By Miguel Rivera

This past Saturday night, Wilfredo "Papito" Vazquez Jr. spoiled the farewell party of former triple world champion Cristian "El Diamante" Mijares.

Vazquez, who reappeared in a ring for the first time since he was knocked out in the eleventh round against Juanma Lopez on October 29, 2016, was brought down to the Centennial Auditorium of Gomez Palacio, Durango, Mexico, to serve as the opponent - to face a former world champion with a winning record but who had lost seven of his last 12 fights - to serve as the final career opponent for Mijares.

Vazquez (25-7-1, 20 KO's), however, knocked out the local idol in the third round with a powerful right hook that broke the nose of Mijares, who collapsed in his corner and stayed down for the regulatory count of 10.

While checking on Mijares (59-9-2, 27 KO's), Vazquez approached his corner and thanked him for the opportunity.

"I do not work to make them see me as being bigger than you. I work to provide food for my family, for me it was an honor to fight with you, which is a great champion and a great figure of boxing," Vazquez told Mijares.

In the televised interview, Vazquez made it clear that he will continue to fight and that he hopes to receive an opportunity for a world title in due course .

"I faced a great legend and that is the only thing that fills me with pride. I can say that I climbed into the ring with a great champion," said Vazquez, who said he was training for 16 weeks with Angel Martinez and the result of that work was seen in the ring.

"I have a dream and a desire. I want to be world champion again. It has gone bad for me, but [on Saturday night] I showed that I still have material, I have the desire, I am hungry and I hope that the World Boxing Council gives me a great opportunity for a world title," he concluded.