Ian Napa: thoughts?

He was one my my favourites for a while as well.

He should have stayed at Flyweight despite a couple of early setbacks.Had the potential to develop into an overall world class fighter there, but higher than that his size, laid back, often sparring partner-esque mentality, lack of aggression, power and fitness meant he never got beyond Euro level.He wasn't sharp enough offensively to offset being at a huge disadvantage physically.

 

Yeah, I'd agree with all of that. I reckon he might've benefited a good bit more had he trained/fought out of another country with a better corner and good fighters/sparring partners nearer his own size. He had enough trouble actually getting fights and training of any kind because of how little he was, never mind quality training. The UK scene was - and still is - dire in that regard.

The age of weight-draining didn't help him either. He was small even for a flyweight and probably could have made light-fly or even straw. Nor was he really interested enough when it mattered. Lawrence sharpened him up post-layoff in some ways, but there seemed to me to be too much of an emphasis on upper body cuteness without having a committed jab or being light footed and fit enough to move in and out of range for 12 rounds. It would've been enough of a hinderance at flyweight, never mind at bantam (where he was probably facing natural featherweights at least).

Still, he was a real favourite of mine and was a joy to watch when on form. Had he a bit more power, drive and stamina about him, he could have been a formidable force from straw to fly. I hear he's doing ok in retirement too, mostly outside of boxing. You'd think he might have some of the aspects that make a decent trainer or cornerman. As far as I know, he applied for a license but seems to be more interested in other stuff, though I'm not sure tbh.

 

He was quality but didn't always lose 'cause guys walked through him. He wasn't brilliant even allowing for his lack of dig, sometimes bloody lethargic.

Loved his brief late career renaissance though.

I agree that he could well have done much better had he been disciplined enough to make fly for his whole career.

Certainly a bit of anomaly as Brit' stylists go. Off the top of me head anyway.

 

I loved the guy stylistically, I just dont think he was that dedicated.

Really wanted him to do well.

Him, but especially Jason Booth, are two guys I adored from that era (wanted to sound old )

 

Jason Booth for me as well Greg. Loved him.

 

Another sort of unique-ish style for Britain, a proper craftsmen who did evrything fairly well. His destruction of, an albeit faded, Michael Hunter was damn near perfect.

 

I love that performance too, he was much smaller and he was class.

 

Remember him from back in the day the commentators I seem to remember were always saying if he had power he'd be a world champ, his defensive moves when against the ropes were reminiscent of Floyd.

 

Great bump this is golden