Jose Napoles vs Kid Gavilan

It is probably too much of an "Head-Sratcher" to be fully sold on a victor one way or the other, i must certainly concur concerning a stoppage though, if Jose's eyes could let him down against Billy Backus first time round its not to be discounted that a similar situation could occur here, against a much more technically cultured puncher like the Kid..

However, barring cuts, i tend to think that Jose, in his prime usually boxed well within himself, syncted into the timing of his opponent and was not concerned to achieve spectacular quick ko's, in fact it was only his rematches with Pruitt and perhaps Hedge Lewis that Jose seemed to be a bit more spiteful than usual
he would need that element of spite here to perhaps gain that bit of respect from the Kid that could see him stay a half step ahead, the Kid would keep trying, keep coming, Jose is not a physically imposing bull of a fighter, more the classy relaxed Matador, and at his best never had any stamina worries, i dont know why, but i cant help feel that in Many of these type of "Ëlite" matches, be it against a Hearns or Leonard a montreaL Duran, The Kid would come out a close second, with the victor glad to hear the final bell, i think thats the case here, Jose's superb Timing, Balance...and Anticipation help him to a close victory...and he wouldnt be able to stay in his usual relaxed cruise mode to attain it. Jose close points for me.

 

Gavvy to tough and experienced to be hurt really bad or ko'ed, but I think Napoles edges him in a close decision. I love Gavilan and respect him, but Mantequilla just isn't the ordinary fighter.

 

co-sign. and I gotta say that a cut stoppage is unlikely; napoles' skin is VASTLY underrated. still, if you have a shoe shin type puncher at times like gavilian whose attacks had a slashing nature, that possibility goes up

 

Thank you Jorodz...finally, the voice of sanity. You'd think, that in every hypothetical matchup that Jose was the Cuban Henry Cooper.

 

Even barring cuts, I think Gavilan's height and range would be the deciding factor between two otherwise evenly matched fighters. Plus Gavilan was tested and proven against better competition IMO.

 

Napoles is accorded plenty of respect on here.He's hardly downgraded constantly because of being a bit cut-prone as his career went on.

 

And this is real bull****...Mantequilla would have been a nightmare for any great welter of history, even Robinson, never mind Hearns, Gavilan, Leonard and Duran.

 

NOt sure i get what you're saying is bull**** red.

I was saying he gets plenty of respect(s he should)he's hardly seen as a cuban henry cooper.Except maybe by a few trolls or whatever.

 

If forced on his heels, The Kid's output might dip to minimalist proportions. This would enable Mantequila to steadily grind out rounds behind his water-tortuous combinations.

I've always favored Jose up to this point, but his propensity to slip - not block - incoming punches could very well lead to cuts, especially against a slashing Gavilan. This is a real threat for Napoles. Gavilan, perhaps contrasting popular perception, is also possessed of an undervalued elusiveness when moved to defend; he is not unlike Napoles, though the latter would constantly bob, weave and slip in fluid motion throughout.

In the end, while I regard Napoles as the better technician, the cut stoppage prevails upon me. I think Kid jumps him at opportune moments, unleashing damaging blows around his eyes.

 

Nearly two years later lora, I apologize for not clarifying this..I was calling "BS" on that perception of him as a guy who loses to everyone on cuts, as some posters have implied....not to the content of your post....:good...hey, late is better than never!

 

i will pick Napoles by decision. He has enough footwork to neutralize Gavilan's skill. Obviously he lands the sharper blows.

If Gavilan struggled with Ike Williams, an equally sound fighter in Napoles will be hard to outpoint

 

How I envisage it. Napoles is the superior technician but it would take a Robinson or SRL to convincingly defeat a prime Gavilan,

 

Heck of a fight. I’m a huge Napoles fan but I have a sneaking feeling the kid edges this one. Probably a split decision with the fight in the balance going into the championship rounds.