Rafael Marquez- Boxing Champ Ready for WAR on Cinco de Mayo

Exclusive Interview by Marc Anthony

“It’s amazing to have chosen boxing…To win a world title, you have to make sacrifices for a very long time. ” – Rafael Marquez

Rafael Marquez, 40-7, 36 KO’s, is not only well-spoken but possesses a high boxing IQ. He wowed the fans for many years, including the epic four time stanza against another great fighter in, Israel Vazquez. He won the IBF Bantamweight title on February 15th, 2003, by stoppage against Tim “Cincinnati Kid” Austin.

Rafael defended the IBF title seven consecutive times while picking up the IBO bantamweight title during the same time period. On March 3rd, 2007, he won the WBC Super Bantamweight title by defeating Israel Vazquez in an epic battle. Rafael Marquez possesses a unique blend of superior boxing talent with an aggressive mentality that makes him not only an artful fighter but also appealing to the fans.

Currently, Rafael is getting ready to fight Kenichi Yamaguchi, 17-2-2, 4 KO’s, on May 5th 2012, in Tijuana, Mexico, at Auditorio Municipal de Tijuana.

Very well spoken Rafael Marquez sits with RSR to share his thoughts on what makes a champion.

MA: What do you know about your opponent Kenichi Yamaguchi?

He is Japanese, moves a lot in the ring…he is very capable and he is a good fighter. We trained really well to make this fight a great fight for all the fans.

MA: What are your thoughts on Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs. ‘Sugar” Shane Mosley?

It’s a good fight between a Mexican fighter and an American fighter. I feel that Shane is on his way out, but he is a strong fighter, hits hard. Alvarez is young and this fight is good for him to get a bit more experience with an older fighter. Shane Mosley has faced the best fighters but I think he is on his way out

MA: You have had an amazing career with epic fights, money and fame. What keeps you dedicated in the sport?

To be disciplined and have a rule: to run, to train, to rest. You have to have a clear understanding of your job. The dedication to the sport and what in essence is your job you have to have that mental discipline for everything first and foremost and things will go well from there.

MA: What are the places that people must visit when in Mexico City?

Well, places people must visit: Downtown, the pyramids there really is millions of things to do when you come to Mexico City you won’t get bored.

MA: Any favorite place you like to shop?

I have many favorite stores. I like to shop at Gucci, Armani, Dolce and Gabbana. There are many.

MA: Do you believe “La Llorona” (Weeping Women) exists?

(Laughter) No, she doesn’t exist, but one time, it wasn’t her, but we did get scared. It’s all myth.

MA: Outside of boxing, what sports do you like to watch?

I like them all. I like fútbol (soccer), basketball, American football, baseball, swimming. I really like all sports.

MA: Favorite Fútbol team?

Yes, the powerful and best team that Mexico has: Las Chivas.

MA: Back to boxing, who wins between Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley?

Pacquiao wins

MA: Mayweather vs. Cotto?

Well Floyd wins.

MA: With no doubt?

No doubt. Floyd wins. Floyd is one of the best fighters in our time. Floyd will beat Pacquiao. You will never hit Floyd flush. He is too fast and hits hard.

MA: Why do fighters in Mexico turn pro so young?

Well, not that young. Normally, they turn pro around 17, 18, 19, 20, or 21 years of age. I say that’s the perfect age to debut as a pro, because by 28 years of age you should be fighting for a world title. Around 37-38 years of age you are going on the tail end of your career. To leave boxing in good health and mind around 40 years of age is the perfect time: to leave with all your faculties in place.

MA: Would you encourage a family member to box or find another less dangerous career?

I say it’s a sport that you have to find yourself in it. It’s an amazing sport. But you have to sacrifice like in anything, be it your work or sport. If you want to make it in life you have to make sacrifices in other things, you have to sacrifice a lot of things. I liked boxing because my dad was boxer and he would train me. When he would come back from work he would train me in our house.

Both Juan and I, he would train us both at a very young age around the age of 6. Our dad wanted us to be able to defend ourselves. But you make it into a career if you like it. And we liked it. I thank God for everything, for becoming a World Champion. It’s amazing to have chosen boxing. If you do something you like, you have to sacrifice other things to make it. To win a world title, you have to make sacrifices for a very long time.

Rafael Marquez
Division: Super Bantamweight
Professional Record: 40-7-0, 36 KO’s
2011-10-01 Toshiaki Nishioka 38-4-3 Las Vegas, US L UD 12
WBC Super Bantamweight Title
2011-07-16 Eduardo Becerril 12-7-2 Cancun, MX W RTD 6
2010-11-06 Juan Manuel Lopez 29-0-0 Las Vegas, US L RTD 8
WBO Featherweight Title
2010-05-22 Israel Vazquez 44-4-0 Los Angeles, US W KO 3
vacant WBC Silver Super Bantamweight Title
2009-05-23 Jose Francisco Mendoza 21-2-1 Monterrey, MX W TKO 3
2008-03-01 Israel Vazquez 42-4-0 Carson, US L SD 12
WBC Super Bantamweight Title
2007-08-04 Israel Vazquez 41-4-0 Hidalgo, US L TKO 6
WBC Super Bantamweight Title
2007-03-03 Israel Vazquez 41-3-0 Carson, US W RTD 7
WBC Super Bantamweight Title
2006-08-05 Silence Mabuza 19-1-0 Stateline, US W RTD 9
IBF Bantamweight Title
International Boxing Organization Bantamweight Title
2005-11-05 Silence Mabuza 18-0-0 Stateline, US W TKO 4
IBF Bantamweight Title
International Boxing Organization Bantamweight Title
2005-05-28 Ricardo Vargas 38-10-3 Los Angeles, US W UD 12
IBF Bantamweight Title
2004-11-27 Mauricio Pastrana 31-4-1 Las Vegas, US W TKO 8
IBF Bantamweight Title
2004-07-31 Heriberto Ruiz 31-2-2 Las Vegas, US W KO 3
IBF Bantamweight Title
2004-01-31 Pete Frissina 27-3-1 Phoenix, US W TKO 2
IBF Bantamweight Title
2003-10-04 Mauricio Pastrana 30-3-1 Los Angeles, US W UD 12
IBF Bantamweight Title
2003-02-15 Tim Austin 25-0-1 Las Vegas, US W TKO 8
IBF Bantamweight Title
2002-07-12 Jorge Otero 16-4-2 McAllen, US W RTD 6
2002-02-23 Mark Johnson 40-2-0 Las Vegas, US W TKO 8
vacant USBA Bantamweight Title
2001-10-06 Mark Johnson 40-1-0 Corpus Christi, US W SD 10
2001-07-06 Gerardo Espinoza 20-1-0 Tijuana, MX W TKO 4
WBA Fedecentro Bantamweight Title
2001-06-01 Miguel Ochoa 0-21-1 Merida, MX W TKO 2
2001-04-01 Jovy Chan 18-17-2 Reno, US W KO 3
2000-12-16 Aquiles Guzman 13-12-3 Maracay, VE W RTD 7
WBA Fedelatin Bantamweight Title
2000-11-12 Genaro Garcia 22-3-0 Denver, US L KO 2
2000-08-20 Tomas Rivera 14-9-2 Tucson, US W KO 2
2000-06-23 Arturo Estrada 22-30-1 Merida, MX W TKO 2
2000-04-14 Ricardo Barrera 16-3-1 Merida, MX W TKO 1
1999-08-23 Adrian Cristian Ochoa 27-12-4 Inglewood, US W TKO 4
1999-05-10 Angel Almena 14-3-0 Inglewood, US W KO 1
1999-03-08 Jose Guadalupe Gastelum 15-6-2 Anaheim, US W KO 6
1998-10-24 Ricardo Barrera 15-1-1 Las Vegas, US W KO 1
1998-08-22 Dario Diaz 0-5-1 Las Vegas, US W TKO 2
1998-06-20 Ivan Salazar 9-9-1 Las Vegas, US W KO 3
1998-05-02 Francisco Mateos 7-3-2 Mexico City, MX L TKO 3
1998-04-06 Beldevear Meza 1-2-0 Anaheim, US W KO 3
1998-03-04 Jose Felipe Garcia 2-4-0 Mexico City, MX W TKO 1
1998-01-24 Julian Mujica 3-6-1 Mexico City, MX W TKO 1
1997-11-22 Evaristo Primero 7-0-0 Las Vegas, US W TKO 4
1997-09-27 Jose Guillermo Sanchez 0-0-0 Stateline, US W TKO 3
1997-07-14 Gabriel Tinajero 2-8-0 Inglewood, US W KO 2
1997-04-21 Juan Mendoza 8-5-1 Inglewood, US W UD 6
1996-12-09 Oscar Zamora 2-3-3 Chula Vista, US W KO 2
1996-10-28 Robert Enriquez 1-0-0 Inglewood, US W KO 4
1996-05-15 Mucio Castillo 3-0-1 Mexico City, MX W TKO 1
1996-03-27 Sergio Lopez 1-4-0 Mexico City, MX W TKO 2
1996-03-03 Jose Godinez 0-2-0 Mexico City, MX W TKO 2
1995-09-14 Victor Rabanales 39-14-2 Campeche, MX L KO 8