Would Hearns jab & hand speed cut up Napoles before he could get in close enough to drop some hammers?Napoles had a good chin,excellent stamina,and good power.Plus he was as slick as they come.But everyone knows how good of a boxer Hearns was using that speed and reach.If Hearns could keep him outside,I think he would score a t.k.o. on cuts.BUT if Napoles gets in(and he very well may with his slickness) he would take Hearns out.If Hearns thought Benitez was slick,Napoles was that slick,plus had K.O.power.
I see a peak Napoles wearing Hearns down with his body attacks and winning by ko in about 12 rounds. This would be a great fight, with Hearns probably marking Napoles up a lot... but Napoles would get stronger as the fight went on and his body attacks would wear Hearns down for the ko...
While I'm pondering this over in my head, does anyone know how many times if ever, Jose Napoles was down as a pro ? Didn't he remain on his feet for Backus I, Monzon and Stracey ?
Seamus wrote:While I'm pondering this over in my head, does anyone know how many times if ever, Jose Napoles was down as a pro ? Didn't he remain on his feet for Backus I, Monzon and Stracey ?
Stracey had him down and I think Monzon did too, but Napoles had a great chin. Napoles only real weakness was a tendency to get cuts. But this really got worse later in his career.
Napoles couldnt outbox Hearns and he couldnt out punch him. Hearns stinging jab would have ripped his sensitve skin open and his deadly right hand would have kept at bay. Hearns either by comfortable decision or late round ko.
Curious, does everyone who says Napoles would prevail also rate Napoles higher than Hearns in the all time dept? I think this sort of hits my "anamolies" list where I rate Hearns higher but oddly think Napoles might defeat him in 2 out of 3.
