More Skilled: Jose Napoles or Sugar Ray Leonard ??

I think Napoles was more technically solid, while Leonard was more adaptable. So... pfft. Beats me.

 

Floyd Mayweather

 

But seriously, Napoles is seriously impressive. Very fluid, but gets hit more than Leonard.

Napoles fought from what, 135-160 (even if once and a loss)? He lost plenty along the way against lesser opposition at the lower weights. Don't know the details behind those losses, but Leonard's loss in his prime was against a demon on a mission in Duran the first fight.

Leonard, by the time he was a middle, was inconsistent and half the fighter he was at welter... As pointed out in the other thread, Leonard didn't carry his skill, or better put, he wasn't as effective at higher weights.

I don't know. I'd say the biggest thing that separates them is Leonard's better defense.

I'm interested to hear what smarter people than me have to say on the matter...

 

Napoles for pure skill..Leonard was flashier. I'll say Mantequilla!!

 

Napoles beats Mayweather's ass.

 

LOL, here we go again!

 

I knew someone would get it.

 

Napoles was pretty flashy himself... I'm always impressed with Napoles. Great counterpuncher. Real fluid.

I think he reached too far at welter.

Question: Did he go up to welter out of necessity, or for money/challenge? Could he have continued to make 135 or 140 for longer?

 

Leonard.

 

I'm one of the few who wasn't overly impressed with Jose. I though he largely ignored developing a good jab due to his skills at counterpunching, and while he hit hard with both hands I thought for all he had that he wasn't a complete combination puncher. Stamina, hard hitter, unique slipping and his own footwork, but I would favor Benitez, Luis Rodrigues at his best, and maybe a smaller Pryor over him.

 

I thought combination punching was one of his better assets, perhaps not at the end of his career though. He would counter opponents with pin-point accurate combinations which is always a difficult feat to pull off. His jab was always there to make his opponents think as he made his way closer and against pressure fighters of similar size it served its purpose to keep them at bay.

Leonard was more talented but Napoles was more skilled in my estimation. He was not a young, superbly talented 5'10 welterweight with explosive speed, yet he did rather well at 147.

A video I made of him:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR-kuFNSXrA[/ame]

 

I remember this one. Great work, man.

 

Great vid, A-

You gotta love a fighter who mixes it up and chooses to bang like Napoles. He sure didn't have to. He had the skills to be patient, box and move, take much less punishment, and win the easy way.

He chose to win the fun way, the entertaining way. Gotta respect that.

 

GreatA...that was a GREAT tribute vid. Can't say enough about Mantequilla...