Duran 75 vs Napoles 75

What does Napoles do better than Duran for you, Red Cobra?

And believe me, believe me, I'm not exactly a hater of Napoles.

 

i'll have duran

 

Anything prime Duran could do, Napoles, in his prime, could do better. He was, as his nickname implied, "smooth as butter"..not degrading Duran as a great fighter or champion, just saying that Napoles was slightly better...his only weakness being a tendency to cut...and his prime was over by about '70 at the latest. His welter title reigns were both post-prime...that's my opinion anyway.

 

Obviously a '75 Duran beats a spent, end of the road Napoles of '75...this is no matchup...why not matchup '51 Joe Louis with '87 Tyson?

 

Well, I disagree. Durability is a big issue for starters, as these two are hardly going to be fighting off the back foot at any weight, and so we're bound to see some vicious exchanges where Napoles would get hit. He mayb have had a granite chin (like Duran) but his skin could give way at any time.

In terms of other skills, I'm not sure that I rate Napoles over Duran in any department. He probably has technically superior footwork and could deal with moving targets better, but Duran closed the distance just as quickly in practice. Both guys are as good as it comes on the inside, but Duran's that bit more natural there for my money, really enjoying the sweaty, in-your-face stuff whereas Napoles was more happy to unload at mid-range. Roberto can fight in different positions competently, in addition to being stronger, particularly at 147 which he carried better despite Napoles' longevity at the weight IMO. Mantequilla could find himself getting pushed around a bit, which isn't a death sentence for a fighter of his class and adaptability, but it's certainly not an advantage to have Duran setting the pace or being able to pick his shots.

RE the defensive reflexes which arguably defined both their styles, there's not much in it (and I'd perhaps say again that Napoles is more well-rounded and better technically - watch how they respectively slip the right hand, for instance - Napoles gets outside it where Duran doesn't) but then Duran does have the SRL win, which just makes him that bit more proven against speed, range, size, timing etc. than Mantequilla among the slipping artists for me.

It's the kind of match-up where Jose would not be without a win in a trilogy for instance, but I really think Duran has the trump card of the cuts issue in a war as well as the more proven game in the other relevant departments. Napoles' better-roundedness would get him wins against other opponents where Duran might struggle though. Swings and roundabouts.

 

I think Duran has quite a big edge as far as getting into defensive positions for slipping and countering up close, Napoles as said is better at mid-range while controlling the temp imo.It's an area were Duran is about the best and most natural i've ever seen and which gave him a real edge over anyone he fought and really allowed him to compete up at 154 and beyond where he was physically outmatched.

In an infight i think Napoles tendency to have his head higher and chin more exposed, disdain for any sort of glove/arm defence(which he usually didn't need, but having wouldn't have made him a worse fighter and greateer tendency to cut would leave him losing more exchanges than he wins.Wouldn't be easy for Duran by any means though.

 

That's for sure. We'd see some really interesting exchanges, both guys making each-other miss and then coming back plenty.

Nice to hear you weigh in on this one.

 

Duran would edge Napoles on a decison win, which could be a late stoppage for Roberto if Jose cuts.

 

If you must keep bumping up old threads, can't you at least make a bit more effort with your posts.

 

I don't know.

 

Napoles lived on the edge. His whole thing was about establishing a nice, off-setting jab, poking holes, baiting his head and countering the **** out of whoever came his way. What made it all so seamless was great footwork and balance, a strong variety of punches and an iron jaw to shake off the mistakes.

A style like that could become painful as the reflexes slow, and that's what happened. Punches that would have just nicked Napoles on the forehead as he slipped past to land his own started to land squarely on his nose all too frequently.

By 1975 Napoles was actually a shadow of his former self. The level of speed and reactions needed to pull off his trademark counters had slipped - how could he have coped with Roberto Duran? As has been mentioned, they probably couldn't have met at that stage of their careers anyway (although I do recall reading about a possible matchup as early as 1973 - needs confirming) but if they had, all my money would be on Duran.

Napoles of 1969, that's different.

 

in terms of a prime for prime match up both men have styles advantages over the other, I'd favour Duran in that light because I think he was a bit better simply

 

Good points.Napoles would have benefited fromtightening up just a bit and bringing in slightly more glove and arm blocking/parrying as he slowed.It was something he largely lacked technically(not that it was much of an issue in his prime).