It was announced in the press teleconference on Thursday, May 28, by Mexico's Israel Vazquez and his team that Vazquez has been given the medical clearance by the California State Athletic Commission to return to the ring after 14 months of inactivity due to his detached retina. The injury happened in his 2008 "Fight of the Year" against Rafael Marquez.
They also announced that Vazquez is officially relinquishing the Ring Junior Featherweight (122 lbs.) title and will move up to Featherweight in his comeback fight. Subsequently, the Ring removed Vazquez from their ratings page last weekend.
Roughly 5 months ago, Vazquez was also stripped of his WBC belt and was given the "champion emeritus" title. This gives Vazquez a free shot on challenging a WBC title holder of his choice. The current WBC 126-lb. champ is Takahiro Aoh but is scheduled to defend his title on July 14. The widely sought after fight will be a continuation of his epic trilogy with Marquez. Juan Manuel Lopez, the WBO Junior Featherweight champ, was also mentioned as a possible opponent provided Lopez moves up to 126.
With one less title for Mexico, the US regains sole lead in the tally. Here's the updated list.
They also announced that Vazquez is officially relinquishing the Ring Junior Featherweight (122 lbs.) title and will move up to Featherweight in his comeback fight. Subsequently, the Ring removed Vazquez from their ratings page last weekend.
Roughly 5 months ago, Vazquez was also stripped of his WBC belt and was given the "champion emeritus" title. This gives Vazquez a free shot on challenging a WBC title holder of his choice. The current WBC 126-lb. champ is Takahiro Aoh but is scheduled to defend his title on July 14. The widely sought after fight will be a continuation of his epic trilogy with Marquez. Juan Manuel Lopez, the WBO Junior Featherweight champ, was also mentioned as a possible opponent provided Lopez moves up to 126.
With one less title for Mexico, the US regains sole lead in the tally. Here's the updated list.
As of June 2, 2009
Rank | Country | No. of Titles | Title Holders |
1st | USA | 9 |
|
2nd | Mexico | 8 |
|
3rd | Puerto Rico | 7 |
|
4th | Ukraine | 5 |
|
5th (4 are tied) | Argentina | 4 |
|
5th (4 are tied) | Armenia | 4 |
|
5th (4 are tied) | Japan | 4 |
|
5th (4 are tied) | Panama | 4 |
|
9th | Philippines | 3 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Hungary | 2 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Poland | 2 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Romania | 2 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Thailand | 2 |
|
10th (5 are tied) | Venezuela | 2 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | Colombia | 1 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | Denmark | 1 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | Germany | 1 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | Ghana | 1 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | Indonesia | 1 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | Italy | 1 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | Nicaragua | 1 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | Russia | 1 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | South Africa | 1 |
|
15th (10 are tied) | UK | 1 |
|
hey bro, kmusta na? hope all is well with you.
ReplyDeletegood to see israel vasquez back... though with that last injury of his, i truly wonder just how much longer he should keep going on with boxing.
thanks for the updated tally, and hopefully after june 13th, we'll see Rodel Mayol's name on there as the title holder of the WBO 108/Ring Magazine 108 hehe... which could catapult us into a 3rd place tie with Ukraine!
it's all good bro. hope all's well with you too.
ReplyDeletevazquez is truly unbelievable. that was a serious eye injury and it still didn't stop him from coming back.
if mayol upsets calderon, he deserves a manny-like parade in the philippines. early reports indicate that the calderon-mayol fight is not in the televised hbo card. i'm sure it will be in pinas. i'm close to making a decision on catching it live. economics will most likely prevent me from doing so. take it easy bro...