I pick Carmen to win this one. I would say he would be too strong for Jose Napoles. I am sure there will be lots of people who won't agree with this. What's your opinions please?
Barring a freak cut, Napoles beats Basilio pretty handily, frustrating Carmen with his speed and footwork.
From the film I've seen of Napoles, which isn't alot...Urbina II, Pruitt I &II, Griffith, Cokes I &II, and Lopez II. Napoles would have to be beat by someone who could force him back...either with offensive firepower or by sheer strength. Napoles is an aggressive, accurate,power puncher (with speed)...Armando Muniz commented that Napoles hit harder than Ray Leonard. That is quite a fighter to have to force onto the back foot, and not many are capable of it.But that is what you would have to do to offset Napoles...Napoles stood in the pocket, looking for opportunities to initiate offense or counter it...He was right there for better or worse...and in his case, it was much more the better...except for the Monzon fight! Basilio would have a shot. He was relentless, and very strong.
Napoles would defeat Basilio much in the same way he beat Emile Griffith, only easier. He would have probably avoided slugging with Basilio, since Carmine was so tough, and would have clinically outboxed and out slicked Basilio. The feints and accurate counterpunching would have been brilliant.
I'm not sure on the outcome of this match-up...but I am sure it would not be easy for either man. Basilio did have the strength and ability to push a fight into his pace...what makes me think that is, Carmen's fight (1st) with Gene Fullmer, he went straight at a stronger middleweight opponent and backed him up (for a time)...Fullmer is a much stronger man than Napoles...I can see Basilio having some success, but I can't say he would win though...But an easy fight for Napoles? No way. IMO.
Napoles far the more skilled ,but Basilio is one of the few pressure fighters at the weight who might be able to force him back,Carmen would have to take fearful punishment to get in and wing his left hook to the body and head but he had a much guts as any fighter Ive seen. An all out war ,with Napoles lumped up around the eyebrows ,and Basilio bleeding and battered. I' ll go with Napoles by dec ,but it would be very close .Close enough for a trio ,and I want tickets.