The Iron Man

Rafael Marquez- 37-5 (33KOs)

Rafael Márquez Méndez (born March 25, 1975 in Mexico City, Mexico) is a professional boxer who currently fights at Super-Bantamweight (122lbs). His record is 37-4 (33 KOs). He is a two-weight world champion, a former IBF & IBO Bantamweight champion and a former WBC Super-Bantamweight champion.

Márquez's professional debut ended in an 8th round KO loss to Victor Rabanales. In his first 24 professional bouts, Marquez lost 3 fights by knockout. At this time he was 21-3 with a massive 20 KO wins.

Marquez first gained recognition by defeating perennial pound for pound legend Mark Johnson twice. Marquez upset Johnson by a narrow split decision in 2001, marred by two point deductions for Johnson. In the rematch, Maruqez took apart Johnson, winning by TKO in the 8th round.

Márquez then fought against Tim Austin on February 15, 2003 for the IBF bantamweight championship. Márquez was behind on all three judges' scorecards when he ended the bout with a TKO victory in round 8. Márquez successfully defended his title seven times since defeating Austin. His notable defenses were two victories over Mauricio Pastrana (who defeated Márquez in the amateurs), a decision victory over Ricardo Vargas, and two knock out victories over former IBO bantamweight champion Silence Mabuza, who he defeated for the second time on August 5, 2006, which was Marquez's last defense of his 118 lbs title.

Marquez then moved up in weight to challenge the dangerous jr. featherweight champion Israel Vazquez in March 2007, in perhaps the biggest test of Marquez's career. Marquez seemed to out box Vazquez for seven rounds, despite suffering a knock down in the third, and was ahead on two of the three judges scorecards when Vazquez quit with a broken nose sustained by Marquez's punches. In August 2007, the return bout happened. In an FOTY contender, both guys traded punches from the opening bell in a terrific fight. Marquez was down early in the fight, and found himself behind 48-47 on all three judges cards before the referee stopped the bout in the 6th round. Marquez lost via 6th round TKO, a stoppage which some people questioned.

The third fight between the two took place at the Home Depot Centre, California, on 1st March. After the excitement of the first two fights, the third fight didn't disappoint. Marquez & Vazquez fought toe-to-toe for 12 rounds. Marquez was deducted points for fouls, and was put down in the 12th round which ultimately cost him the fight. The final scores were 114-111, 111-114 & 112-113, with Vazquez winning by Split-Decision. The third fight is an shoe-in for the 2008 FOTY.

Marquez hasn't fought since, and doesn't have a fight scheduled for the near future. However, there are reports of a fourth fight between him and Israel Vazquez being scheduled soon.

Updated by LeedsLad (07/23/08)