The Boxing world mourns former world boxing champion Israel Vazquez

Former three-time super bantamweight world champion Israel Vázquez, has passed away, it was announced today.

Israel Vazquez Castañeda, a rough and tough crowd favorite world champion over his 15-year career, succumbed to cancer at age 46.

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Three weeks ago, his wife Laura Vázquez, described his doctors as having given up on him when they provided the prognosis that he would likely not live beyond half a year.

“The doctor told us that he would have six months at the most, but I cannot give up like this, we must go to another doctor, we are already talking to another doctor who is a specialist in sarcoma because this doctor who diagnosed him is not a specialist… We are going to go to another hospital. We want a sarcoma specialist to see him,” she said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

The Aztec fighter’s health was deteriorating however, as he had advanced stage 4 sarcoma, a type of cancer of which there are up to 70 different types, that originates in the bones, as well as in the soft tissues of the body.

Through a publication shared on social networks, Mauricio Sulaimán, president of the World Boxing Council (WBC) announced the sad news of the passing of “Magnificent” Vázquez. “Now you are eternal, rest in peace, all will be well. Israel Vazquez finally rests in peace. May God give strength and support to his wife Laura, his children, family and friends during this difficult time,” he wrote.

Thank you Israel for the so many great memories that you have given us through your actions inside the ring but most importantly outside of it. You are now eternal , rest in peace, everything will be all right. pic.twitter.com/Aa91vKT6cP

— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) December 3, 2024

For his part, Australian boxer Billy Dib, who managed to beat Burkitt’s Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2022 and was later declared cancer-free in 2023, dedicated a message to the deceased former Mexican world champion. “It breaks my heart to learn of the passing of Israel Vazquez after his courageous battle with cancer. He was not only a champion, but also a true warrior in and out of the ring. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and all who admired him. May he rest in peace,” he wrote on the X platform, formerly known as Twitter.

During his time as a professional boxer, Israel Vázquez Castañeda achieved a record of 44 wins, with 32 knockouts and five losses. His memorable trilogy with two-time world champion Rafael Marquez, is considered one of the best and most exciting rivalries in recent years, with one of them named Ring Magazine’s 2007 fight of the year. Vazquez emerged victorious in two of their three encounters.

He is survived by his wife Laura, two sons – Israel Jr., and Anthony, daughter Zoe, as well as his parents and a sister.

Una imagine dice más que mil palabras , recordando el peleón que dimos @jhonnygbox y su servidor. Gran pelea de Johnny!!! pic.twitter.com/OOF38P2Wvj

— Israel Vazquez (@israelv25) April 28, 2021