Still They Came

WBC super bantamweight champion Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez at the postfight news conference after their third fight, March 1, 2008, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Vazquez won by a split decision. Photo by Tom Casino/SHOWTIME.

They stood in front of each other for twelve rounds, both knowing that one had a slight edge in power, the other in technique. They had each stopped the other, splitting their last two fights, within a year, yet they both advanced fearlessly, without questions or complaints. They both knew from the opening bell that this would be yet another war, with the outcome uncertain, but with their bodies certain to be bloodied and racked with pain afterwards, and still they came. They threw jabs and uppercuts and straight rights and left hooks from every angle imaginable, all the while knowing that their counterpart would do the same, and land about as frequently as they would. Still they came, still they battered one another, still they took it all in stride.

This was glory in the ring, valor on TV, and the best boxing has to offer. Arguments about the referee’s calls, the possibility of a fourth meeting, and so on, while they have their place, are petty in comparison to the need to celebrate and honor this classic performance.

In an age when mediocrity is shamelessly paraded and peddled to the public, here was true greatness, here was historic nobility on display before our eyes.

This is the replay schedule in the U.S. for the third fight between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez:

DAY CHANNEL
Monday, March 3, 8:00 p.m. ET/PT SHO EXTREME
Tuesday, March 4, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT SHO 2
Wednesday, March 5, 11 p.m. ET/PT SHOWTIME

My guess is that Showtime will add more replays as the word spreads about the significance, ferocity, and beauty of this fight.

If you say you are a fight fan and failed to catch this battle the first time, do not fail again.