Jose Napoles vs. John H. Stracey

[Rover]

I think Palomino should've taken that fight, as he'd have won.

[Rover]

Mr. Rover,

Several issues concerned Jackie McCoy,

1} It would take at least 4-Weeks for Carlos to get acclimated to the high-altitude of Mexico City, and
they didn't think they could get a proper Training-Camp in gear.

2} Concerns with the Mexican Officials

3} Low Fight Purse Offer, and Fight Contract stipulating future fights.

4} Jackie McCoy didn't feel Carlos was quite yet ready for the 'cagey' 35 1/2 year-old Jose Napoles, after
watching his impressive performance in the rematch with Armando Muniz on July 12, 1975.
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* October 16, 1975 {UPI}

It was now apparent that it will be impossible to stage a bout on such 'short notice' for Saturday - November 8, 1975
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* October 30, 1975 {UPI}

Jose Napoles announces that he refuses to leave Mexico City for a bout, and will only fight in Mexico.

The John H. Stracey Camp still wants the bout to be held in London, and asks the WBC to have an immediate
fight purse offer bid, with the 'highest bid' getting the Championship Bout.

My comment was kind of Monday morning quarterbackingbased on the Napoles/Stracey fight.

[Rover]

I understand Mr. R.

Carlos 'Cuco' Conde and Jose Napoles were 'very smart' businessmen during
negotiations.

Despite his great ring skills, 'Mantequilla' was a 'cagey negotiator' who was
always looking for the advantage.

The Welterweight Championship was worth $150,000 per bout for 'Mantequilla'
plus endorsements and other customary fringe niceties.

Wow, he sure blew his money rapidly.

[Rover]

Mr. Rover -

My Uncle was the Manager of the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles back in the 1970's.

He told me that Jose Napoles stayed there more than a few times - and once they had to
advance 'Mantequilla' $15,000 for the money he blew at the Santa Anita Racetrack
on 'one' Saturday Afternoon.

Jose Napoles liked the 'ponies'............ But they did not like him.....

Thoroughbred Racing Season {December thru April}

Those doggone horsies...

[Rover]

Jose Napoles,

Never could catch the back-end of the 'Daily Double'........

Another 'Mantequilla' Fact,

The Mexican Ford Dealers Association would give 'Mantequilla' a brand new Olive Green
Ford LTD every time he fought a Championship Bout in Mexico.

That's why he never wanted to fight anywhere else........

Love those 1970's Ford LTD's......

http://mustangattitude.com/mustang/1975 ... 023_02.jpg

Yikes, he racked up a lot of Fords.

[Rover]

Between - August 1974 and December 1975,

Jose 'Mantequilla' Napoles received '5' new Ford LTD's from the Mexican Ford Dealers Association,
in return for some Promotional Commercials, Sales Advertisements and Appearances.

I wonder if he turned the 'keys' over to Santa Anita Racetrack........ :P

Or the Fords themselves.

[Rover]

Between - August 1974 and December 1975,

Jose 'Mantequilla' Napoles received '5' new Ford LTD's from the Mexican Ford Dealers Association,
in return for some Promotional Commercials, Sales Advertisements and Appearances.

I wonder if he turned the 'keys' over to Santa Anita Racetrack........ :P

Or the Fords themselves.

Hopefully,,,,,,, he left them a full tank of gas............. :P

And fully inflated tires...

[Rover]

Saturday - December 6, 1975

Monumental Plaze de Toros - Mexico City
Attendance; 31,000
Temperature; 54*
Climate; Cool Evening
Time of Bout; 6:30 PM

Tale of the Tape

Jose Napoles (Mexico}
WBC Welterweight Champion
Age..........35 years, 8 months
Height.......5' 7 1/2"
Reach........72"
Weight.......147 lbs.
Record......81-6-0 {54 KO's}

John H. Stracey {Great Britain}
#1 WBC / #1 WBA
Age..........25 years, 2 months
Height......5' 7"
Reach.......70 1/2"
Weight.....145 lbs.
Record.....42-3-1 {34 KO's}

* Betting-Favorite....Jose 'Mantequilla' Napoles {3-1}

Did Napoles bet on his fights?

[Rover]

Good Question Mr. Rover,

But 'Mantequilla' was usually a Heavy-Favorite, so I don't think he made any large bets.

He was a {10-1] Favorite over Armando Muniz in their '1st-Bout' on {March 29, 1975}.

And a {4-1} Favorite in their rematch on {July 12, 1975}.

Mantequilla liked the 'ponies', not fighters....

Betting on himself would've been safer.

[Rover]

4th round scorecards?

[Rover]

Mr. Rover

'Last Minute of Round 4'

Napoles lands a good right hand lead at the {2:02 Mark} as both fighters moved to center-ring.

John Stracey is trying to stay busy with left jabs, but again is holding-and-hitting at the {2:10 Mark}.

Both fighters exchange light left-hands, and each look to counter.

Another clinch-and-hold session for 8-Seconds until the {2:22 Mark}.

Stracey lands a big right-hand to the Champion's left-eye, and Napoles backs up to far section of the
left side ropes at the {2:25 Mark}.

Stracey won't let Napoles counter, and lands '3' nice left jabs into the Champion's face at the {2:30 Mark}
while keeping the Champion along the back ropes.

The Champion comes off the ropes, and lands a left-jab and whips in a hard left-hook to Stracey's chin
at the {2:38 Mark} to move the action to center-ring.

Napoles comes right back with a hard straight-left and perfect right-hand to the chin that hurts Stracey at the
{2:42 Mark}.

The fighters clinch, and Stracey winces in pain from a head-punch inside at the {2:44 Mark}.

Both fighters lightly-exchange over the last 15-Seconds.

Scorecards
* Referee -Meyran........10-9 {Napoles}
* Judge - Guerra..........10-9 {Napoles}
* Judge - Gomez..........10-9 {Napoles}

All '3' Official Sscorecards have Jose Napoles up {38-36} after 4-Rounds.

So the 4th was 10-8...thanks.

[Rover]

No
Thru 4-Rounds

Rounds.............{1} - {2} - {3} - {4}
Jose Napoles...... 10 -- 10 --- 8 --- 10 == 38
John Stracey...... .8 --- 9 --- 10 ---- 9 == 36

Though John Stracey had committed 'numerous fouls' and had been warned 4-Times
by Referee - Octavio Meyran, he had yet to receive a 'point deduction'.

My error.

[Rover]

Wow, that was one dirty fight.

[Rover]

He apparently lost his restaurant rapidly if he got kicked out of his home 3 years later. Fast downfall.

[SenorPipino]

Hard to imagine with all the obvious fouls commited by Stracey that he wasn't rightfully DQ'd in Mexico City. What happened? Did Napoles use up his one "Get Out of Jail Free" card against Muniz the first time?
Didn't recall that Napoles was officially knocked down in this fight, even if it was a rather suspect knockdown. Although it's seldom mentioned, Mantequilla had a terrific chin. Look at all the other legitimate solid blows he absorbed from Stracey at age 35, without going down.
He was also pummeled badly by Muniz in the first fight and stayed upright. And even the much bigger, stronger legend Monzon couldn't put Mantequilla on the canvas.
Are there any other instances of Napoles being knocked down that you're aware of?

[misterpunch]

"john stracey was very cruel to jose napoles" what the fornicate do you think he was doing in mexico city? having a holiday? your analysis of the fight stinks, il duce. I watched the fight at the time and several times since. john was knocked down in round one in one of the most hostile atmospheres in boxing, facing a truly great champion with the odds and the judges stacked almost impossibly against him. johns win was a fantastic achievement and one of the best ever by a brit overseas.

[scartissue]

Senor Pipino,

Jose Napoles was issued a 'Mandatory 8-Count' by Referee - Octavio Meyran in Round 3.

It looked to be a more than a 'full-second' delayed reaction after getting hit by a Stracey
whipping left-hook to the forehead.

Though I do agree, that it looked like Jose Napoles had also slipped, as his feet went out from under him.

But later, Dr. Horacio Ramirez {Physician for Jose Napoles} had stated that Mantequilla's legs had
'started-to-go' in his November 1975 training sessions.

A Disqualification could have easily been issued to John Stracey in that bout, but I believe even the
WBC had wanted Jose Napoles to retire.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I believe Jose 'Mantequilla' Napoles only suffered '3' Knockdowns in his entire career.

* Round 3 vs. John Stracey {December 6, 1975}
* Round 1 vs. Jimmy Fields {October 30, 1966}
* Round 4 vs. Alfredo Urbina {April 27, 1963}

Il Duce, Carlos Hernandez was also credited with a knockdown over Napoles.

[Rover]

Misterpunch,

My analysis is 'spot-on', as I went over that fight numerous times.

What point of the fight review was I incorrect on,,,,,,,,,

Mexican Referee - Octavio Meyran let John Stracey get away with numerous fouls,
warned him several times, and only penalized him '1-Point' for 'holding-and-hitting'.

Yes, the 'odds' were against John, but like I said, he fought an excellent fight -
though he did commit more than a few fouls, and was borderline 'dirty'.

How about this .........why don't you put together a fight review, and count the 'fouls'

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A brief newspaper account.........

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... n7cxN3A9xQ

I've been looking for a response with a contrary analysis. I'd hoped for a dialogue on this bout.

[Rover]

I believe Mister-Punch is a loyal Brit, and takes some issue with my analysis
that John H. Stracey was outright cruel to Jose Napoles in Mexico City.

John fought a 'dirty fight' and committed many fouls when he didn't have to.

The 36 1/2 year-old Cuban was gone by the middle of the 5th Round, and Stracey
not need to pull any cheap shots to win, which he did.

He's British, yes. I've had previous discussions with him.