Between these 2 great Cuban stylists with well-rounded skills and abilities who do you favor in this scintillating match up? I’ll give the edge to Napoles. I think he has a bit more offensive tools in his arsenal that can help him get by Rodriguez’s slick movements.
I think Rodriguez takes a close but decisive decision, possibly a split decision. He was a brilliant, awkward technician who was good at stifling the rhythm of other fighters, something Napoles may very well struggle with due to how he liked to set up attacks. To top it off, he is the bigger man with an iron chin and great stamina. Both had exceptional ring IQs. However, in terms of pure skill / punch mechanics, Napoles is superior imo, but I feel the former points trump over them. Either way, a top class match up.
Yeah, Napoles also had a couple issues with Lewis whom I think was likely the closest stylistically to Rodriguez who Napoles fought.
