Former world boxing champion Israel Vazquez has died.

World boxing champion according to the International Boxing Federation and the World Boxing Council (WBC) in the second lightest weight category Israel Vazquez died at the age of 46. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the news on December 3.

"Thank you, Israel, for so many great memories you gave us with your actions in the ring, but most importantly outside the ring. You are now eternal, rest in peace," Suleiman said in a post on social networking site X (formerly Twitter).

According to The Sun, Israel Vazquez died after a lengthy battle with cancer. The athlete was diagnosed with stage four sarcoma this year.

Vazquez ended his career in 2010 after his fourth fight with Rafael Marquez due to numerous injuries, including a detached retina. Throughout his time in the sport, he fought 49 fights, 44 of which he won, including 32 knockouts.