did this really have to turn into a floyd mayweather jr thread? come on now, classic. Anyway I think Gavilan would taken it. I think Mantequilla has a very concise, powerful style but I see Gavilan using his superior skillset, feints, and chin to pull out a UD.
I like Napoles by razor-thin decision. Gavilan is tough to catch, and Mantequilla is pressed to the limit here.
As I said in a previous thread about this match-up, the taller but perhaps stronger Gavilan would actually have the advantages in an all-out war while Napoles might be better off trying to move in close with his trademark style, score with his combinations and get out of range before Gavilan gets to respond with his savage combinations. Gavilan was never outclassed entirely while Napoles never lost except on cuts, so I'd expect a close and competitive match-up here between two generally aggressive and crowd-pleasing fighters. The bolo punch would be displayed on both sides.
Like I said I think his feinting was superior. I think he put combinations a hair together quicker than Jose did, and threw a better uppercut. In his career he exhibited a variety of styles. He could swarm. He could fight in a cagey, defensive rhythm. He had pretty good head movement. I also think he was pretty good in a clinch. I'm not sure on footwork. I think Mantequilla was more concise in that department but Gavilan is just weird, weird, and quick to boot. It's a close, close fight, but I think Gavilan would edge it. If he could withstand a Ray Robinson beating then I think he could weather through Napoles. I HAVE seen more of Gavilan than Napoles though, so I might be biased on this matchup. I rate Jose higher, for what its worth.
Really? I think it's Gavilan's best punch. The bolo he throws is consistent and tends to find it's target very very often.
I think Gavilan's bolo was often more flashy than effective. He did his best work with the jab and the sharp-shooting right hand, as well as the ferocious combinations he threw with the uppercuts mixed in. Napoles tended to loop his uppercuts at times, possibly as homage to Gavilan, but he could throw brutal compact ones as well, perhaps best displayed in the rematch against Ernie 'Red' Lopez.
Even Napoles's bolo uppercuts were powerful, unlike Gavilan's. Otherwise I agree with TheGreatA's post.
I`ve already done that, stopped paying attention to modern boxing about two years ago and very rarely watch any fights happening today, the fight game is utter **** in this day and age and sadly I don`t think it will ever rebound in popularity or quality. As for how this matchup would unfold, I like Gavilan to box smartly behind his underrated jab and not take too many chances against Mantequilla to win a chessmatch type of fight. I do expect fireworks at some point in the fight though what with the Cuban pride at stake, but otherwise methinks the bout will unfold similarly to Gavilan`s bout vs Carmen Basilio with Napoles the patient, stalking aggressor and Gavilan playing the role of the matador.
You think Gavilan will do the better work from range, B(_)LL? That's the area I'd give Napoles the slight edge in, personally.