Mantequilla Napoles v Mickey Walker & Mike Gibbons at welterweight.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by dpw417, Dec 20, 2014.


  1. dpw417

    dpw417 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Hopefully this doesn't dissolve into a flaming match (per usual)...Not the intention at all...

    What is the opinion on the skill sets of Napoles and Gibbons and how it would play out?...and would Napoles be able to deal with the strength of Walker?
     
    dpw417, Dec 20, 2014
    dpw417, Dec 20, 2014
    #1
  2. timmers612

    timmers612 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    The bout that makes me think Mantequilla would have been chasing a ghost against Gibbons is the 1st Hedgeman Lewis bout. Lewis had enough speed to make their 15 rounder very close sticking and moving but Gibbons did far more then that and was stronger then Lewis. Jose had a world of skills but catching a fighter who could change directions as good as Pep wasn't among them. Mike was above the welter limit and am not sure its a weight he would have come down too.

    The Mick was strong and came forward with both hands firing, his offence was his defence. I could see Napoles nailing Walker and often but not realing hurting him and that's what he would need to do as the toy bulldog would never stop winging them. I noticed that Billy Backus seemed stronger then Napoles and this to me would give an edge to Walker. Jose tires under the relentless pressure in a 15 rounder and loses the last two rounds and the decision.
     
    timmers612, Dec 20, 2014
    timmers612, Dec 20, 2014
    #2
  3. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    I think both would beat Napoles, who was great but better as a LW.
     
    klompton2, Dec 20, 2014
    klompton2, Dec 20, 2014
    #3
  4. dpw417

    dpw417 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Thanks to Timmers and Klompton for the responses.

    I wish more footage was out there of Mike Gibbons...A very complete fighter. The fight against Packey MacFarland was not a draw...Gibbons beat him easily in every aspect of that fight.
    Some things I noticed about Gibbons is the footwork is excellent. He does not get into wild exchanges at all, Gibbons fights when he wants to. His stance presents his body as a very narrow target, very similar to Benvenuti. Uses his left shoulder very well as his defense inside, and to give himself punching room.
    This stood out to me, watching Gibbons on the inside...He employed a similar tactic to what Ezzard Charles did, he always places his hands on top of his opponent's arms when he is on the inside. This allows him to control, and get his punches off first. It's like a wrestler getting under hooks in standing.

    I think a match between Mantequilla and Gibbons is fascinating. Napoles has a fluidity that few fighters have ever had...He can change pace, and angles of attack that can open up a defense. This would be a thinking fight. Gibbons would be better on the inside, and perhaps better on the outside due to his footspeed. Napoles operates best at mid range...and is the better fighter offensively. Very interesting fight.

    Napoles v Walker is also interesting. Some logic says that since Walker tangled with heavyweights he should clean up practically any welterweight you could mention. If that logic holds true, then I suppose you could have gotten odds on Lew Tendler against Jack Sharkey as well...it doesn't work entirely that way. With that said however, Walker's strength does have to be considered. Napoles is hittable...and Walker is relentless. Could Napoles hurt Walker? I doubt it. I can see Napoles outboxing Walker for the most part, but it would be a close fight either way. I believe Walker came into his own as a middleweight... not as a welterweight.
    One last thing...I think Gibbons would outpoint Walker.
     
    dpw417, Dec 24, 2014
    dpw417, Dec 24, 2014
    #4