Wlfred Benitez vs Jose Napoles

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

Two amazingly well-drilled fighters. One was silky-smooth and the other had unearthly reflexes.

Who wins?

[Bill Paxtom]

September 1975

There was talk, that this bout may have happened in September/October 1975.

In September 1975, Wilfred {Age; 17 years, 0 months} had a record of 23-0-0 {19 KO's},
and was ranked as the #10 WBC Welterweight.

Wilfred was campaigning as a Welterweight, and usually came into the Ring at 147 lbs.

He was also sparring with WBA Welterweight Champion - Angel 'Cholo' Espada, and handling
himself quiet well.

The Skinny >

Gregorio 'Papa' Benitez with financial backing, offered Joe Napoles { $125,000 } to come to
Puerto Rico to defend his Championship against his son.

But, Jose was fearful of fighting outside of Mexico, because he had 'bad scar-tissue' above his
eyes, and the skin opened up easily. Jose felt that a bout in Puerto Rico would be stopped
quickly if his skin opened up.

Jose would only fight in Mexico, where he was given a lot of lee-way with cuts.

[IamInuit]

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.

[Bill Paxtom]

The above statement from I-Am-I-Nu-It is incorrect,

ONE >
Jose Napoles fought a great tactical fight against Armando Muniz in their 2nd-Bout
on July 12, 1975 - and won a one-sided 15-Round Decision where he won by a
wide margin on all '3' Scorecards.

But, Jose still required time off for cuts above both eyes to heal, especially over the
right-eye.

So, though despite being on the downside of his career, Jose was coming of an
impressive performance where he floored Armando in Round 8, and nearly 'knocked' him out.

{Fact} > At this stage of his career, Jose was reluctant to fight anywhere but Mexico,
as he turned down 'lucrative-bouts' in England against John H. Stracey, in Italy against
Bruno Arcari, in Canada against Clyde Gray, and in Puerto Rico against Angel 'Cholo' Espada.

TWO >
In 1975, Wilfred was actually campaigning as a Welterweight, and even fought at 150 lbs.
at the Felt Forum in Madison Square Garden against Argentinian - Omar Ruben Realecio
on October 20, 1975.

Check it out.