Israel Vazquez, three-time world champion boxer, dies from cancer at 46

Israel Vazquez, a three-time super bantamweight boxing world champion, has died from cancer at age 46.

His death was announced early Tuesday morning by World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman.

“Israel is finally resting in peace. May God give strength and support to his wife Laura, their children, family and friends during these difficult times,” Sulaiman wrote on social media. “Thank you champion for leaving such a special mark. You will always be ‘El Magnifico.'”

Trainer Freddie Roach mourned Vazquez on Instagram.

“Forever a world champion and legend in boxing. One of the best boxers I ever had the privilege of working with,” Roached captioned a photo of them after Vazquez won the WBC title. “Israel, my friend, may you rest in peace now.”

Vazquez revealed last month he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 sarcoma and was receiving treatment in Los Angeles.

“He can hardly speak and, when he does, he is short of breath. He is very weak,” his wife, Laura Vazquez, told the L.A. Times in early November.

A celebrated Mexican fighter who combined devastating punches with speed, Vazquez was most known for his rivalry with Rafael Marquez. The two faced off in four title fights, which they split. In their third fight, in 2008, Vazquez won despite suffering a detached retina which kept him out of the ring more than a year and a half.

He was able to make a comeback, but lost to Marquez in what turned out to be Vazquez’s final fight.

Vazquez was 44-5 in his career, with 32 knockouts.

He’s survived by wife Laura, sons Israel Jr. and Anthony, daughter Zoe, his parents and sister.