At the age of 31, Bryan is a 13-year pro. A former two-time WBA interim super featherweight world champion, he won the title for the first time in November, 2011, and made one successful title defense before vacating the title to challenge for the WBA world title in December, 2012. He won the WBA interim title for the second time in October, 2013, made one more successful title defense in April, 2014, then lost the title at the weigh-in when he did not make weight for his second scheduled title defense in December, 2014.
Bryan is married to WBA/WBO female super welterweight world champion Hanna Gabriels, who is currently 18-2-1, 11 KOs.
In his last fight on September 14, 2018, in Fresno, California, he won a 10-roud unanimous decision against Carlos Cardenas.
Fightnews.com’s’ David Robinett reported from ringside [excerpts]: Bryan Vasquez continued his quest towards another title opportunity against journeyman Carlos Cardenas, earning an easy ten-round unanimous decision fighting at lightweight, by scores of 96-94, 96-94, 98-92.
After Cardenas had some success early landing with power punches behind a stiff jab, Vasquez put an end to that in round four, unleashing a series of left and right hooks to the body that visibly hurt Cardenas. Vasquez eased off the gas the following round, content to potshot Cardenas from distance so long as Cardenas didn’t push the pace too aggressively.
Vasquez got some solid rounds while waiting for his next big fight. The close margin on two of the scorecards was more a symptom of Vasquez coasting for periods during the fight rather than Cardenas being competitive with the former champion. [End Robinett item]
Bryan is experienced against good opposition and has impressive wins to his credit against Santos Benavides (W12), Jorge Lacierva (TKO9), Rene Gonzalez (TW5), Jose Felix Jr. (W12), and Sergio Thompson (TKO9). His three losses have all come against world champions – Takashi Uchiyama, Javier Fortuna, and Ray Beltran – two in world title challenges.
Bryan said through an interpreter, “I consider myself a very intelligent boxer. I adapt very well to any style. I love to control the opponent, and let him know that I’m superior to him.”
Manager Hector Fernandez added, “Bryan does have a nickname – it’s ‘Tiquito.’ They call people from Costa Rica ‘ticos’ and tiquito means ‘little tico,’ or a small Costa Rican. But he doesn’t use it in the ring. He’s introduced as just Bryan Vasquez.”
AMATEUR, PERSONAL BACKGROUND: Bryan said through an interpreter, “I was born and raised in San Jose, Costa Rica. I have three brothers and one sister. I don’t have contact with my mother or father – I was raised by my grandmother. I’m the only boxer in my family.
“I started boxing when I was 14 years old. I was really not interested in boxing, but a friend of mine took me to the gym. I lost my first three amateur fights, then I changed trainers and I started winning. I started liking boxing and found out that it was a great sport. It fascinated me, and I got married with boxing.
“I had 101 amateur fights with seven losses. At 15, I entered some of the national tournaments and I was national champion in Costa Rica for three years in a row, but I don’t remember which years. At 15, I competed in the Central American Games in Nicaragua. but that was my only international experience. [note: results not currently available] At 17 I turned professional.
“I’m naturally left-handed. Hanna Gabriels is my wife [note: WBA/WBO female super welterweight world champion, currently 18-1-1, 11 KOs], and we have a four-year-old daughter. Her name is Mia. I met Hanna in the gym maybe about 12 years ago, and we’ve been married for about eight years. We train together a lot.”…
STRENGTHS: Has an aggressive style, good skills and movement…has good punching power…is naturally left-handed, can switch effectively to the left-handed stance…is experienced against very good opposition…
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: 41 fights…244 total rounds…20 world championship rounds…47 interim world championship rounds…
AVERAGE LENGTH OF BOUTS: 5.9 rounds…
KNOCKOUT PERCENTAGE: of total fights – 48 %…of wins – 54 %…
DISTANCE FIGHTS: 12 rounds – 3 (2-1)…11 rounds – 2 (2-0)…10 rounds – 3 (2-1)…
