Peak 1972 Jose Mantequilla Napoles vs Peak 1983 Marlon Starling, 147 lbs, 15 rounds.

Good call on this one,Richard. Napoles all the way,for me. Too good for Marlon in too many areas - power,speed etc. The only category where Marlon would match 'Mantequila' is defence and that is why the bout would go the distance.

Butter spreads over magic by 4 points or more.

 

A pleasure.

 

Napoles by UD in a much closer fight than expected. People underrate Starling.

 

I love starling but Napoles was simply better

 

Interestingly, I've always thought there were genuine similarities between Napoles and Curry, in terms of their economy of movement, hatred of wasting any punches, ability to apply pressure and carry the fight to an opponent without giving up easy shots, fluidity of their combinations etc.

As we know, Curry established superiority over Starling twice, albeit both fights were very competitive, and given that Napoles was a similar talent to Curry but with the added bonus of a little more grit and consistency at championship level, I'd have to back him to do the same. Starling is way too good to be disgraced here, and he might well take Napoles the distance, but unless Napoles' famously tender eyebrows let him down I think he takes this one, in what would likely be a very high-quality and interesting fight.

 

" The Magic Man " was very good defensively, and had a great chin when punches did get through. He was very well skilled , especially with counter punching.
But he could be taken out of his game, and made reluctant to let his hands go.
Against "Mantequilla" this would be the reason he'd lose a UD. Even against Napoles in 1972. By that year Napoles was past his best years.
But he still had a gear Starling never showed the entirety of his career.
And if in relatively the best shape he could be in, Napoles wouldn't have much of a problem beating Starling. Especially if he lights him up early, Starling, the classic counter puncher would become reluctant to throw punches Because of what's coming back at him. (Napoles was a harder puncher)
Lose a 12 or 15rd fight by UD.

 

That's a post. Great to see Starling get his due. The guy was only half a level off the top rung IMO....oh so close. His all round game was STRONG, loads of skill, good punch, brilliant defense and countering, good chin, decent speed and super footwork.

Eddie Futch - "He moves so well, and when he's on, he controls everything in the ring."

Futch also said Staring reminded him of the olden days.

 

great fight here Richard.. Even tho I think Marlon was better in the later years after 83, and he has so many tough fights on his resume with some strong guys.. and I get the Curry Napoles comparison by the others but Curry was much bigger than jose.. and Marlon as well and stronger which easily keeps him in this fight .. No KO here .. its a frustrating fight here for Marlon imo... Jose too good of a technician and will outpoint that defense .. Marlon will be busy with it too much in this fight and not counter effectively.. Jose 10 - 5 UD

 

even tho different weights an interesting fight might be aaron Pryor vs Starling .. sort of 2 more rugged off balance styles .. I would certainty take Pryor over Breland any day
I dont know richard? what you think of that matchup

 

Better than he was in 1969? with victories over Cokes x2 and Griffin.