Israel Vasquez to Lose Eye: Mexican Warrior Syndrome

According to boxingnewsonline, retired former WBC Champion, Israel Vasquez, is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove his right eye from damage sustained in his final fight with Rafael Marquez back in 2010.

The badly damaged eye could not be saved according to doctors. It was an option to wait out the procedure and possibly save the eye or operate now and avoid further damage. Israel chose the latter and has made peace with the fact he will live with one working eye and a prosthetic for the rest of his life.

It is always a tragedy when a boxer is permanently maimed for his dedication and effort to the sport.

Unfortunately, I see this with a growing number of "Mexican Warriors" aka Guerreros who fight anyone, anywhere, and go to toe-to-toe even when they are past their prime.

For example, in 2012 an aging Erik Morales was brutally KO'd by a much young and superior fighter in Danny Garcia. It was a vivid reminder why the 36 year old Mexican hall-of-famer had no business in the ring as he put himself in great danger. Similarly, Margarito sustained 12 rounds of brutal punishment against a phenomenal Manny Pacquioa in yet another example of Mexican Warrior-ness gone wrong. He may have had a metal chin but Margarito certainly didn't have a metal eye socket. Shamelessly, Margarito's corner man, Robert Garcia, did not throw in the towel to stop the fight and cut his guy's career short in the process. It is unlikely Margarito is ever sanctioned to fight in the States again as a result of the damaged eye.

I'm not pushing an agenda for boxing to change the rules or enforce better protection for it's fighters. On the contrary, most professionals are full aware of the danger they put themselves in on any given night chasing that money. It is, however, imperative that fighters have qualified individuals around them protecting their best interest from their "warrior" self.

Israel Vasquez will always be remembered for waging four epic battles with Rafael Marquez who split the series 2-2. That said even Vasquez probably wonders if the money and 15 minutes of fame was worth losing an eye over. Only he can answer that honestly.

It is insulting when someone like GGG markets themselves as a "Mexican Warrior" when they are anything but. In fact, he's taken on very light opposition in his career-to-date. GGG's biggest challenge will be this fall when he takes on a 147-pounder Kel Brook (who fights two full weight classes lower than middle weight). Even when GGG face big punchers like David Lemiex, he failed to fight toe-to-toe and systematically boxed his opponent to a late fight stoppage. This is not Mexican Style. It's simply false advertisement.

Canelo should avoid the "Warrior" status like a plague. He should continue to demolish the opponents put in front of him as he has been. At only 26 years of age and already highly accomplished, Canelo continues to improve with each and every fight. That said Mexican fans have been highly critical for fighting opponents at his preferred weight of 155 lbs. Canelo is unapologetic and is smart not moving up to full middle weight of 160 lbs prematurely simply to accommodate GGG, which is a fight all fans want to see.

Canelo is defying the Mexican Warrior status by making smart and calculated decisions. It will result in a prolonged and more lucrative career. The same fans who criticize Canelo are the same fans who will not create and donate to a Gofundme.com for Israel Vasquez, who will surely use the money. It is a reminder that boxing chews up its stars and spits them out without hesitation.

If Canelo is forced to return to the ring well into his late 30s, for the money or other reasons other than he's still one of the best fighters in the game, it will be a tragedy.

For now, my hats off to the warrior Israel Vasquez. I don't need to agree with his the handling of his career to respect his heart of a champion. I hope he doesn't fade away from the sport he remains a reminder to Mexican fight fans why being a "warrior" isn't always what it's cracked up to be.

After all, Jay Z said it perfectly in the Holy Grail:

- Bright lights is enticing - But look what it did to Tyson

- All that money in one night "X" mill for one fight

- But soon as all that money blows

- All the pigeons take flight"