Prime Jose Mantequilla Napoles vs Montreal Roberto Duran, at 147 lbs, 15 rounds.

Napoles does n't succumb to Duran's taunts and beats Roberto by clear,albeit,competitive decision over 15 rounds. Very good fight.

Nice match up,Richard.

 

Unless Napoles gets cut I feel like he would be able to outbox Duran and win a decision.

One of the few Welterweights who I think beat Duran at this best.

 

Agree with above lads, Duran loses a decision. Which feels strange saying.

 

Duran. I think he'd be too active for Napoles, especially on that night

 

Duran if he could beat Leonard he would handle Napoles.Would be a great fight though

 

Hi Noel.
Good point, of which I agree, also Napoles liked to control the tempo of a fight, like almost all great champs, to this effect he wouldn't have relished the onrushing, bullish, almost frenetic pace that Duran could exhort on a opponent, granted Napoles was a hurtful puncher, they seemed slower in delivery than Leonard, he liked to wait and prob for openings for his vaunted uppercut, and or left hooks, for a while Muniz bullied him out of this style, and it paid dividends, I see a scenario where Duran leaps on Jose at the first bell, and doesn't let up, for all Duran's out right ferocity cant see him KOing Napoles, but can see a late stoppage due to Napoles oft cut brows.
stay safe Noel.

 

Beautiful match up that would be both artistic and savage at the same time. A very skillful fight with a nice blend of offense and defense on display, but ultimately I think Duran at his best would be able to beat Napoles down the stretch. Duran would overpower and mangle Napoles' skin and win by late round stoppage in a FOTY type of battle.

 

I wouldn't count out Napoles' chances against Duran, it can really go either way. Although I still lean more towards peak Duran.

It would have been nice if Napoles chose to face a smaller, younger Duran instead of the much bigger Monzon. At least that would have been a much more even competitive fight and not one sided like the Monzon fight. I think Napoles at that point would have been able to beat the younger Duran who was still improving and honing his skills. A shame that they couldn't cross paths at some point in time. Napoles could have faced Carlos Palomino as well but instead retired after being beaten by John H Stracey who would be the one to be beaten by Palomino.