On May 22, 2009 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA, Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez will once again lace up the gloves for another brutal match. Will the fight live up to their previous three, which most consider one of the best of all time? This remains to be seen. For both Marquez and Vazquez, this fight will prove if either fighter has anything left in the tank.

Vazquez vs. Marquez IV Preview

Rafael Marquez (38-5 with 33 KOs)

5’5 1/2” with 68” reach, 35 years old

Rafael Marquez comes from a stable of successful fighters under trainer Nacho Beristain, including of course his brother Juan Manuel Marquez, and like Juan Manuel, Rafael, is also regarded as one of the best little men of the sport. Rafael Marquez first gained recognition when he defeated Superflyweight champ Mark Johnson back in 2001. He later would upset Tim Austin in 2003 to become the IBF Bantamweight champ, which he defended successfully seven times before moving up to Super Bantamweight to face Isreal Vasquez, so the trilogy begins.