Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez IV: Round-by-Round Results and Analysis

We're getting set for the fourth showdown in the incredible series between Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez. The Staples Center in L.A. is the venue, and Larry Fitzgerald, David Arquette, Charlize Theron and Gary Shandling are among the notable personalities on hand.

Gus Johnson, Al Bernstein and Antonio Tarver are on hand to call the action. Bernstein says this is the best rivalry he's seen in his 30 years covering boxing. He narrates a video package that explains some of the reasons why.

The announcers look inside the numbers from the first three fights. All three men agree that Marquez has a good chance to even the series if he can control the jabbing game and make it more tactical.

Marquez enters the ring first to some traditional Mexican music. He is 38-5 in his pro career but 1-2 in this series. This is his first fight since parting ways with trainer Nacho Beristain.

Vazquez has a traditional ring walk as well. He is 44-4, but the announcers say there are some questions about his eyes and the punishment he took in his last fight, which was supposed to be a tune-up for tonight.

The tale of the tape shows slight height and reach advantages for Marquez. Rafa is three years older, but Vazquez started his career earlier and has boxed more rounds as a pro.

Classy Jimmy Lennon Jr. does the fighter intros, and we are set to go for a scheduled 12 rounds.

Round One

Vazquez lands first with a nice right hand. Both men try to find the range with their jabs. Vazquez is enjoying some early success with his jab. Marquez lets his hands go for a nice combination. Short hooks land both ways inside. More hooks and some grabbing forces the ref to break them up. Marquez keeps pumping his jab, and Israel is already showing some redness on his face. Some light shots land from short range for both fighters. Vazquez connects with a left hook but gets hit with several punches in return.

Tylwalk: 10-9 Marquez
Uatu: 10-9 Marquez

Round Two

Israel is already cut over his left eye. He's coming forward, trying to get inside Rafael's jab. Marquez scores with a nice right hand, and then a left hook. Rafa is using good combo punching to keep his foe back. Vazquez is forced to club away when he can get in tight. Marquez hooks around the guard and covers up to block the return fire. Vazquez charges forward until Marquez forces him back. Marquez peppers Vazquez to the head and body as the crowd responds.

Tylwalk: 10-9 Marquez
Uatu: 10-9 Marquez

Round Three

The referee has ruled that the cut was caused by a punch. It's already looking pretty nasty. Marquez has decided to stand and trade in the center of the ring. Vazquez is cut on the right eye too, but the ref says this one is from a head butt. A looping right hand by Marquez drops Vazquez to a knee. He gets up before the 10 count, but we'll see what he has left. Marquez pours it on, smashing Vazquez back into the ropes. He can't stop the onslaught, and the ref decides he's seen enough.

The winner by KO at 1:33 of Round 3, Rafael Marquez.

Tarver says the cut near Vazquez's left eye is one of the worst he's ever seen in boxing. He hints that he'd like to see Vazquez retire instead of doing more damage to his eyes. Bernstein says Rafa's hand speed and accuracy were just too much tonight.

Inside the ring. Marquez says he was bothered a lot by losing the third fight on the cards, and he wanted to be a clear victor tonight. He says targeting the eyes was part of the plan, and it worked very well.

Marquez feels Vazquez was effective during the first two rounds, hitting him with some good shots. He also thinks switching trainers helped him a lot.

Asked about the possibility of a fifth fight, Marquez says it could happen if the fans want it.

Vazquez says he is okay and can see out of both eyes. He says he was not thinking about the chance of his eye opening up when the fight began, but Marquez hit him with a good shot and it happened.

Israel thinks he would be willing to do a fifth fight if California grants its blessing. He guesses it would take five or six months to heal up, plus he may need surgery to try to fix his eyes the best way possible.

Marquez says his opponent is a great fighter and a great human being. He offers up Vic Darchinyan as a potential opponent as he moves on with his career.

Nick Tylwalk is the editor and co-founder of BoxingWatchers.com . Follow his Twitter feed @Nick_Tylwalk or the site's feed @boxing_watchers .