Rafael Márquez (boxer)

Infobox Boxer
name =Rafael Márquez
realname =Rafael Márquez Méndez
nickname =
height =height|ft=5|in=5
weight =Super Bantamweight
nationality =Flagicon|MEX Mexican
birth_date =Birth date and age|1975|3|25|mf=y
birth_place =Mexico City, Mexico
death_date| =
death_place| =
style =Orthodox
total =42
wins =37
losses =5
draws =0
no contests =0
KO =33|

Rafael Márquez Méndez (born March 25, 1975 in Mexico City, Mexico) is a Mexican professional boxer. He is a former world champion at the IBF / IBO Bantamweight (118 lb) and WBC Super Bantamweight (122 lb) divisions.

Career history

Márquez's began his professional boxing career with an eighth round knockout loss to former WBC Bantamweight champion Victor Rabanales.BoxRec.com editors. [http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=013019 "Rafael Marquez."] BoxRec.com. URL accessed 5 July 2006.]

In 2001, Márquez first gained recognition by defeating former world champion Mark Johnson by a split decision. In a rematch bout, Márquez knocked out Johnson in the eight round.

In February 15, 2003, he defeated Tim Austin to claim the IBF Bantamweight title. Márquez went on to successfully defend his title seven times. His notable title defenses were two victories over Mauricio Pastrana, a decision win over Ricardo Vargas and two knockout victories over former IBO Bantamweight champion Silence Mabuza, whom he defeated for the second time on August 5, 2006.

Márquez moved up in weight division to challenge and defeat Israel Vazquez in seven rounds. However, in a rematch on July, 2007, Márquez lost his title after being defeated by Vazquez in the sixth round when the referee stopped the fight. In the rubber match of their trilogy, Rafael lost a split decision, with scores of 113-112, 114-111 Vazquez, 114-111 Marquez. Marquez may not have lost this bout if not for a point deduction for a low blow in the tenth round. Marquez and promoter Gary Shaw claim that this hit was on the belt line and should not have elicited any deductions. Márquez was ranked number three in "The Ring" magazine's pound-for-pound rankings."The Ring" editors. [http://www.thering-online.com/ringpages/ratings2.html "The Ring" Ratings.] 3 July 2006 "The Ring" URL accessed 5 July 2006.] and ranked as the Ring Magazine's number one Bantamweight boxer. He later became the top ranked boxer in the Super Bantamweight division before his recent loss.

Outside the ring

Márquez comes from a strong boxing pedigree. One of his brothers, Juan Manuel Márquez is also a former WBA and IBF featherweight world champion, and the former WBC super featherweight champion.

See also

* List of current world boxing champions

Notes and references

External links

* [http://boxing.about.com/od/records/a/rmarquez.htm Rafael Marquez Fight-by-Fight Career Record]
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