Former boxing champion Israel Vazquez dies after battle with cancer

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Larry Brown | Last updated Dec 3, 2024 5:28 PM ET

Former bantamweight world boxing champion Israel Vazquez has died after a battled with cancer. He was 46 years old.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the news of Vazquez’s death on Tuesday.

“Israel Vazquez is finally resting in peace . May God give strength and support to his wife Laura, their children, family and friends during these difficult times,” he wrote in a post on X.

Israel Vazquez is finally resting in peace . May God give strength and support to his wife Laura, their children, family and friends during these difficult times. Gracias campeón por dejar una huella tan especial. Siempre serás el Magnífico

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) December 3, 2024

Vazquez had been diagnosed in November with Stage IV sarcoma. He had suffered a detached retina during a 2008 fight and eventually lost his right eye in retirement.

Vazquez boxed from 1995-2010 and went 44-5 during his career. He fought at both the super bantamweight and featherweight weight classes. He was a champion in the super bantamweight class for the IBF, NABF, IBA Continental and WBC.

Vazquez is best known for his four-fight series against Rafael Márquez, which the two split. They fought three times from 2007-2008, and then concluded their battles in 2010. Marquez won the first and last bout between them. Vazquez was knocked out in their 2010 fight and never fought again.