How good was Rafael Marquez?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Sep 23, 2018.


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  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He’s mostly known for his fights with Israel Vazquez. What are your thoughts on Rafael Marquez? How good was he H2H and where does he rank among the best bantamweights?
    He gets underrated these days, especially when compared to his more well known brother JMM who is an ATG. But I think he was almost as skilled a boxer with a bigger punch, better jab but was more defensively flawed.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Sep 23, 2018
    Flo_Raiden, Sep 23, 2018
    #1
  2. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He was a great fighter. He had two impressive wins over Mark Johnson who showed he still had quality when he would beat Fernando Montiel for the title two years after Marquez KO’d him. The Tim Austin win is also impressive because Austin was a long reigning champion and best in the division.

    His reign was dominant but unfortunately lacked unifications. The way he ruined the very capable Heriberto Ruiz was impressive in addition to dominant wins over Mabuza and Pastrana. I think I’d place him just outside the top 10 at Bantamweight and on Mexico’s all-time list.

    As great as those Vazquez fights were they beat their primes out of one another. Had they left it at one fight I’ve no doubt Rafael would have been the Featherweight champion too.

    As far as head to head he’d give anyone a good fight. Great jab, fight changing power in both fists, good timing and technique. He could get hurt but didn’t have his brothers recoperative powers. He’d probably rank behind Jofre, Olivares, Zarate, Ortiz, Harada, Brown in head-to-heads but maybe have a slight edge over the likes of Rose, Medel, Chandler, Castillo, Herrera etc; IMO. He’d make great fights with them all. It was rare to see Marquez in a bad fight.
     
    ChrisJS, Sep 23, 2018
    ChrisJS, Sep 23, 2018
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  3. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    He’s now qualified as a nominee for the IBHOF. Great to hear! Also love the description about him.

    Rafael Marquez learned his craft at the feet of legendary trainer Arturo “Cuyo” Hernandez. He turned professional at age twenty, losing a tough pro debut to the veteran Rabanales, and joined older brother Juan Manuel under the guidance of Ignacio Beristain. A technician out for blood, Marquez combined heavy hands with a vulnerable chin and became a crowd favorite in no time. After twenty-eight fights, he stepped up in class to meet ultra-talented Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson in October 2001. He took an unconvincing split decision win but stopped him four months later. In February 2003, he stopped undefeated Tim Austin and became The Ring’s #1 bantamweight for the next four years. Even so, it was and will forever be the four-fight series with Israel Vazquez at Jr. featherweight that places Marquez among history’s great Mexican warriors. When the smoke cleared, they stood as equals. “He had it all,” Marquez said about Vazquez. Twice, however, Marquez had more.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Oct 13, 2018
    Flo_Raiden, Oct 13, 2018
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  4. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Bump
     
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 19, 2019
    Flo_Raiden, Aug 19, 2019
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  5. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I don’t believe Cuyo was ever Rafael’s trainer. Rafael was trained by his father and by Nacho. He briefly lived (and worked in a toy factory) in Tijuana for about two years before turning pro. Cuyo died in 1990.
     
    ChrisJS, Aug 19, 2019
    ChrisJS, Aug 19, 2019
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  6. surfinghb1

    surfinghb1 Member Full Member

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    Yes Nacho started training both brothers when they were very young
     
    surfinghb1, Aug 19, 2019
    surfinghb1, Aug 19, 2019
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  7. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Yeah, their father Rafael SR was a pro fighter and friend of Nacho. He started training them then took them to the Nacho.
     
    ChrisJS, Aug 19, 2019
    ChrisJS, Aug 19, 2019
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  8. Rock0052

    Rock0052 Loyal Member Full Member

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    I remember at his peak, Rafa was the higher rated brother. Kinda crazy how JMM's late-age run turned him in to a bit of an afterthought, which is unfair. His wars with Vazquez were like Gatti-Ward on steroids and took away the primes for both fighters for good.
     
    Rock0052, Aug 19, 2019
    Rock0052, Aug 19, 2019
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  9. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Bump. Rafael Marquez is now inducted to the IBHOF. Well deserved to this warrior.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Dec 16, 2022
    Flo_Raiden, Dec 16, 2022
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  10. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Just saw that! Glad 2 c Laura Serrano (met her, got her autograph) and Pone Kingpetch (advocated 4 him 2 get in 4 years!) will get recognized 2!!!
     
    AntonioMartin1, Dec 16, 2022
    AntonioMartin1, Dec 16, 2022
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  11. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Out of the 3 who were nominated, i'd say Rafael Marquez was the only one who actually deserved to be in HOF IMO.
     
    Dynamicpuncher, Dec 16, 2022
    Dynamicpuncher, Dec 16, 2022
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  12. Young Terror

    Young Terror ★ Griselda ★ Full Member

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    Overrated just like his brother who was better than him with that said i liked him alot.
     
    Young Terror, Dec 16, 2022
    Young Terror, Dec 16, 2022
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  13. Dynamicpuncher

    Dynamicpuncher Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Overrated in what way ? Wins over Tim Austin, Mark Johnson x2, Israel Vasquez.
     
    Dynamicpuncher, Dec 16, 2022
    Dynamicpuncher, Dec 16, 2022
    #13
  14. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I don't think anyone has overrated Rafa Marquez to a point of calling him one of the best. If anything Rafael Marquez is more underrated than overrated nowadays.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Dec 16, 2022
    Flo_Raiden, Dec 16, 2022
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  15. HolDat

    HolDat Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Maybe because Too Sharp was a smaller ATG against a bigger one. Who knows?
     
    HolDat, Dec 16, 2022
    HolDat, Dec 16, 2022
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