Yep. The weight was Napoles's least of worries.The height and reach of Monzon was big aswell. Napoles did have a good start.
At the time Napoles was given an excellent chance to win this one. He had Angelo Dundee in his corner, and he was really pumped up to win.
Napoles was just completely overmatched physically in this one, despite both men being at a similar level as far as their overall abilities went. Classic case of a great big man vs a great smaller man, and the difference size can make with all other things being equal.
Case of a man who could have fought at light heavyweight facing a man who could have fought at lightweight. Here's a post-fight article: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1088283/index.htm
He was just as good at his peak as Monzon was at his peak, IMO. I never mentioned weights, as it's pretty well known that Napoles was at his apex fighting in the 135-140 range. That he was such a force as a Welterweight just speaks to his phenomenal skills.
Yes Carlos was at home at 160 and great, Jose was a perfect 147 but was 5"7 and was a lightweight but he was great at 147
Mickey Walker wasn´t even as tall as Napoles and look what he did. I think those wins for Monzon get a bit selled short. I would pick Napoles above plenty of good mw contenders like Pavlik - just because the discussion is going in the other thread.
:goodi agree,i also believe that had monzon challenge foster he ,monzon would've been KO'd too, the same way foster came unstuck versus frazier. very clearly defined lines between the divisions at that time.
The size advantage was almost comic. That said, I was impressed with Monzon. Napoles looked to be walking him all over him at the start, giving him all sorts of tricky head movement. Turned out Monzon was just spending several rounds sussing Napoles out and then effortlessly turned on the class, picking him off on the way in and it was all one-way traffic from there.
I agree Duran was 5"7, I think it was more of the age factor and having Napoles put on weight vs a younger bigger fighter. Styles were also a factor but Napoles was on the slide