The only one of their four fights to go the distance, this intense life-and-death struggle was consensus Fight of the Year for 2008. Vazquez's knockdown of Marquez in the final round proved to be the difference on the scorecards. Ironically, it was Marquez who emerged out of their rivalry fresher and with more fights left in the tank.
2008 BWAA Fight of the Year
2008 Ring Magazine Fight of the Year
2008 ESPN Fight of the Year
2008 Yahoo! Fight of the Year

The Tiebreaker: Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez III

Rafael Marquez moves up to super bantamweight to challenge WBC Champion Israel Vazquez in the first of their three epic encounters. Marquez jumps out to an early lead by bloodying Vazquez's nose and buckling his knees in the opening round; however, Vazquez comes back to floor Marquez with a left hook in the third round. Unable to breathe properly through a broken nose, Vazquez remains on his stool after the seventh round, giving Marquez the stoppage victory.

Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez I

After being stopped by Rafael Marquez in March, Israel Vazquez reclaims the WBC Super Bantamweight Championship by returning the favor in 2007's Fight of the Year. Marquez jumps out to an early lead, but Vazquez hurts him in the third round; however, Marquez comes back with a vengeance moments later in one of the all-time great rounds. With both their faces a bloody mess, Vazquez puts Marquez down with a left hook in round six. Marquez beats the count, but Vazquez proceeds to punish him until Referee Jose Guadalupe Garcia stops the fight a bit prematurely in the eyes of many.

The Tiebreaker: Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez III

Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez I

Rafael Marquez vs. Israel Vazquez II

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