By Ronan Keenan (photo by Joe Miranda/Showtime)

“The only thing that will bring new fans to boxing is fresh, exciting fights,” said Gary Shaw when asked about the future of the fight game.

On March 3rd, the promoter will be backing up his words when he presents what is already being labeled a potential fight of the year candidate. Mexican pride and The Ring’s 122lb title will be on the line when the world’s best bantamweight, Rafael Marquez climbs four pounds to challenge current champion Israel Vazquez.

It’s a dream pairing; two hard-hitting warriors at the peak of their powers aiming to secure their place in ring immortality in a matchup that brings back memories of the most famous Mexican ‘Civil War’.

At a time when the Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales battles are fading to memory, Saturday’s confrontation will surely give the bantamweight classes a much needed boost.

“Fights like Marquez-Vazquez are critical for the lower weights,” Showtime analyst Steve Farhood told BoxingScene. “They bring attention to divisions that some fans ignore.

“It's easy to understand; there are very few Americans fighting at featherweight and below. But when two punchers like this match up, it creates exposure the junior featherweights would otherwise fail to secure. Also, it dispels the myth that the smaller guys can't punch.”

IMPACT

But does such a tantalising fight really make a difference to the sport as a whole? In an era when boxing’s exposure is being threatened by UFC, WWE and just about everything else that airs on the countless cable channels, will scraps between bantamweights be enough to make an impact?

“The fights at the lighter weights are not having much of impact on American boxing fans,” said BoxingScene’s T.K. Stewart. “Manny Pacquiao, Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera are all huge stars in their home countries - and they have engaged in great fights - but they just don't attract much attention when it comes to mainstream sports fans here in America.

“Despite all of these great fights in the lighter weight divisions over the past decades, boxing is still in the dumper when it comes to fan attraction.” 

But does that mean promoters should direct their money towards the heavyweights instead of wasting resources on Vazquez-Marquez?

“Fights between little guys can increase the sport's profile - if they're great fights,” said Senior Writer of The Ring magazine, William Dettloff.

The sad reality dictates that if Marquez-Vazquez isn’t an all-time classic, it will become lost in the sea of other interests that now dominate sports pages.

“The casual fan doesn't pay much attention [to lighter weight-classes],” added Farhood. “Then again, today's casual fan can't name any of the heavyweight champions, so their lack of knowledge regarding the lighter weights is forgivable.

“But I think real boxing fans pay attention to the smaller weights.”

So maybe a tasty fight such as Saturday’s can’t bring new followers to the sport. It probably won’t increase boxing’s profile one iota, but it has the potential to do something a lot more important – galvanise the core fanbase upon which the fight game is built.

FORM

It’s a relatively rare occasion when two world-class fighters clash when both appear to be at the absolute zenith of their game. But this weekend’s bout unquestionably features two of the hottest little guys in the sport, and both fighters seem pretty comfortable with that winning feeling.

Vazquez, 41-3 (44), showed the mentality of a champion when he came from behind to wear down the talented Jhonny Gonzalez last September in what was a contender for fight of the year. The taller Gonzalez practically shut out Vazquez through the first six rounds by dictating the pace with his long jab and slashing right cross.

Paradoxically, the turning point in the contest came when the champion was apparently at his weakest. After been dropped heavily in the sixth, the end seemed near for the visibly shaken Vazquez. But somehow the knockdown invigorated him as he began to impose his resolute will on Gonzalez, rattling the game challenger with thudding right hands before the bout was stopped in the tenth.

“[Vazquez] was pasted with clean hard shots round-after-round,” said Stewart. “All credit has to go to him for hanging in there against a difficult style and against such an awkward fighter in Gonzalez and pulling out the victory.  He showed a lot of guts in that fight to hang in there when all appeared lost.” 

That stirring victory continued Vazquez’ impressive form, with his only loss in eight years being a 2002 defeat to Oscar Larios in what was a hellacious battle. That setback was sweetly avenged three years later in Vazquez’ title-winning performance. Moreover, since the loss to Larios, Vazquez has halted a slew of teak-tough contenders such as Jorge Eliecer Julio, Jose Luis Valbuena and Ivan Hernandez.

Marquez, 36-3 (32), can certainly match Vazquez’ resume having defended his bantamweight title seven times since his remarkable upset of Tim Austin. The Mexican showed immense strength as he steamrolled the pound-for-pound rated Austin in the eight round to record a surprising stoppage.

In addition, Marquez owns two victories over another pound-for-pound list staple, Mark Johnson. And like Vazquez, Marquez has overcome his share of highly-regarded contenders. The hurdles set by Mauricio Pastrana, Ricardo Vargas, and Silence Mabuza were easily cleared, but Marquez’ most stunning win came against Heriberto Ruiz in 2004.

After a cagey and relatively uneventful two and a half rounds had passed, the impatient Las Vegas crowd began to voice their displeasure at the lack of action. Subsequently, Ruiz decided to spice things up by landing a few counter right hands before unleashing an unmercifully low blow.

Marquez, clearly disgruntled by Ruiz’ audacity, arose from his apparent slumber and began to let-fly with some mal-intentioned combinations. Then, with two minutes and ten seconds elapsed in the third round, Marquez unleashed a frighteningly accurate right-uppercut that connect squarely with Ruiz’ chin, sending the unconscious challenger face-first to the canvas.

It was a display of power seldom seen in the sub-lightweight classes and a signal that Marquez has the tools to render any opponent cataleptic. 

MOVING UP

But on Saturday, Marquez will be faced with the apparent disadvantage of moving north of the bantamweight division he has inhabited since his pro debut in 1995. Vazquez, meanwhile, has been fighting around 122lbs since his debut twelve years ago, and with a slight height advantage would intuitively have the size factor in his favour.

“Even though Rafael Marquez is the slightly smaller man coming up from 118 to 122, I think it is a move for him that has been long overdue,” Stewart said. “Except for a few over-the-weight fights, Marquez has been one of the rare, disciplined boxers that has spent his entire career fighting in the same weight division.

“I think we'll see a Rafael Marquez at 122 pounds that is bigger, stronger and faster - which is a little scary when you think about it.” 

Even Vazquez himself doubts Marquez will have a size disadvantage.

“Marquez will be bigger than me, so I will need to neutralize his long left hand and jab," said the champion.

PUNCH-RESISTANCE

In what is an atypical facet of such a highly-regarded bout, both titlists have suffered five knockout losses between them. Do both fighters have questionable punch-resistance or is it merely a chance coincidence?

In Vazquez’ defense, his first loss came in his tenth pro outing eleven years ago when he was stopped in the first round by one Ulises Flores. His second kayo defeat was the aforementioned Larios war, which was stopped due to Vazquez taking too much of a beating. Hence, there can’t be too many doubts surrounding Vazquez’ chin, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get hurt against Marquez.

“A concern that I have with Israel Vazquez is the fact that he is too offensive minded and that he takes a lot of shots in many of his fights,” said Stewart. “He got hit a lot against Gonzalez and he gets hit a lot in many of his fights.”

Conversely, most observers would attest that Marquez has a better defense, yet he has been knocked out three times in his career. However, his first loss can be discounted as it came in his professional debut against former world titlist Victor Rabanales, who was then a 56-fight veteran. But in 1998 Marquez was halted in three by Francisco Mateos and two years later he was starched by the capable Genaro Garcia.

He has no explanation for the latter two defeats and his ability to absorb punishment remains uncertain. Still, he is more of a technical boxer than Vazquez, and in recent years has been adept at keeping his chin out of harm’s way.

However, one dynamic that could play a major role is experience. On paper, it would appear that both fighters are evenly matched in this department. Their age is similar; Vazquez is 29, while Marquez will be 32 in March and both have had a comparable number of fights at 44 and 39, respectively.

But the numbers don’t signify the number of wars Vazquez has endured. His second fight with Larios and subsequent battles with Valbuena and Gonzalez were all gruelling affairs that surely resulted in significant wear-and-tear.

Then again, Marquez has never really been in a soul-searching struggle. His first victory over Johnson was closely contested, but it was hardly a slugfest. In some aspects, he is in a similar position to Gonzalez when he moved-up to challenge Vazquez.

The question-marks that surrounded Gonzalez also apply to Marquez: will he be able to tolerate an arduous battle; will he be able to absorb Vazquez’ bombs at the higher weight division; will he be able to control the pace with his superior boxing skills?

Ultimately, Gonzalez answered in the negative, but Marquez is aiming to buck the trend.

“I feel good at 122 pounds,” Marquez said. “I feel much stronger and I'm sure the weight is not going to be an issue once I get inside the ropes. Believe me, I have punching power at this weight.”

STYLE CLASH

The bout has an intriguing subplot as it sees two of the sport’s most renowned stables clash, with added spice coming from the fact that Vazquez is now resident in the US, while Marquez has remained loyal to his homeland.

Some native Mexicans have accused Vazquez of being a defector, while California’s boxing-mad Mexican-American population are sure to rally behind the champion. The ingredients are in place for a raucous atmosphere at Carson’s Home Depot Centre.

Vazquez now lives and trains in LA at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym and has fought exclusively in the US for the last nine years. Under Roach’s tutelage, he has developed an energetic approach that focuses on pressurising opponents in setting up the looping right hand. To achieve this, Vazquez likes to move straight-ahead in bull-like fashion while utilising constant movement at the waist.

In contrast, Marquez, like his brother Juan Manuel, is an archetypal product of the Ignacio Beristain production line. Beristain, Mexico’s most renowned trainer, preaches the fundamentals of a classical boxing style. Good balance, high hands, patience and a solid jab are the core components of Beristain’s philosophy and Marquez is a true disciple.

“[Marquez] is so technically sound and throws all of his punches perfectly,” said Stewart.  “If you were going to show somebody how to fight and how to throw punches and how to be textbook perfect you would show them a tape of Rafael Marquez and tell them to study it.  His punches are straight and quick and delivered with great balance and precision.”

While Vazquez will look to force the action and possibly target the abdominal area under Marquez’ high guard, the challenger will seek to exploit his longer reach and dictate the tempo with his sharp jab.

But which style will prevail?

“The old boxing cliche is true,” added Stewart. “‘Styles makes make fights’ and in this fight I just feel that Rafael Marquez has the style to beat Israel Vazquez.

“Marquez is a top 10 pound-for-pound guy in my book and his straight, precision punches will be the difference against Vazquez. I don't see this fight lasting the distance and I think Marquez will score a stoppage in the middle rounds.”

“I can't see [the fight] being anything other than a punch-out,” predicted Farhood. “Vazquez is bigger and a bit busier, but Marquez is more versatile and can punch hard enough to move up the four pounds. I like Marquez by kayo.”

However, former bantamweight world titlist Wayne McCullough doesn’t see a clear winner.

“Vazquez is naturally the bigger of the two since he has been campaigning at this weight and Marquez is stepping up but he can bang,” he said. “It has the potential to be one of the best fights of the year so fans should definitely tune in. I think it's a toss up fight where either boxer can win.”

Whatever the outcome, both fighters are expecting one thing – a war to the bitter end.

“I will die if that’s what it takes to win the fight,” said Vazquez. “The only winner, besides me, in this fight will be the fans. I am going for the knockout in seven rounds.”

Countered Marquez, “I will give my life if necessary to win this fight. I respect Vazquez because of what he has accomplished as a boxer, but once we get in the ring, I believe it is going to be an all-out war. I hope it will be a great fight for the fans.”

So do we.

Write to Ronan Keenan at ronankeenan@yahoo.com