You have to love revisionist history. It would have been one hell of a fight had they even had the opportunity to meet in there prime. And Napoles fought all over the place, Canada, USA, France, Uk. He had 2 welter reigns.

1-1969-1970
2-1971-1975

Joses last fight was in 1975 and he retired almost immediately.
Benitez won the 140 crown 3 months after Napoles retired.
Benitez did not start campaigning at 147 until 1977.
Jose never declined a fight with Wilfredo because of cuts. He declined because he was finished as a fighter and was not about to go out as a sacrificial lamb to this young phenom. The cut stuff was a way to save face and largely fueled by the ancient rivalry whether Napoles was an adopted Cuban or not.


This fight is a real toss up. Both guys smooth/complete fighters in there prime. As @TitoFan said in another thread, most definitely a great trilogy in the making if it could have happened.