Israel Vazquez, a three-time boxing world champion from Mexico, has passed away at 46 after a battle with sarcoma cancer, which he publicly disclosed in November. The news was confirmed by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, who expressed condolences to Vazquez’s family, praising his legacy and resilience.
Vazquez, who turned pro in 1995, gained fame for his fierce rivalry with fellow boxer Rafael Marquez. Their four matches between 2007 and 2010 were highly acclaimed, with two of them earning Fight of the Year honors. Despite a severe eye injury in 2008, Vazquez remained a formidable competitor, holding both the IBF and WBC super bantamweight titles during his career. His last fight, a knockout loss to Marquez in 2010, marked the end of his boxing career with a record of 44 wins (32 by knockout) and 5 losses.
Vazquez’s boxing career was marred by significant injuries, including a detached retina, which led to the loss of his right eye. He retired after several surgeries and health issues, and the WBC had announced his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. A GoFundMe page was set up to assist with his medical expenses.
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