Hard to choose between the two because they’re so skilled and versatile but Kid Gavilan would be my pick. Gavilan was the bigger fighter with quicker hand speed and faster combos, tricky stylist who can be a relentless attacker while also being a clever boxer, and was hard as titanium. Plus Napoles’ tendency to cut is something Gavilan would be capable of exploiting. Great match up between 2 great fighters.
Gavilan wins a ud. He was the natural welterweight, was faster of hand and foot. Also , though a relatively light puncher, was very aggressive. Napoles of course would have a shot, but I believe Gavilan would just be to busy for him. Though, Napoles had excellent power at welterweight. Gavilan faced some of the best punchers in the history of the division, but was never stopped in over a hundred pro, Ray Robinson, Gil Turner, Ike Williams, Carmen Basilio, are some of the noted punchers he fought. I believe Gavilan out works Napoles, for a UD. He may stop him on cuts.
I'm picking Napoles because he was much more consistent and he had the power, not to stop Gavilan, but to derail his attack. I find Gavilan a bit sloppy on film. I think Napoles would eat up those spaces where Napoles gets undisciplined.
Napoles is just technically a bit better overall then everybody else, incredible fighter - best night might be the greatest 147lber.
Hmmm,there are rare films of Gavilan before he became more of a passive,kinda sloppier boxer,but judging by his fight vs Abdeslam Ben Bukr(where he looked more stronger and faster than most of his footages),he could probably outhudtle Nàpoles good,but here's another problem.... Gavilan was a bit more inconsistent than Nàpoles,he could appear sharp and fast in some fights but the other he looked like a Cuban punching bag.
