality Flag of Mexico Mexican
Birth date March 25, 1975 (1975-03-25) (age 33)
Birth place Mexico City, Mexico
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 42
Wins 37
Wins by KO 33
Losses 5
Draws 0
No contests 0

Rafael Márquez Méndez (born March 25, 1975 in Mexico City, Mexico) is a Mexican professional boxer. He is a former world champion at the IBF / IBO Bantamweight (118 lb) and WBC Super Bantamweight (122 lb) divisions.

Contents

[edit] Career history

Márquez's began his professional boxing career with an eighth round knockout loss to former WBC Bantamweight champion Victor Rabanales.[1]

In 2001, Márquez first gained recognition by defeating former world champion Mark Johnson by a split decision. In a rematch bout, Márquez knockout Johnson in the eight round, cementing his popularity.

In February 15, 2003, he defeated Tim Austin to claim the IBF Bantamweight title.[1] Márquez went on to successfully defend his title seven times. His notable title defenses were two victories over Mauricio Pastrana, a decision win over Ricardo Vargas and two knockout victories over former IBO Bantamweight champion Silence Mabuza, whom he defeated for the second time on August 5, 2006.[1]

Márquez moved up in weight division to challenge and defeat Israel Vazquez in seven rounds. However, in a rematch on July, 2007, Márquez lost his title after being defeated by Vazquez in the sixth round, due to his corner throwing in the towel. In the rubber match of their trilogy, Rafael lost a split decision, with scores of 113-112, 114-111 Vazquez, 114-111 Marquez. Marquez 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 claim that this hit was on the belt line and should not have elicited any deductions.

Márquez was ranked number three in The Ring magazine's pound-for-pound rankings.[2] 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 recent loss.

[edit] Outside the ring

Márquez comes from a strong boxing pedigree. One of his brothers, Juan Manuel Márquez is also a former WBA and IBF featherweight world champion, and the former WBC super featherweight champion.

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ a b c BoxRec.com editors. "Rafael Marquez." BoxRec.com. URL accessed 5 July 2006.
  2. ^ The Ring editors. The Ring Ratings. 3 July 2006 The Ring URL accessed 5 July 2006.

[edit] External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:
Preceded by
Tim Austin
IBF bantamweight boxing champion
2003-02-152006-08-05 (Vacated)
Succeeded by
Luis Alberto Pérez
filled vacancy
Preceded by
Silence Mabuza
IBO bantamweight boxing champion
2005-11-052006-08-05 (Vacated)
Succeeded by
Silence Mabuza
filled vacancy
Preceded by
Israel Vázquez
WBC super bantamweight boxing champion
2007-03-03–2007-04-08
Succeeded by
Israel Vazquez