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Tonight's match has clearly elevated itself into the legendary echelon of fights in boxing history - and I was particularly struck by the parallels between the rubber match and 1982 FOTY Chacon-Limon IV. In both fights the fighters had faced each other multiple times before. Both fights involved the winning fighter clinching the win only through a knockdown in the last seconds of the final round. Both fighters were down in both fights, and the fighter who came on late took the victory (Vasquez, Chacon). Hell, Vasquez even looks a bit similar to Chacon in the ring (once Chacon would get bloodied up a bit), and both are undeniably infighters.
Of course the skill level displayed in tonight's fight was on a higher level than the war in 1982 (both Vasquez and Marquez are skilled boxer-punchers), but in sheer brutality and toughness displayed by both fighters involved, they belong together in the annals of boxing history.
Although I didn't score the fight, personally I thought Vasquez took it by at least 1 point with the final knockdown no matter how favorably one scored the earlier rounds for Marquez. I also felt Marquez was a bit classless in the post-fight interview, especially when there was no shame in losing a split decision and he only gained more respect in the eyes of the boxing world through his great performance.
That said, if this fight had gone 15 rounds like in the old days, I think Vasquez would have certainly finished the job as strong as he looked in the 12th
Additionally, I am not in favor of a fourth fight; these two are dangerous, and may have already taken too much out of each other. At some point as a fan of a fighter you have to be concerned about his safety and not just selfishly demand that he continues onward until he leaves the ring on his shield.
Thoughts?
Of course the skill level displayed in tonight's fight was on a higher level than the war in 1982 (both Vasquez and Marquez are skilled boxer-punchers), but in sheer brutality and toughness displayed by both fighters involved, they belong together in the annals of boxing history.
Although I didn't score the fight, personally I thought Vasquez took it by at least 1 point with the final knockdown no matter how favorably one scored the earlier rounds for Marquez. I also felt Marquez was a bit classless in the post-fight interview, especially when there was no shame in losing a split decision and he only gained more respect in the eyes of the boxing world through his great performance.
That said, if this fight had gone 15 rounds like in the old days, I think Vasquez would have certainly finished the job as strong as he looked in the 12th
Additionally, I am not in favor of a fourth fight; these two are dangerous, and may have already taken too much out of each other. At some point as a fan of a fighter you have to be concerned about his safety and not just selfishly demand that he continues onward until he leaves the ring on his shield.
Thoughts?
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