March 2007 holds a special place in Mexican boxing history. Within just fourteen days, two brothers, Juan Manuel Marquez and Rafael Marquez, each held a WBC world title. On March 17, the elder sibling, Juan Manuel, captured the super featherweight crown. Two weeks earlier, Rafael had claimed the bantamweight title. In a nation that takes immense pride in its boxing heritage, the Márquez brothers added their own chapter of glory. And they gave full credit to their parents. “Our parents told us there are many ways to live. We knew about the bad ways of the street guys. We wanted to be nice guys, to play sports and live well,” Juan Manuel Marquez said at the time.

Sadly, one of the key figures behind their journey is no more. Just hours ago, WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán confirmed the passing of Don Rafael Marquez Enriquez, the father of Juan Manuel and Rafael. His quiet but powerful influence helped shape not just champions but men. His death casts a new shadow over a boxing world still mourning the recent losses of Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Don Elbaum.

Wishing Don Rafael Marquez Enriquez eternal peace, WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman shared on social media: “The boxing family of the world united for the sensible passing of Mr. Rafael Marquez, father of our champions Juan Manuel and Rafael Marquez. May he rest in peace.”

The post was accompanied by two poignant photos of Don Marquez. One from his youth, another from his later years. Both show him in a classic boxing stance. Boxing never left him. Perhaps there’s a reason for that. Raised in the impoverished, crime-ridden alleys of Iztacalco, Mexico City, Rafael Marquez Enriquez, himself a former professional fighter, introduced his sons to boxing at an early age. He taught them not just how to fight in the ring, but how to fight for a better life.

The World Boxing Council also paid tribute through its official platforms: “In memory of Rafael Márquez Enríquez. We join the boxing family’s grief, especially Carmen, Juan Manuel, and Rafael Márquez Méndez, as well as their mother, siblings, and grandchildren. We hope they find comfort in this difficult time and send our deepest condolences for this irreparable loss.”

Don Rafael Marquez Enriquez was never a public figure. Little is recorded or known about his personal life beyond his close-knit family.

Rafael Marquez Enriquez: The unsung cornerstone of Mexican boxing

But there is one thing he is remembered for: his deep love for boxing. As a former professional fighter, he passed that knowledge and passion down to his sons. He taught them the values of hard work and discipline. Two qualities that are essential to success in the ring.

His perseverance and dedication paid off. Juan Manuel Marquez, celebrated for his technical brilliance and ring IQ, became a four-weight world champion. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2020 and is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters of his era, thanks in part to his epic rivalries with Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera.

His younger brother, Rafael Marquez, followed suit. A 2023 IBHOF inductee and two-division world champion, Rafael gained legendary status through his unforgettable four-fight war with Israel Vázquez. Bouts that remain iconic in boxing history. (Vazquez sadly passed away in December last year.)

Don Rafael Marquez Enriquez is no longer with us in body. But his spirit and legacy endure in the discipline, achievements, and humility of the champions he raised. The boxing world will deeply miss Don Rafael Marquez Enriquez.

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