LEGENDARY Mexican Israel Vazquez says he’s retired for good and although he misses fighting, he is happy with his new life as a trainer.
He is working with welterweight Oscar Godoy, who meets Yoshihiro Kamegai on Saturday night at the MGM Grand over eight rounds.
Kamegai went to war with Robert Guerrero, something Israel Vazquez was familiar with after a career of brutal fights.
“I have a boxing gym and I’m training fighters,” he said. “I do miss it but I just can’t continue. I miss boxing very much. If I was to be reborn I would become a fighter again but in this lifetime, no.”
Vazquez was defined by his four battles with Rafael Marquez but in 49-fight in a career that spanned 15 years.
Israel, who lives in California, said he left the fighting side of things with some great memories.
“I have a couple here at the MGM,” he said, “Some of them were on pay-per-view, but my best memories were against Rafael Marquez. There are no bad memories from boxing. I love boxing.
“We [he and Marquez] didn’t become friends but when I see him there’s respect and I admire him.”
