A fight that got away, Jose Mantequilla Napoles vs Antonio Cervantes at 147 lbs.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Richard M Murrieta, May 14, 2022.



  1. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    A fight that got away, Jose Mantequilla Napoles vs Antonio Cervantes at 147 lbs. Antonio would have had to move up 7 pounds to fight the great Napoles, this fight was talked about prior to Carlos Monzon vs Jose Mantequilla Napoles in Feb 1974. Who wins and why?
     
    Richard M Murrieta, May 14, 2022
    Richard M Murrieta, May 14, 2022
    #1
  2. Titan1

    Titan1 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Jose by 13th round TKO. A tad bit better and more experienced than Antonio.
     
    Titan1, Aug 13, 2022
    Titan1, Aug 13, 2022
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  3. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Titan, I wouldn't argue too much on your result. It could go that way. But I would dispute Napoles being more experienced than Cervantes. Cervantes had been a pro for 10 years by the proposed date of the fight, had engaged in 7 world title fights and had been the 15 round distance on 3 occasions. We could dispute the level of competition they had both met, but I would say experience was negligible.
     
    scartissue, Aug 13, 2022
    scartissue, Aug 13, 2022
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  4. Reinhardt

    Reinhardt Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Cervantes was a very good fighter but Napoles was a very , very good welterweight. Be hard for Antonio to go the distance
     
    Reinhardt, Aug 13, 2022
    Reinhardt, Aug 13, 2022
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  5. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Napoles stops him imo.
     
    Fergy, Aug 13, 2022
    Fergy, Aug 13, 2022
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  6. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I agree,Fergy. Napoles was just a little to good for Cervantes at this weight.
     
    Stevie G, Aug 14, 2022
    Stevie G, Aug 14, 2022
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  7. Richard M Murrieta

    Richard M Murrieta Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Jose Mantequilla Napoles began his pro career in 1958 in Cuba, when fighters could fight at a professional level prior to Fidel Castro's takeover on Jan 1 1959. Napoles career ended on Dec 6 1975 with his title loss to John H. Stracey by TKO 6. I do not think that Antonio Cervantes career began in 1957.
     
    Richard M Murrieta, Aug 14, 2022
    Richard M Murrieta, Aug 14, 2022
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  8. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Nor do I. But it’s as I said, after 10 years as a pro, having engaged in 7 world title fights by the proposed fight and having been 15 rounds on 3 occasions, there is little between these fighters where one could say fighter A is more experienced than fighter B. It’s like splitting hairs at that point.
     
    scartissue, Aug 14, 2022
    scartissue, Aug 14, 2022
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  9. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Napoles wasn't a big Welterweight. He probably could have been perfect at 140. Even more devastating. Either way Jose comes out the winner.

    I would wager on this one.
     
    ETM, Aug 15, 2022
    ETM, Aug 15, 2022
    #9