Wilfredo Vazquez Sr. was a seasoned two-weight world champion, who later became three-weight world champion. He was a veteran of eight world title fights and fought outside his native Puerto Rico across them all.

Vazquez had stopped Thierry Jacob in December 1992 and returned six months later for the rematch.

"As soon as the [first] fight was over, they weren't satisfied and quickly asked for a rematch," Vazquez told The Ring.

"We received a good offer for a rematch, and it was the biggest offer at that moment. I knew I could beat him again, so we took it. I begun training as hard or even harder than before, so there would be no doubt - because I knew they would come back strong again. He was tough and I knew they wanted revenge."

In between their first fight and the rematch, the 32-year-old sandwiched in an interim fight.

He retained his title with a 12-round points win against Luis Mendoza and still had three months to prepare. That camp initially began in Puerto Rico, and then as usual for 21 days in Toluca, Mexico at high altitude - some 8,700 feet above sea level - under the watchful eye of trainer Lalo Medina and his assistant Angel Rosario.

"I won all my world titles abroad," he said. "I was not afraid of fighting abroad and at the end of the day there is only two people in the ring.

"I adapted to fighting abroad, so going back to France didn't both me at all - plus it was great because I got to travel and see the whole world."

Vazquez flew from Mexico City to Paris and on to Biarritz, where they stayed at a beachfront hotel for 10 days before the fight.

During his stay in southwestern France, Vazquez and his team were treated well by the host promoter, Michel Acaries. The press conference and weigh-in passed without incident.

Vazquez was bang on the divisional limit of 122-pounds, while the challenger tipped the scales at 120.75 pounds.

The defending champion kept to himself and remained at the hotel with his team for much of his stay.

"That day I woke up early, had breakfast, hydrated well, and rested the entire day, so I'd have strength for the big fight that night," he said.

It proved to be the quiet before the storm.

"We travelled by bus around two hours to the arena, where there were lots of fans waiting for the bus screaming, chanting and trying to scare us," he recalled. "That never worked with me because I was used to hostile territory."

Another tough fight ensued but again Vazquez prevailed.

"It was a tough fight," he said looking back. "I suffered a massive cut but managed to control the fight and won.

"Toward the end of round nine, I hurt him — but the bell saved him. When round 10 started, I hurt him again, and decided to go all in so I could finish him, because he was a very strong opponent and I couldn't let that moment slip — the fight was very close."

At the time of the stoppage midway through Round 10, the fight was finely poised. All three judges were neutral, Francisco Burac had Vazquez narrowly ahead 87-86, Ove Ovesen had Jacob leading 88-84 but Justo Vasquez couldn't separate them and had it even 87-87.

"It was a much tougher fight than the first one," he said. "Jacob came more dangerous and more determined to try to take the victory."

Vazquez and his team celebrated their win in the ring when things quickly went array.

"When the referee stopped the fight people started storming in the ring," said Tuto Zabala, who was part of Vazquez's team. "Real mad fans trying to intimidate us ever since the bus got to the arena."

Thankfully nobody was hurt and they were able to celebrate the triumph on the bus ride back by singing and having fun.

From there Vazquez returned home and rested for a week before resuming training again.

He received an offer to take his title on the road, this time to Japan to face Hiroaki Yokota, who he outpointed over 12 rounds in November 1993.

"He was used to fighting abroad. Thailand, Japan, Italy, he fought everywhere, always in the other fighter's hometown," Zabala added. "When we took him for his homecoming, his 10th defense in Puerto Rico, he lost. He fought better on the road."