After 18 years in boxing and world titles in two weight classes, Rafael Marquez has announced his retirement for boxing.
Marquez’s decision comes after suffering his second consecutive knockout loss on September 9 against Efrain Esquivias. Marquez also received an orbital fracture in the defeat, which was his third KO loss in his last five fights.
“I was injured during my last bout. I can’t keep fighting like this, so I’ve decided to conclude my career,” Marquez told SecondsOut.com.
Turning pro in 1995, Marquez won his first major title in 2003 with an eighth round knockout over Tim Austin to secure the IBF bantamweight title. He would dominate the division for the next three years, making six successful defenses (five by knockout). He would move up to super bantamweight in 2007 and engage in brutal tetralogy with Israel Vazquez. Marquez would win the WBC super bantamweight title in their first encounter via a seventh round stoppage. They would eventually split the series at two apiece.
Marquez’s last two title attempts were losing efforts to Juan Manuel Lopez in 2010 (RTD8, WBO featherweight), and Toshiaki Nishioka (UD12, WBC super bantamweight) in 2011.
Marquez leaves the ring with a record of 41-9 (37 KOs).
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Those of you who’ve watched boxing long enough will remember a time when Rafael’s brother, Juan Manuel, was considered the “other” Marquez brother. Rafa was that explosive and dominant during his bantamweight run. And you’d be hard-pressed to find a more dramatic action series than his wars with Israel Vasquez.
I would have liked to have seen Marquez pack it in a few years earlier, but I’m nonetheless happy to see a future Hall of Famer begin enjoying his family.
Beats, Boxing and Mayhem 