Sadly the great Jose Napoles has passed away today. He was 79 and had been struggling with his health for years. One of the greatest boxers of all-time.
You know it is coming because you are mid 50s and remember watching him fight when you were six and seven years old, but it is still a shock to hear that a legend is gone. I have had so many hours of joy and learned so much watching him fight.
There’s a few. Start with the Cokes fights. He dethroned a top champion via dismantling him. The fights with Ernie Lopez (both), Hedgemon Lewis (both) are high class stuff and his win over Griffith. Griffith was old but still around that time ran Monzon desperately close at middle.
RIP Champ. One of the slickest fighters of all time and is probably the flag bearer for Cuban Boxing.
The fights with Curtis Coke and Hedgeman Lewis, especially the second fights. His second fight with Ernie Lopez. The fight with Emile Griffith.
Aw man..........honestly, when Lockridge and then Pedroza passed, I guessed Napoles would be next because of his health issues of late. Perhaps the greatest living fighter. Now someone else will have to take his place.
Duran or Leonard? Sad day. Long live his legend. He gets talked about in here lots and pretty sure he was prominent in discussions just the other day.
RIP Mantequilla. One of the best, most well rounded skilled technicians that I’ve seen on film. His smooth and elegant style was such a joy to watch. He had the complete arsenal, putting together great combinations of punches and had the best footwork using minimal movement. And was also a master at blending both offense and slick defense. He will surely be missed.
Said it the other day, but bears repeating - possibly the most appropriately nicknamed fighter in history. Whenever I think of my ten favourite fighters in history to watch, Napoles is always in there. What a fighter. R.I.P champ.