How many rounds did Monzon lose to Napoles before stopping him?

Like I said, I still consider Monzon a great fighter.

 

Mark, the fight only went 6 rounds...with Napoies not being able to answer the bell for the 7th. Monzon was a slow starter, and never scored a ko in the first round. He started very slowly and was very methodical and deliberate, especially after '72-'73 when encroaching arthritis made him modify his style from the right handed block buster who executed Benvenuti to a more patient, again, more methodical fighter. He didn't thumb Napoles..."he thumbed me" is and always was a persistent refrain from all fighters who suffered eye or facial injuries...whether that was a valid excuse or not....even the great Mantequilla was an excuse maker...much like JC Chavez, and that Master of Excuses, Roberto Duran himself. Monzon didn't need to thumb Napoles...he did the damage with his fists...and if Monzon did get hit with counter,...well so what!! He was fighting the great Mantequilla Napoles...and imagine what Mantequilla would have done to a lesser fighter than Monzon...what do you think Napoles was, chopped liver, or something??? There are several videos of this fight, and in the commentary, no one grouses about a "thumb",...in fact, after the bout, Angelo Dundee was quick to praise Monzon to the skies...calling him a "super champion" among other superlatives...question for you, don't you think that it would be a sure bet that Dundee's colorful and explosive Italian temper would have erupted if the bout's stoppage was indeed influenced by a thumb in the eye?
This fight was highly anticipated, and one boxing mag devoted damned near half the issue to an analysis of the bout, profiles and records of the two fighters, plus expert opinions and predictions. The prevailing thought was that Napoles was "too fast, slick and talented" for Monzon, and would not only beat him, but make him look as slow and wooden as "a cigar store Indian". Rather than talk and type about it anymore ad nauseum, just look at this vid of the 5th and 6th rounds...where the damage to Napoles really occured.

This content is protected