Jose Napoles 'The Mark of Brilliance'

Lets not forget that Carlos Ortiz went to Panama in May 1965, and got
somewhat schooled by a 22 year-old who was fighting at Featherweight and
Super-Featherweight less than a year earlier.

Now, Carlos Ortiz could have have a 'bad night',,,,,,,,

From what I can remember, if Carlos Ortiz had won, he was supposed to
fight Jose Napoles next (in August 1965).

Or maybe, he lost on purpose, so he could get the rematch in Puerto Rico
6-months later, while by-passing Jose Napoles (who was starting to struggle
to make 135 lbs.).

 

April 10, 1965

Carlos Ortiz, the 28 1/2 year-old Lightweight Champion was completely and utterly
embarrassed by light-punching Panamanian -Ismael Laguna.

With #1 Lightweight - Jose Napoles at ringside, in hopes of a future bout with the
Champion, we saw a shell of a fighter, as the boxing world witnessed a 'major upset'.

Carlos Ortiz with a record of 45-4-0 {18 KO's} showed little of his skills, as he was
supposedly weak from an illness, and had trouble making the 135 lb. weight limit.

Most observers had Ismael Laguna winning by a score of 148-137, giving the former
Champion only Rounds 7 and 8.

Carlos Ortiz, 'Thank God I have a rematch clause in the contract.'

 

October 1965

Jose 'Mantequilla' Napoles, the #1 Wolrd-rated Lightweight will move up to
140 lbs. Light-Welterweight.

The 25 1/2 year-old Cuban, can no longer wait to fight for the Lightweight Championship,
as it appears that current Champion Ismael laguna (Panama) will be facing former
Champion - Carlos Ortiz (Puerto Rico) in Puerto Rico on November 13, 1965.

In all likelihood, Carlos Ortiz will regain his Championship, and insiders say that Carlos
has 'no desire' to offer Jose Napoles a Championship opportunity anytime soon.

Napoles, with a record of 42-3-0 (24 KO's) has been the #1 ranked Lightweight since
early 1964.

 

By the way, Jose Napoles had a pet Chicken he called, 'Lil Carlos Ortiz'..............True Story.

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After defeating former Light-Welterweight Champion by a one-sided
10-Round Decision in August 1965.

The now #1 Lightweight and #1 Light-Welterweight - Jose Napoles waits,
but will not get a shot at the Lightweight Championship.

December 11, 1965 (El Toreo, Mexico City)

Jose Napoles wins by (TKO 3) over #2 Light-Welterweight - American Adolph Pruitt
16-4-2 (11 KO's).

Napoles and Pruitt go at it, in a toe-to-toe slugfest for 2-Rounds, with each slamming
hard punches at each other's head.

But, in Round 3, Adolph Pruitt suffers a badly broken right hand, and cannot continue.

Pruitt's record is deceiving, at 16-4-2. Over the past 2-years he has gone 11-0-1 (6 KO's),
and is managed by Great - Henry Armstrong. Many had considered Adolph as
a solid choice to win a Light-Welterweight Championship, as the guy was an animal
in the ring.

Jose, now at 43-3-0 (25 KO's), is now the certified #1 Light-Welterweight, and will
pursue that Championship in 1966.