Former Israeli Boxing World Champion Vazquez Dies

JAKARTA - Israel Vazquez, a Mexican boxer who had won the world super bantamweight three times, died at the age of 46.

The President of the World Boxing Council (WBC), Mauricio Sulaiman, wrote in Spanish on his X social media account (previously known as Twitter) to confirm the news.

"Israel Vazquez finally rested in peace," reads Sulaiman's first sentence.

The boxer from Mexico City died after being diagnosed with serious stage four sarkoma cancer that ate him after retiring.

The boxer nicknamed El Magnifico or Yang Terhebat it was then defeated in the battle against this heinous disease. He died leaving his wife and children, Laura Vazquez.

"May God give strength and support to his wife, Laura, their children, family, and friends during these difficult times."

"Thank you for the champion for leaving a special mark. You will always be El Magnifico," reads a further statement from Sulaiman.

Vazquez is known to have an aggressive style and please the audience when fighting. That performance earned him the nickname Magnifico.

He had the most epic fight in tetralogy against fellow Mexican boxer Rafael Marquez.

The two boxers face off four times between 2007 and 2010. The duel between the two compatriots is one of the most brutal and thrilling boxing competitions.

Their third meeting which was held in feasibility, California, United States, in March 2008, was declared the best fight of the year by Ring Magazine.

In fact, the fourth round of the duel was named the best round. At that time, Vazquez won through a split decision (split decision) after experiencing a knockout in the fourth round.

Vazquez recorded a second and third clash with Rafael and lost in the first and last meetings in 2010 before deciding to retire.