The WBC stripped Monzon of his title for the Napoles 2/74 MW Title fight (for whatever the reason, maybe avoiding Rodrigo Vldes, or something else) Example: "Immediately after this bout Monzon, still in his boxing gear, hopped in a car and left for his hotel. The President of the French Boxing Federation, Bernard Restout, stated he would be filing a protest with the WBC for disciplinary action due to this action as Monzon was to immediately submit to the required post fight urinalysis. Monzon's camp claimed that the trailer, provided to the fighters, hadn't water or facilities and that Monzon preferred not to stop there for the test. Let's say the WBC instead names Rodrigo Valdes vs Jose Napoles (instead of BBriscoe) to fill the vacant WBC MW Championshp in May 1974. Who wins?????
So well stated, and so very true Robert....my feeling exactly! I love Napoles, but Sr. Valdez was just too much.
Napoles is miles more skilled but the size difference over 15 rounds would be too much one would think.
Funny enough, they're both blown up jr. welterweights. They even have a number of common opponents. I agree with many here, that Napoles is the more talented, but the letter of this query is Napoles in place of Briscoe in '74 at 160. And that is simply a bridge too far for Napoles.
Napoles is a lot more skilled and one of true greats but didn't he weight 153lbs when he fought Monzon thats below the currently light middle limit. Valdez would just be too big and powerful Jose would start well but eventually Valdez would get to him he had massive power.
Napoles and Azumah Nelson are likely my 2 favorite non Philly guys (Along with Ismael Laguna), but I don’t see Napoles winning this...I am really having trouble seeing him finish this one too. Napoles has some flashes/moments but Valdez stops him..maybe around the 10th
