Vazquez retains WBC super bantamweight belt

Israel Vazquez registered a split decision victory over fellow Mexican Rafael Marquez to retain his World Boxing Council (WBC) super bantamweight title.

In an action-packed 12-round contest at the Home Depot Centre in California, Vazquez won a tight verdict from two of the three judges to improve his career record to 43-4 with 31 knockouts.

Vazquez, who first claimed the WBC belt in 2005 with a third-round knockout of Mexican Oscar Larios, dominated the last three rounds to seal victory.

Judge Tom Kaczmarek gave Marquez the fight by 114 points to 111 but Vazquez gained the other two verdicts 114-111 and 113-112.

"It was a hard fight and I gave my all," Vazquez, 30, told reporters. "I knew I had to finish strong."

Marquez, 32, held a slight edge early on, landing telling jabs on Vazquez's right eye before knocking the champion to the canvas in the fourth round with a powerful combination.

However, Vazquez responded with a series of upper cuts and his trademark left hook to take control and Marquez had a point deducted by referee Pat Russell in the 10th round for hitting below the belt.

Marquez, who successfully defended his International Boxing Federation bantamweight title seven times before moving up in weight, disagreed with the referee's decision.

"I hit him right on the belt line," the Mexico City native said.

"It was a clean shot. I wasn't down."