José Nápoles


José Ángel Nápoles, nicknamed Mantequilla, was a Cuban-born Mexican boxer and a World Welterweight Champion. He is frequently ranked as one of the greatest fighters of all time in that division and is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. His record of the most wins in unified championship bouts in boxing history, shared with Muhammad Ali, was unbeaten for 40 years. After debuting professionally in Cuba, he fought out of Mexico and became a Mexican citizen.

Mexico

Nápoles debuted as a professional boxer on August 2, 1958 in Cuba, knocking out Julio Rojas in the first round. Nápoles' first 21 bouts were in Cuba, against mostly unknown competition. He did beat Ángel García and Leslie Grant, but lost to Hilton Smith.
After beating Enrique Carabeo in March 1961, Nápoles found himself a new challenge, outside of the ring; Cuban president Fidel Castro banned professional boxing in Cuba, and Nápoles soon found his career in jeopardy.
He found asylum in Mexico, where he soon found himself back inside the ring, beating Enrique Camarena by a knockout in two rounds on July 21, 1962. He won all four of his fights that year.
In 1963, he won seven bouts and lost two. He was defeated by Tony Perez and Alfredo Urbina, both by decision, but he beat JC Morgan, by knockout in seven rounds, in Venezuela.
1964 was a successful year for Nápoles. He travelled to Japan, where he beat Taketeru Yoshimoto by knockout in round one, and he beat future world champion Carlos Morocho Hernández by knockout in round seven, this time back in Venezuela. In addition to those wins, he avenged his loss to Urbina by knocking him out twice, the first time in the first round and the second time in the third.
He won three more fights in 1965, including another win against Morgan, before seeing a raise in opposition quality when he faced the former world Junior Welterweight champion Eddie Perkins, beating him by decision in ten rounds. For his next fight, he met his own future world title challenger, Adolph Pruitt, beating him by knockout in round three.
In 1966, he won five fights, all by knockout, and lost one, to arch-rival Morgan, who knocked him out in round four. This would be his last loss in four years.

Welterweight champion

Nápoles began a streak of 20 wins in a row, 13 of them before challenging for the world's welterweight title. These included avenging the loss to Morgan with a two-round knockout. During this period, Nápoles also became a fan favorite in southern California, and, after beating Fate Davis, on February 15 of 1969 in Mexico, he was given an opportunity to win the world championship when he faced the current champion Curtis Cokes in Inglewood, on April 18. Nápoles beat Cokes by a knockout in round 13 to become world welterweight champion, and, as was becoming common place for him, he wore a sombrero after the fight. On June 29, he retained the title in a rematch with Cokes by a knockout in round 10 in his hometown of Mexico City, and on October 12, he outpointed former world champion Emile Griffith in 15, also retaining the title.

Loss of title

Nápoles began the 1970s, by defeating Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez by a knockout in round 15 in front of an audience that included former world champion Sugar Ray Robinson on February 14, 1970. But after winning two non-title bouts, he suffered an upset when he was stopped due to be cut in four rounds by Carmen Basilio's nephew Billy Backus, who took the world's Welterweight title from Nápoles on December 3 at Syracuse.

Regaining the title

After winning one more fight, he and Backus fought again, for the world welterweight title now in Backus' hands. This time, it was held in Los Angeles, and Nápoles recovered the world championship via an 8th round stoppage. After three non-title wins, including one over Jean Josselin, he faced Hedgemon Lewis on December 14, retaining the world title with a decision in 15 rounds, but Nápoles' training habits were suffering; he was alleged to be coming into the gym stinking of alcohol with an attitude towards his seconds.
In 1972, he retained the title knocking out Ralph Charles in seven in England, and then, Pruitt resurfaced again, this time with the world Welterweight title on the line. Nápoles retained his crown by knockout in round two.
World traveller Nápoles began 1973 by retaining the title against Lopez again, by knockout in seven, then he visited Grenoble, France, where he retained the crown with a 15-round decision over Roger Menetrey, and Toronto, Ontario, Canada where he beat Clyde Gray, once again retaining the world title with a 15-round decision.

Middleweight

After this, many boxing fans were asking for a fight between Nápoles and World Middleweight Champion Carlos Monzón. The fight was made possible when Nápoles moved in weight to challenge Monzon for Monzon's title, so the two dueled on February 9, 1974 at a parking lot in Paris. This would be Nápoles' only bout at the Middleweight division, as he was defeated by quitting the match. Nápoles then went back to the Welterweight division, and retained the title twice before the year ended, with a knockout in nine over Lewis, and with a knockout in three over Horacio Saldaño.
In 1975, Nápoles had two wins over Armando Muniz, both times to retain his world title. The first time, a technical decision win in 12 rounds at Acapulco was a controversial win, so a return match was fought in Los Angeles, where Nápoles prevailed by decision.

Retirement

On December 6 of that year, however, Nápoles lost his title to British boxing teacher John H. Stracey, who won over Nápoles by a technical knockout in round six at Mexico City despite being floored by Nápoles in round one. After this fight, Nápoles announced his retirement. Remarkably, he was able to stay away from the temptation of a comeback, much like Marvin Hagler.
Nápoles had a final record of 81 wins and 7 losses, with 54 wins by knockout, which makes him a member of the exclusive group of boxers that won 50 or more fights by knockout in their careers.

Personal life

Napoles was the son of Pedro Napoles, a schoolteacher, and his wife Rosa. He had a brother, Pedro Napoles Jr. had nine children. He resided in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico with his wife Bertha.
Napoles co-starred with superstar Santo in a 1974 Mexican wrestler/horror film called Santo en la venganza de la llorona, aka Santo and Mantequilla Napoles in the Revenge of the Crying Woman.
Nápoles died on August 16, 2019 in Mexico City after a long-illness at the age of 79.

Honors

In 1985, Nápoles was inducted into The Ring boxing hall of fame, and in 1990 into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
88Loss81–7 John H StraceyTKO6 Dec 06, 1976 Monumental Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City Lost WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
87Win81–6 Armando MunizUD15Jul 12, 1976 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico CityRetained WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
86Win80–6 Armando MunizTD12 Mar 29, 1975 Centro Internacional Acapulco, AcapulcoRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
85Win79–6 Horacio Agustin SaldanoKO3 Dec 14, 1974 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico CityRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
84Win78–6 Hedgemon LewisTKO9 Aug 03, 1974 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico CityRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
83Loss77–6 Carlos MonzonRTD6 Feb 09, 1974 PuteauxFor WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
82Win77–5 Clyde GrayUD15Sep 22, 1973 Maple Leaf Gardens, TorontoRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
81Win76–5 Roger MenetreyUD15Jun 23, 1973 Palais des Sports, Grenoble Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
80Win75–5 Ernie LopezKO7 Feb 28, 1973 Forum, InglewoodRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
79Win74–5 Edmundo LeiteTKO2 Aug 05, 1972 Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City
78Win73–5 Adolph PruittTKO2 Jun 10, 1972 Plaza de Toros Monumental, MonterreyRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
77Win72–5 Ralph CharlesKO7 Mar 28, 1972 Empire Pool, WembleyRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
76Win71–5 Hedgemon LewisUD15Dec 14, 1971 Forum, InglewoodRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
75Win70–5 Esteban Alfredo OsunaUD10Oct 16, 1971 Arena Mexico, Mexico City
74Win69–5 Jean JosselinKO5 Aug 23, 1971 Forum, Inglewood
73Win68–5 David MelendezTKO5 Jul 31, 1971 Arena Coliseo, Monterrey
72Win67–5 Billy BackusTKO8 Jun 04, 1971 Forum, Inglewood Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
71Win66–5 Manuel GonzalezKO6 Mar 27, 1971 Arena Mexico, Mexico City
70Loss65–5 Billy BackusTKO4 Dec 03, 1970 War Memorial Auditorium, SyracuseLost WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
69Win65–4 Pete ToroTKO9 Oct 05, 1970 Madison Square Garden, New York
68Win64–4 Fighting MackKO3 Aug 14, 1970 Forum, Inglewood
67Win63–4 Ernie LopezTKO15 Feb 14, 1970 Forum, Inglewood Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
66Win62–4 Emile GriffithUD15Oct 17, 1969 Forum, Inglewood Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
65Win61–4 Curtis CokesRTD10 Jun 29, 1969 Monumental Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
64Win60–4 Curtis CokesRTD13 Apr 18, 1969 Forum, InglewoodWon WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
63Win59–4 Fate DavisTKO6 Feb 15, 1969 Arena Mexico, Mexico City
62Win58–4 Lennox BecklesKO1 Dec 22, 1968 Monumental Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City
61Win57–4 Des ReaTKO5 Nov 04, 1968 Forum, Inglewood
60Win56–4 Eddie PaceUD10Jul 15, 1968 Plaza de Toros, Tijuana
59Win55–4 Leroy RobertsTKO1 Jun 14, 1968 Forum, Inglewood
58Win54–4 Peter CobblahPTS10Jun 02, 1968 Monumental Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City
57Win53–4 Herbie LeeTKO6 Apr 29, 1968 Plaza de Toros, Tijuana
56Win52–4 Mike CruzTKO4 Feb 18, 1968 Tampico
55Win51–4 Charlie WatsonKO6 Sep 11, 1967 Merida
54Win50–4 Johnny DePeizaTKO1 Sep 11, 1967 Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez
53Win49–4 LC MorganTKO2 Jul 10, 1967 Plaza de Toros, Tijuana
52Win48–4 Johnny BrooksKO7 Jun 04, 1967 Merida
51Win47–4 Eugenio EspinozaTKO6 Dec 17, 1966 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City
50Win46–4 Jimmy FieldsTKO10 Oct 30, 1966 Plaza de Toros Fermin Rivera, San Luis Potosi
49Loss45–4 LC MorganTKO4 Aug 22, 1966 Estadio Adolfo López Mateos, Reynosa
48Win45–3 Humberto TrottmanKO2 Jul 27, 1966 Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez
47Win44–3 Al GrantTKO4 Apr 17, 1966 Reynosa
46Win43–3 Johnny SantosKO3 Feb 12, 1966 Monumental Plaza de Toros México, Mexico City
45Win42–3 Aldolph PruittTKO3 Dec 11, 1965 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City
44Win41–3 Eddie PerkinsUD10Aug 03, 1965 Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez
43Win40–3 Giordano CampariTKO2 Mar 25, 1965 Nuevo Circo, Caracas
42Win39–3 LC MorganKO3 Feb 28, 1965 Plaza de Toros Monumental, Monterrey
41Win38–3 Carlos RiosKO5 Jan 01, 1965 Plaza de Toros, Torreon
40Win37–3 Alfredo UrbinoKO3 Nov 14, 1964 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City
39Win36–3 Eduardo MorenoTKO5 Aug 15, 1964 Culiacan
38Win35–3 Carlos Morocho HernandezTKO7 Jun 22, 1964 Nuevo Circo, Caracas
37Win34–3 Alfredo UrbinaTKO1 Apr 25, 1964 Mexico City
36Win33–3 Taketeru YoshimotoKO1 Mar 01, 1964 Kokugikan
35Win32–3 LC MorganKO7 Nov 30, 1963 Caracas
34Win31–3 Tony PerezTKO3 Nov 16, 1963 Mexico City
33Win30–3 Francisco CancioKO1 Oct 23, 1963 Mexico City
32Win29–3 Pulga SerranoTKO10 Aug 19, 1963 Tijuana
31Win28–3 Baby VasquezPTS10Jul 13, 1963 Arena Mexico, Mexico City
30Win27–3 Raul SorianoKO4 May 27, 1963 Tijuana
29Loss26–3 Alfredo UrbinaPTS10Apr 27, 1963 Mexico City
28Win26–2 Baby VasquezUD10Mar 30, 1963 Arena Mexico, Mexico City
27Win25–2 Baby GutierrezTKO7 Feb 09, 1963 Mexico City
26Loss24–2 Tony PerezSD10Jan 05, 1963 Plaza de Toros, Hermosillo
25Win24–1 Tony PerezPTS10Nov 10, 1962 Plaza de Toros, Los Mochis
24Win23–1 Bobby CervantesTKO1 Sep 29, 1962 Mexico City
23Win22–1 Kid AnahuacKO9 Aug 25, 1962 Mexico City
22Win21–1 Enrique CamarenaKO2 Jul 21, 1962 Mexico City
21Win20–1 Angel Robinson GarciaPTS10Jun 03, 1961 Havana
20Win19–1 Rolando Chico MoralesUD10Mar 18, 1961 Havana
19Win18–1 Guillermo ValdezUD10Jan 28, 1961 Havana
18Win17–1 Tony PadronDQ5 Dec 17, 1960 Palacio de Deportes, Havana
17Win16–1 Rolando Chico MoralesPTS10Nov 26, 1960 Havana
16Win15–1 Tony PadronUD10Oct 15, 1960 Coliseo Nacional, Havana
15Win14–1 Bunny GrantPTS10Jul 02, 1960 Havana
14Win13–1 Angel Robinson GarciaPTS10May 21, 1960 Havana
13Win12–1 Diwaldo VentosaUD10Feb 20, 1960 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
12Win11–1 Isaac EspinosaUD10Jan 02, 1960 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
11Win10–1 Bobby CervantesTKO1 Nov 28, 1959 Arena Trejo, Havana
10Win9–1 Augusto NarvalleUD8Nov 14, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
9Win8–1 Cristobal GonzalezUD8Oct 03, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
8Loss7–1 Hilton SmithUD8Aug 22, 1959 Coliseo Nacional, Havana
7Win7–0 Clodoaldo HernandezUD8Jul 25, 1959 Coliseo Nacional, Havana
6Win6–0 Clodoaldo HernandezTKO3 Jul 11, 1959 Coliseo Nacional, Havana
5Win5–0 Juan BacalloTKO4 May 16, 1959 Coliseo Nacional, Havana
4Win4–0 Armando CastilloPTS4Feb 21, 1959 Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana
3Win3–0 Felix PomaresTKO2 Nov 29, 1958 Havana
2Win2–0 Euripides GuerraTKO4 Oct 11, 1958 Coliseo Nacional, Havana
1Win1–0 Julio Rojas1 Aug 02, 1958 Coliseo Nacional, Havana