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Vazquez beats Marquez to retain title
AP, CARSON, CALIFORNIA
Monday, Mar 03, 2008, Page 18
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Israel Vazquez reacts after knocking down Rafael Marquez during their WBC super bantamweight championship bout on Saturday in Carson, California.
PHOTO: AP
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Israel Vazquez retained his WBC super bantamweight crown in a split decision over fellow Mexican Rafael Marquez on Saturday.
In the third of their series of title bouts, judge Max De Luca scored it 114-111 for Vazquez, and James Jen Kin had Vazquez winning 113-112. Tom Kaczmarek gave Marquez a 114-111 edge.
The fight would have been called a tie if not for referee Pat Russell taking a point away from Marquez in the tenth round for persistently hitting below the belt. An additional point to Marquez would have made Kin's scorecard level.
"I had warned him several times. Finally I had to take a point away," Russell said.
Vazquez had lost the title to Marquez in March last year after suffering a broken nose before regaining it by technical knockout in an August rematch.
Vazquez came within seconds of winning by knockout. A barrages of punches sent Marquez slumping into the corner ropes in the waning seconds, and Russell looked as if he was ready to end it. But Marquez said he could continue, and by the time the two fighters were ready to re-engage, the final bell sounded.
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