Has this one ever been discussed? (I haven't seen it.) What is your pick at 135/140 or 147 lbs? A very hard fight to pick IMO.
Napoles probably takes it at 147. 140 on down is anyone's guess, as there isn't THAT much footage of Napoles there, but he was said to have been even better there, though the same obviously applies for Whitaker, and in the area he'd most benefit, movement.
Napoles at his best always surprised the **** out of you at how good he was. He had dynamic punching skills and moves like his nickname "Mantequilla".
I'll take Napoles also, but it is said he was a prime 135er, like Pea said, who knows there. What we can really pick on is a bout at 147, I'll take Napoles there.
I like Jose at 147 and that says a ton as Whitaker was exceptional as well . At 135 I just don't know ...
Agree with the consensus, Napoles by decision. I`ll add though that a fight between them at lightweight would have been fascinating, the little bit of footage I have of Napoles at 135 were he blew out Al Urbina in one round shows a very aggressive and accurate fighter, much more active as well than during his welterweight title reign. The final knockdown he scores on Urbina was a beauty as well, he landed three punches on Al who was already in the process of going down and they all landed squarely on the chin. I don`t know who would have won at lightweight, but it would have been a great fight for sure.
