Jose Napoles: Artful Aggression

Jose Napoles: Artful Aggression
By Lee Wylie On April 10, 2017

At its technical height, the skill of boxing is all about making offense and defense blend together into one seamless athletic act. No matter where you rank Jose Napoles among the greatest welterweight champions of all time, everyone in boxing acknowledges his talent and unique ability to fight with both deadly efficiency and uncommon grace. Indeed, Napoles’ sophisticated and elegant style won him the nickname of “Mantequilla,” which means “butter,” a reference to his smooth and refined moves in the ring.

Lee Wylie has previous taken a close look at Napoles’ balance and footwork, but in his latest video he breaks down how the man who ruled over a highly competitive welterweight division for some seven years and who scored 54 KO’s in 80 wins, combined defense and attack in such an artful way. Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdxkXc9WbV4

“Any serious discussion of the truly great welterweight champions must include “Mantequilla,” as gifted a pugilist as boxing has ever seen. His nickname means “butter” in Spanish and this referred to the smoothness of his moves and his relaxed demeanour in the ring, but the moniker belies the fact Napoles possessed crushing power and ruthless finishing instincts.

“In Cuba Napoles learned his trade and began his career, but he was forced to flee his native country when the Castro regime banned professional boxing. Napoles settled in Mexico where the people soon adopted him as one of their own. He campaigned through the 1960’s as a lightweight and junior-welter, but his skills and power were such that he had to move up to welterweight to get fights.” — From “Feb. 28, 1973: Napoles vs Lopez II” by Michael Carbert

Probably one of the more succinct but thorough breakdowns on a guy I've seen in a while. Napoles was tremendously fluid working offence off subtle defense technique with great situational awareness in a ring. He read his opponents like books. Crazy to think that his greatness in the division famous for didn't take off until hitting 29,30 yrs old! Great vid bud thanks for sharing.

Napoles made everything look so easy! He had that stinging jab, fearsome power, threw effortless combo's. He was very good at 147 but I think he may have been better while at lightweight. A GREAT fighter!

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Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

Jose Napoles: Artful Aggression
By Lee Wylie On April 10, 2017

At its technical height, the skill of boxing is all about making offense and defense blend together into one seamless athletic act. No matter where you rank Jose Napoles among the greatest welterweight champions of all time, everyone in boxing acknowledges his talent and unique ability to fight with both deadly efficiency and uncommon grace. Indeed, Napoles’ sophisticated and elegant style won him the nickname of “Mantequilla,” which means “butter,” a reference to his smooth and refined moves in the ring.


Lee Wylie has previous taken a close look at Napoles’ balance and footwork, but in his latest video he breaks down how the man who ruled over a highly competitive welterweight division for some seven years and who scored 54 KO’s in 80 wins, combined defense and attack in such an artful way. Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdxkXc9WbV4

“Any serious discussion of the truly great welterweight champions must include “Mantequilla,” as gifted a pugilist as boxing has ever seen. His nickname means “butter” in Spanish and this referred to the smoothness of his moves and his relaxed demeanour in the ring, but the moniker belies the fact Napoles possessed crushing power and ruthless finishing instincts.

“In Cuba Napoles learned his trade and began his career, but he was forced to flee his native country when the Castro regime banned professional boxing. Napoles settled in Mexico where the people soon adopted him as one of their own. He campaigned through the 1960’s as a lightweight and junior-welter, but his skills and power were such that he had to move up to welterweight to get fights.” — From “Feb. 28, 1973: Napoles vs Lopez II” by Michael Carbert

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First of all I hit that nasty dislike button by mistake, sorry. I meant like after all those years I watched this ring artist do his thing. Those moves would make Sweet Pea Whitaker jealous. Those counters were artful to say the least but your post was great. Can you believe that no one discusses Napoles as a great champion?

Can you imagine Napoles V Duran?

I remember him very well. More than just a big puncher but a very skilled boxer. As a welterweight he was unbeatable. I believe the Monzon fight took something out of him. He was never the same. Still he was a outstanding champion and one of the all time greats.