Wilfred Benitez vs Jose Napoles

You couldn't be farther from the truth here

 

As others have stated, Napoles' offense is what helps him to the decision here. An extremely slick chess match, but Benitez would outworked.

 

Wow, perfect analysis of how this fight would have prob turned out, and your prose is as pitch perfect as Jose punches were.

 

Not sure bout that !!!

 

I'm going with El Radar. I was going with Napoles initially because of his dominance of the division and him being such a smooth boxer but on reflection I'm picking Benitez because:

A) Benitez is a bigger man. Napoles actually fought as low as 137 shortly before his 28th birthday.
B) The way he shut out Duran. Napoles would need to employ a similar plan and Benitez has shown he can completely negate a similar style with a similar level of ability.
C) I just think he'll outbox him outside, with the superior jab and speed while making him miss and I think he either ties him up inside or gets his fast sharp left hook working to the head or body

 

Benitez gave Leonard problems with his speed and reflexes and Leonard is as quick as they come so you've got to figure that early on at least Napoles would need to do some figuring out of Benitez's style. I can see Benitez maybe edging the first half before Napoles starts to find a way through. Having said that, I do think Napoles could hurt Benitez and put him away in the later rounds just as Leonard did. I'm pickinf Napoles on a late rounds stoppage.

 

I had Napoles winning this, without putting a lot of thought into the mechanics of the bout, and also Jose is one of my favs, BUT, C Burley paints a good picture of both styles, and he has persuaded me other wise ( no easy task ) so going with Benitez. soz Jose.

 

Jose Mantequilla Napoles wins by unanimous decision in this thriller of a match up. Wilfred El Radar Benitez had some trouble in winning the WBC World Welterweight Title against Carlos Palomino on Jan 14 1979, winning by split decision. He also had a difficult time in his first title defense against Harold Weston on March 25 1979, he had to come back for the win on points. Napoles may have a difficult time early, but his tenacity and quickness would be the winning factor for the man called Mantequilla.