Rafael Márquez Méndez (born March 25, 1975 in Mexico City, Mexico) is a boxer in the bantamweight and jr. featherweight divisions. His record is 37-3 (33 KOs). He is the former IBF and IBO world bantamweight champion and current WBC jr. featherweight world champion.

Márquez's professional boxing debut was an eighth-round knockout loss to former WBC bantamweight champion Victor Rabanales.[1]

Marquez first gained recognition by defeating perennial pound for pound legend Mark Johnson (boxer) twice. Marquez upset Johnson by a narrow split decision in 2001, marred by two point deductions for Johnson. In the rematch, Maruqez took apart Johnson, winning by TKO in the 8th round.

Márquez then fought against Tim Austin on February 15, 2003 for the IBF bantamweight championship. Márquez was behind on all three judges' scorecards when he ended the bout with a TKO victory in round 8.[1] Márquez successfully defended his title seven times since defeating Austin. His notable defenses were two victories over Mauricio Pastrana (who defeated Márquez in the amateurs), a decision victory over Ricardo Vargas, and two knock out victories over former IBO bantamweight champion Silence Mabuza, who he defeated for the second time on August 5, 2006, which was Marquez's last defense of his 118 lbs title.[1]

Marquez then moved up in weight to challenge the dangerous jr. featherweight champion Israel Vazquez, in perhaps the biggest test of Marquez's career. Marquez seemed to out box Vazquez for seven rounds, despite suffering a knock down in the third, and was ahead on two of the three judges scorecards when Vazquez quit on an injured nose. Marquez, now a two division world champion, has said that he is willing to give Vazquez a rematch.

Márquez is ranked number seven in The Ring magazine's pound-for-pound rankings.[2] He is ranked as The Ring's number one bantamweight.

Marquez's brother is former WBA and IBF featherweight champion and current WBC Super Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Márquez.
Source : Wikipedia