José Nápoles


José Ángel Nápoles was a Cuban-born Mexican professional boxer. He was a two-time undisputed welterweight champion, having held the WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles between 1969 and 1975. 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, 1969, in Mexico, he was given an opportunity to win the world championship when he faced the then-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 being 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 ring set up inside a circus tent that had been erected in the Paris suburb of Puteaux. This would be Nápoles' only bout at the middleweight division, as he was defeated by quitting the match, officially losing by a seventh-round technical knockout. He 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 boxer 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. He was able to stay away from the temptation of a comeback.
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. and nine children. He resided in Ciudad Juárez, 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.

Honours

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.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
88Loss81–7John H. StraceyTKO6 Dec 6, 1975Monumental Plaza de Toros, México, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Lost WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
87Win81–6Armando MuñízUD15Jul 12, 1975Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MexicoRetained WBC and The Ring welterweight titles
86Win80–6Armando MuñízTD12 Mar 29, 1975Centro Internacional Acapulco, Acapulco, Guerrero, MexicoRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
85Win79–6Horacio Agustin SaldanoKO3 Dec 14, 1974Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MexicoRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
84Win78–6Hedgemon LewisTKO9 Aug 3, 1974Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, MexicoRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
83Loss77–6Carlos MonzonRTD6 Feb 9, 1974 Puteaux, Hauts-de-Seine, France For WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
82Win77–5Clyde GrayUD15Sep 22, 1973Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, CanadaRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
81Win76–5Roger MenetreyUD15Jun 23, 1973 Palais des Sports, Grenoble, Isère, France Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
80Win75–5Ernie LopezKO7 Feb 28, 1973Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
79Win74–5Edmundo LeiteTKO2 Aug 5, 1972Palacio de los Deportes, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
78Win73–5Adolph PruittTKO2 Jun 10, 1972Plaza de Toros, Monumental, Monterrey, Nuevo León, MexicoRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
77Win72–5Ralph CharlesKO7 Mar 28, 1972Empire Pool, Wembley, London, EnglandRetained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
76Win71–5Hedgemon LewisUD15Dec 14, 1971Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
75Win70–5Esteban Alfredo OsunaUD10Oct 16, 1971Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
74Win69–5Jean JosselinKO5 Aug 23, 1971Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
73Win68–5David MelendezTKO5 Jul 31, 1971Arena Coliseo, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
72Win67–5Billy BackusTKO8 Jun 4, 1971Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Won WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
71Win66–5Manuel GonzalezKO6 Mar 27, 1971Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
70Loss65–5Billy BackusTKO4 Dec 3, 1970War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.Lost WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
69Win65–4Pete ToroTKO9 Oct 5, 1970Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
68Win64–4Fighting MackKO3 Aug 14, 1970Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
67Win63–4Ernie LopezTKO15 Feb 14, 1970Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
66Win62–4Emile GriffithUD15Oct 17, 1969Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
65Win61–4Curtis CokesRTD10 Jun 29, 1969Monumental Plaza de Toros, México, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
64Win60–4Curtis CokesRTD13 Apr 18, 1969Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.Won WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
63Win59–4Fate DavisTKO6 Feb 15, 1969Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
62Win58–4Lennox BecklesKO1 Dec 22, 1968Monumental Plaza de Toros, México, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
61Win57–4Des ReaTKO5 Nov 4, 1968Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
60Win56–4Eddie PaceUD10Jul 15, 1968Plaza de Toros, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
59Win55–4Leroy RobertsTKO1 Jun 14, 1968Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
58Win54–4Peter CobblahPTS10Jun 2, 1968Monumental Plaza de Toros, México, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
57Win53–4Herbie LeeTKO6 Apr 29, 1968Plaza de Toros, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
56Win52–4Mike CruzTKO4 Feb 18, 1968Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico
55Win51–4Charlie WatsonKO6 Dec 3, 1967 Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
54Win50–4Johnny DePeizaTKO1 Sep 11, 1967Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
53Win49–4LC MorganTKO2 Jul 10, 1967Plaza de Toros, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
52Win48–4Johnny BrooksKO7 Jun 4, 1967 Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
51Win47–4Eugenio EspinozaTKO6 Dec 17, 1966El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
50Win46–4Jimmy FieldsTKO10 Oct 30, 1966 Plaza de Toros Fermin Rivera, San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
49Loss45–4LC MorganTKO4 Aug 22, 1966Estadio Adolfo López Mateos, Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico
48Win45–3Humberto TrottmanKO2 Jul 27, 1966Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
47Win44–3Al GrantTKO4 Apr 17, 1966 Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico
46Win43–3Johnny SantosKO3 Feb 12, 1966Monumental Plaza de Toros, México, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
45Win42–3Aldolph PruittTKO3 Dec 11, 1965El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
44Win41–3Eddie PerkinsUD10Aug 3, 1965Plaza de Toros, Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
43Win40–3Giordano CampariTKO2 Mar 25, 1965Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela
42Win39–3LC MorganKO3 Feb 28, 1965Plaza de Toros Monumental, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
41Win38–3Carlos RiosKO5 Jan 1, 1965Plaza de Toros, Torreon, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Mexico
40Win37–3Alfredo UrbinoKO3 Nov 14, 1964El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
39Win36–3Eduardo MorenoTKO5 Aug 15, 1964Culiacan, Sinaloa, Mexico
38Win35–3Carlos Morocho HernándezTKO7 Jun 22, 1964Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela
37Win34–3Alfredo UrbinaTKO1 Apr 25, 1964Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
36Win33–3Taketeru YoshimotoKO1 Mar 1, 1964Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
35Win32–3LC MorganKO7 Nov 30, 1963Caracas, Venezuela
34Win31–3Tony PerezTKO3 Nov 16, 1963Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
33Win30–3Francisco CancioKO1 Oct 23, 1963Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
32Win29–3Pulga SerranoTKO10 Aug 19, 1963Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
31Win28–3Baby VasquezPTS10Jul 13, 1963Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
30Win27–3Raul SorianoKO4 May 27, 1963Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
29Loss26–3Alfredo UrbinaPTS10Apr 27, 1963Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
28Win26–2Baby VasquezUD10Mar 30, 1963Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
27Win25–2Baby GutierrezTKO7 Feb 9, 1963Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
26Loss24–2Tony PerezSD10Jan 5, 1963Plaza de Toros, HermosilloPlaza de Toros, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
25Win24–1Tony PerezPTS10Nov 10, 1962Plaza de Toros, Los Mochis, Plaza de Toros, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico
24Win23–1Bobby CervantesTKO1 Sep 29, 1962Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
23Win22–1Kid AnahuacKO9 Aug 25, 1962Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
22Win21–1Enrique CamarenaKO2 Jul 21, 1962Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico
21Win20–1Angel Robinson GarciaPTS10Jun 3, 1961Havana, Cuba
20Win19–1Rolando Chico MoralesUD10Mar 18, 1961Havana, Cuba
19Win18–1Guillermo ValdezUD10Jan 28, 1961Havana, Cuba
18Win17–1Tony PadronDQ5 Dec 17, 1960Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba
17Win16–1Rolando Chico MoralesPTS10Nov 26, 1960Havana, Cuba
16Win15–1Tony PadronUD10Oct 15, 1960Coliseo Nacional, Havana, Cuba
15Win14–1Bunny GrantPTS10Jul 2, 1960Havana, Cuba
14Win13–1Angel Robinson GarciaPTS10May 21, 1960Havana, Cuba
13Win12–1Diwaldo VentosaUD10Feb 20, 1960Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
12Win11–1Isaac EspinosaUD10Jan 2, 1960Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
11Win10–1Bobby CervantesTKO1 Nov 28, 1959Arena Trejo, Havana, Cuba
10Win9–1Augusto NarvalleUD8Nov 14, 1959Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
9Win8–1Cristobal GonzalezUD8Oct 3, 1959Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
8Loss7–1Hilton SmithUD8Aug 22, 1959Coliseo Nacional, Havana, Cuba
7Win7–0Clodoaldo HernandezUD8Jul 25, 1959Coliseo Nacional, Havana, Cuba
6Win6–0Clodoaldo HernandezTKO3 Jul 11, 1959Coliseo Nacional, Havana, Cuba
5Win5–0Juan BacalloTKO4 May 16, 1959Coliseo Nacional, Havana, Cuba
4Win4–0Armando CastilloPTS4Feb 21, 1959Coliseo de la Ciudad, Havana, Cuba
3Win3–0Felix PomaresTKO2 Nov 29, 1958Havana, Cuba
2Win2–0Euripides GuerraTKO4 Oct 11, 1958Coliseo Nacional, Havana, Cuba
1Win1–0Julio Rojas1 Aug 2, 1958Coliseo Nacional, Havana, Cuba