What if Napoles stayed at LW and got shots at Ortiz-Laguana-Buchanon-Duran

He beats Laguana & Buchanan.

Ortiz at Ltwt is a toss-up.

Duran wins a split decision at Ltwt because that is where Duran was his "baddest".

 

He probably beats all bar Duran

 

What an excellent thread!! I hold Ortiz, Laguna, Buchanan and Duran in the highest esteem, and the thought of a prime Napoles going up against any of them is staggering. Napoles was really something special, and you can throw out the door on it's ear the tko loss to Backus...I believe Napoles could have beaten any of them...and that's saying volumes about how great Napoles was. The reporting about Mantequilla in the first years of his welter title reign was quite revealing...you just knew that the writers were awed by the skill and class of the Cuban...not just buttery skills and moves, but that rare combination, found among Cuban fighters, of devastating power amplified by pin-point accuracy. This was reported in the account of Jose's two fights woth the rugged Ernie Lopez, where in the first fight, Napoles threaded the needle, so to speak, very impressively, and with power to have Lopez down several times and then out in round 15...in the rematch, it was a 7th round ko, a clean and very scary one as well, as not only did he knock Lopez unconcious, but destroyed the bone structure of the skull where Ernie's left eye resided. Slickness, combined with speed and power. He was like a "buzzsaw" against the talented badass Adolph Pruitt, who would have been a champion, were it not for Napoles. Mantquilla was, in my opinion, just too much while in his prime, and would have, ironically, IMO, previously mentioned power notwithstanding, would have taken unanimous 15 round decisions from any of the 4 greats listed..close decisions over 4 men known for among other things, their toughness, and again, IMO, I sell none of these guys short in that particular capacity, and that's what would have spared any of them from a ko loss to Napoles, that he would have surely gotten over lesser opponents than these 4 greats.

 

If we're putting Napoles against a fading version of Ortiz circa late 60's I'd probably favor him, though a prime for prime matchup is basically 50/50 in my book. To be honest though, I'm not sure he ever beats Duran. Just as bad a matchup for him as it comes, even a younger, less polished Duran who was arguably even more formidable for Napoles strictly from a stylistic point of view. I think a bout with Laguna would've been a sweet science fan's dream, and I'd have to think that one through a bit more thoroughly before coming to any concrete conclusions. Same with Buchanan, though I'd favor Napoles more often than not in that one. All great matchups, no doubt about it.

 

Im a fan of Buchanan, but i definitely would pick Napoles. This is a battle in the middle of the ring in which both men display great ring generalship and combos. I just think that kind of bout is one where Napoles takes a lead and sustains it on the cards. Would be very exciting for fans of the action bout.

I agree that Duran would beat him. At distance Napoles has the skills to weave and combine with footwork, but Duran for me is great with the type of distance fight that Napoles proposes, he can shoot shots in and initiate wars. Napoles once in a war is formidable, but Duran comes out on top there for me at 135.

Against Laguna, Napoles will have his footwork put to the test in a big way, when challenged to cut off the ring and beat an elusive opponent to the punch in the centre of the ring. I take Napoles on a whim, i think he should try to time something heavy and follow it up effectively, i don't think stoppage but the heavy shots more than help here.

And Ortiz, well what ca i say prime for prime. Ortiz for me in a stylistic sense is as complete a boxer we have seen. Though for me Napoles would fare better in the boxing match, Ortiz for me should use his strength and push his skilled opponent back, and use his stamina that is so great and attempt to deplete his opponents' by going to the body. This is either man's imo.

 

Well Ortiz was fading abit when Napoles would have got his shot so here how i think it turns out

He wins the title from Ortiz in a pretty good fight but Ortizs age lets him down as he loses the last few rounds and loses the fight, they then fight a rematch where Napoles wins abit clearer.

He then defends his title against afew people but then fights Ismael Laguna. Napoles wins this fight again and stops him late as his stamina isnt what it once was.

He then defends against Ken Buchanan whom he beats on points in a good fight but it is a clear win for Napoles.

He then makes afew defences then fights an upcoming kid called Roberto Duran. Napoles wins this fight on a 15 round UD in an absouloute cracking fight that is FOTY for that year in a close fight as Duran is still abit raw the boxing world demand a rematch.

Napoles obliges giving Duran a rematch, again in an absoulote great fight Duran wins the desicion 8-7 on most peoples cards/. Napoles age showed abit in that fight.

Napoles then goes on the path to regain a rematch by destroying Esteban De Jesus to get a rubber match with Duran which he gets. This fight is the best of the 3 and comes up with a draw with everyone arguing over who won.