Márquez–Vázquez rivalry

Although there had been talk of a fifth fight, it had been widely discouraged by the boxing media due to the punishment absorbed by both fighters, with the injuries Vázquez suffered to his eyes a particular concern.

He won the world title at his first opportunity by knocking down the IBF super bantamweight champion José Luis Valbuena twice en route to a twelfth round technical knockout.

[6] After a successful first defence of his title against Ivan Hernandez Vázquez fought Jhonny González in what was described as a fight of the year contender.

Márquez became a world champion for the first time in 2003 when he scored a tenth-round technical knockout victory over Tim Austin for the IBF title.

Márquez defended his title three times in 2004 with knockout victories over Peter Frissina, Heriberto Ruiz and Pastrana.

[10] Although Vázquez accepted that Márquez would be the most dangerous opponent he had ever faced, he believed that as the naturally heavier man he would have the advantage.

The early portion of the fight was dominated by Márquez and with his greater hand speed and combinations he was able to land an uppercut which broke Vázquez's nose in the opening round.

However, Vázquez, in reference to his nose injuries in the first fight, said that he wanted to show in the rematch that he could beat Márquez when he was healthy.

[19] Confirmed bouts:[20] It was not until over seven months later that the fighters met for a third time as they returned to the site of their first encounter, the Home Depot Center in Carson.

Márquez underlined his dominance in the fight by sending Vázquez to the canvas with a hard right hand in the fourth round.

[24] Confirmed bouts:[25] Due to the punishing nature of their previous three fights both boxers were out of action for over a year before they returned to the ring.

[26] Márquez returned first and made a winning comeback with an easy third-round knockout over Jose Francisco Mendoza in May 2009.

Vázquez, who needed three surgeries on his damaged retina following the third fight, returned in October 2009 and struggled to a ninth round win over Angel Antonio Priolo.

[27] Due to Vázquez's inactivity he was stripped of his title, meaning that the fourth meeting between the pair would be a non-title fight.

[30] Instead of a fifth fight with Vázquez, Márquez fought Juan Manuel López and lost after failing to come out for the ninth round.