Due to the mega zenith that is Oscar De La Hoya and what was his “Homecoming” this last weekend in southern California, I am sure that not many boxing fans knew or had the opportunity to watch the excellent Showtime produced documentary featuring the Vazquez-Marquez trilogy Saturday night.

Just like the “Golden Boy”-“Two Pounds” bout, the conclusion of the trilogy is known by all those in the know in the sport of boxing.  But to be able delve into the thoughts on the trilogy by respected boxing scribes such as Doug Fisher and Steve Kim of Maxboxing.com, David Ayala of the Riverside Press and Robert Morales of the L.A. Daily News as well as  the two courageous fighters themselves was a treat in itself.

I had the honor and opportunity to attend the first fight of the trilogy in March ’07 at the Home Depot Center.  Even though the contest was not well attended, I knew that it was going to be one for the ages and I did all I could to attend.  Unfortunately, I was not able to secure a spot on the Fightnews writing team which is usually how I get to sit ringside for the major boxing events that occur in the southern California region.  But thru well placed connections I was able to guarantee myself a spot as a second for one of the under card fighters which allowed me free rein of the floor of the event.

As the fight drew near, I found myself a seat in the first row where I was sure not to miss any of the action.  Even though there was an almost tragedy in the semi main event when the Armenian Vic Darchinyan completely devastated a physically over matched Victor Burgos while defending his IBF flyweight title, by the time Jimmy Lennon Jr. gave his now famous “Its Showtime!” tagline, all those in attendance were ready to see the fireworks go off.

As a boxing fan first and a fight reporter second, I was ready to cheer on Israel Vazquez since I believed that he had the upper hand in the bout since he is a natural super bantamweight.  The fact that he is promoted by local Sycuan Ringside Promotions didn’t hurt either.  Given that I was at the fights not as a Fightnews writer but as a fan, I had no qualms in cheering for one of my favorite fighters. 

My plan of willing Vazquez to victory with my claps and hoots was somewhat brought to an end as none other than Nacho Beristain’s youngest daughter ended up in the seat next to mine which made it quite difficult to cheer against the former bantamweight kingpin Marquez.  So I was satisfied to cheer on both fighters in what turned out to be an instant classic.

What I remember most about the night was that the three minute rounds seemed to only last thirty seconds since they were so action packed.  The fact of having two superb ring technicians coupled with their unwillingness to retreat style created a frenzy of power shots and movement that up to that point and after I have never seen.  I grew tired as a tried to concentrate on the subtleness of the fight as I tried to watch their footwork, hands and head movement to see with my own set of eyes two masters at work.

Even though my pick did not leave victorious that night but instead broken and bloodied, nobody and I mean nobody in the whole building felt like a loser.

By Felipe Leon, SDFights.com