The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time

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Arnold Raymond Cream of Camden, NJ, was so inspired and influenced by this great fighter that changed his name to Jersey Joe Walcott.

Jersey Joe was born 3 years after the great Barbados Joe Walcott retired from the ring in 1911.

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Now, this is the countdown so far:
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate
68. Wilfred Benitez
67. Carlos Ortiz
66. Jack "Kid" Berg
65. Freddie Miller
64. Battling Battalino
63. Wilfredo Gomez
62. Fidel LaBarba
61. Maxie Rosenbloom
60. Billy Conn
59. Fighting Harada
58. Barbados Joe Walcott

And now, at #57, from Mendoza, Argentina a great one! His name? Pascual Perez, one of the greatest flyweight division greatest champions!

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#57. Pascual Perez
Record: 84-7-1 with 57KOs
KO Pct = 68%
Career: 1952-64
World Titles Held: World Flyweight Champion (1954-60)

Highlights:. World Flyweight Champion that made 10 title defenses ...... Olympic Boxing Gold Medalist in the 1948 Games in London, England.....Won his first 23 fights (Record: 23-0 with 22KOs)......Won his first 18 fights by the way of knockout.....Started his professional boxing career at age 26.....Held the Flyweight World Crown for 6 years......Undefeated in his first 52 bouts. (Record: 51-0-1 with 37KOs).......Won 28 straight fights from March 1961 to April 1963. (Record: 28-0, 19KOs)......Was also Argentinian and South American Flyweight Champion.....Beat 1 out of 3 world champions he faced. (Record versus world champs is 2-3-1, with 1KO).....Never beat a hall of fame boxer. (Record versus Hall of Fame boxers is 0-2, 0KOs)...... Argentina's first boxing world champion, was stopped only 3 times in 92 fights!

Historical Impact: First boxing world champion out of his native country of Argentina...... Considered in boxing history as one of the all-time great Flyweights.......Was the best flyweight boxer of the 1950s decade.

Defining Fight: W15 Yoshio Shirai (II).... November 26, 1954..."Becomes Argentina's first boxing world champion in history"

Other Defining Fights: W15 Leo Espinosa, WTKO11 Oscar Suarez, WKO1 Dai Dower, WKO13 Young Martin, WKO13 Sadao Yaoita (II), and L15 Pone Kingpetch

Your thoughts on this great champion from Argentina.

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There's not enough footage of this great little warrior, Pascual Perez of Argentina.

The footage available of most of his fights are just highlights that last no more than 4 or 5 minutes.

His fights with Pone Kingpetch of Thailand are the only ones available almost to its entirety.

To describe Perez's style, he was a strong fighter. He was strong like an ox. He was listed at 4'11". He was a banging swarmer with good technique. His best punch was the left hook. And he had fast hands and great stamina to go 15 rounds.

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On Saturday, April 16, 1960 at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, Pascual Perez, the great Flyweight World Champion of Argentina, defends his crown for the 10th time.

At 34 years old, he still got a lot more left in the tank. He travels to Thailand for the first time ever. Perez has been in the Far East like countries like Japan and Philippines. It was in Tokyo, Japan where he won his flyweight crown in 1954 against Japan's first ever boxing world champion Yoshio Shirai.

Perez win over Shirai by decision in 15 rounds made him his country of Argentina first world boxing champion.

The challenger is a 24 year old named Pone Kingpetch. A tall and lanky slick boxer that had a great left jab and a right cross, but didn't had enough punching power. At 5'6", he was tall for the division.

The nation of Thailand is ready to receive tonight their first boxing world champion if he beats Perez.

Kingpetch, with a record of 19-3, with only 6 knockouts was ready to put on a show and try to give Thailand their first ever boxing world champion. Can he do it against this tiger?

In July 1957, Kingpetch lost by a close decision to Leo Espinosa of the Philippines, a Perez victim, for the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation Bantamweight Title. But later, Kingpetch dropped pounds in weight and won the OPBF Flyweight crown against Hiroshi Misako on points in 12 rounds in Bangkok in September of same year.

Among other highlights, he beat Pinoy top contenders Dommy Ursua and Danny Kid, who were also Perez's victims.

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Pone Kingpetch displayed his slick and smooth boxing style at the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand to win the World Flyweight Championship from champ Pascual Perez of Argentina by split decision in 15 rounds.

The date of April 16, 1960 will be always be remembered in the nation of Thailand as the first time ever, one of their own became a boxing world champion.

Kingpetch dominated the action with his fast left jab and movement. He did give Perez angles to frustrate him. Perez, at 34, did the best he could. Maybe it was his time to go. After almost 6 years as flyweight king with 9 successful title defenses, he came short in the 10th defense.

Perez dropped to 54-2-1, with 38 knockouts. Is it time to hang up the gloves? What else he got to prove?

As for Kingpetch at 24, improves to 20-3, with 6 knockouts. And the whole country of Thailand is celebrating this victory like never ever seen before. Kingpetch becomes the World Flyweight Champion and the national hero.

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The rematch was set for Thursday, September 22, 1960 at the Olympic Auditorium in n Los Angeles, CA.

It was the first time that both combatants traveled to the Good Ol' USA.

This time, it was worse for Pascual Perez. He started off well in the first four rounds, but, after round 5, it was all Pone Kingpetch's.

Kingpetch gave Perez a master class exhibition of boxing. He was smooth and slick, with great lateral movement and a fast jab.

Perez was on the attack. It was the only way he could get in. Maybe age caught up with him. The rematch was not for him to be.

In somewhere around the fight, Perez suffered a cut in the left eyelid. It was a vicious one. The referee, Mushy Callahan, a former Jr welterweight kingpin from America, stopped the contest in the 8th round.

The winner by TKO in 8 rounds and still the Flyweight Champion of the World! Pone Kingpetch!

Perez drops to 54-3-1, with 38 knockouts. He never again fought for a world title. And retired for good in 1964 at age 38.

Dancing in the streets again in the island of Thailand. Their favorite son, Pone Kingpetch, successfully defended the Flyweight World Crown with superb class. Again, he was superior to Perez. He improves to 21-3, with 6 knockouts.

Kingpetch lost the title twice and regained it, becoming the first boxer to win the Flyweight World Crown 3 times. He retired in 1966.

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Now, this is the countdown so far:
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate
68. Wilfred Benitez
67. Carlos Ortiz
66. Jack "Kid" Berg
65. Freddie Miller
64. Battling Battalino
63. Wilfredo Gomez
62. Fidel LaBarba
61. Maxie Rosenbloom
60. Billy Conn
59. Fighting Harada
58. Barbados Joe Walcott
57. Pascual Perez

Since there's no more video footage of the great Pascual Perez, we move in to number 56. This guy, was as smooth as butter. The fans called him "Mantequilla".

From Santiago, Cuba, but resident of Mexico for many years, this is the great Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles! One of the best welterweight champions in history!

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#56. Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles
Record: 81-7 with 54KOs
KO Pct = 67%
Career: 1958-75
World Titles Held: World Welterweight Champion (1969-70, 1971-75)

Highlights:. Two-time World Welterweight Champion that made 15 title defenses in two reigns ...... Eleven of those title defenses were made in second reign.....Fought in 18 world title bouts. (Record: 15-3, with 9KOs).....Lost once in first 25 contests. (Record 24-1, with 9KOs)......Won 17 fights in a row from October 1959 to November 1962.......From May 1963 to July 1966, won 19 fights in a row. (Record: 19-0, with 18KOs).......Won 12 fights in a row by the way of knockout from August 1963 to March 1965.......Lost only once in 40 fights from May 1963 to October 1970. (Record: 39-1, with 35 knockouts), winning 20 fights in a row from October 1966 to October 1970. (Record: 20-0, with 17KOs).....From March 1971 to September 1973 won 12 fights in a row. (Record: 12-0, 8KOs)......The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 1969, becoming the first Latin or Hispanic boxer to do so.....Beat 6 out of 8 world champions. (Record versus world champs is 8-3, 5KOs).......Beat 3 out of 4 hall of fame boxers. (Record versus Hall of Fame boxers is 5-1, 3KOs).

Historical Impact: First Latino or Hispanic boxer to win The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year Award in 1969.......One of the greatest welterweights of all-time, was the best welterweight of the 1970s decade......Voted by The Ring Magazine in the list of the 100 Greatest Punchers Pound per Pound of All-time.

Defining Fight: WTKO13 Curtis Cokes.... April 18, 1969..."After being ducked for years, finally becomes world champion."

Other Defining Fights: W15 Emile Griffith, WTKO15 Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez , LTKO4 Billy Backus, WTKO8 Billy Backus (II), W15 Hedgemon Lewis, and LTKO6 Carlos Monzon

Your thoughts on this great champion from Cuba that made the country of Mexico his home.

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The great Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles of Cuba moved and defected to Mexico because the Fidel Castro's government abolished professional boxing.

From 1958 to 1959, Mantequilla fought as a featherweight. In 1960, Mantequilla jumped on weight and fought at lightweight until the year 1964. In those four years as a lightweight, Mantequilla beat outstanding boxers like Angel Robinson Garcia (Cuba), Bunny Grant (Jamaica), Kid Anahuac (Mexico), Baby Vazquez (Mexico), Alfredo Urbina (Mexico) in the rematch, LC Morgan (USA), and Carlos "Morocho" Hernandez (Venezuela).

He was positioned in the top 5 of the lightweight rankings for a title shot in 1964. Did the great champion Carlos Ortiz of Puerto Rico dodged him?

The bout that is only available on YouTube at lightweight, was his rematch with Alfredo Urbina. Mantequilla displays on film his speed, great left hook and a right cross to boot. He also had some wicked uppercuts with both hands. What a fighter! He looked lean and mean and also very young. He was 24. He dispatched Urbina in only one round!

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In 1965, Mantequilla jumped to Jr welterweight at 140lbs. At that weight class, he beat American boxers Eddie Perkins and LC Morgan and Italian Giodari Campari.

Why didn't he receive a title shot there? I don't know. He left the Jr welterweight division in 1968.

In 1968, Mantequilla jumped to welterweight at 147lbs and made his mark at that weight class as one of the all time greats of that division.

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Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles title shot finally came after beating his next 7 welterweight opponents.

Cagey veteran Curtis Cokes, the World Welterweight Champion from Dallas, TX, finally is brave enough of all the champions from lightweight to welterweight to give him a title shot.

At 29, Mantequilla finally got his chance. But, many sportswriters of the time were saying that probably his shot at the title was too late. In the other hand, the champion Cokes was older than Mantequilla. He was 31 years old.

So two veterans are fighting for the World Welterweight Title. Cokes came to The Forum in Inglewood, CA making his 6th title defense. He had a record of 55-9--3, with 27KOs. A slick boxer with a fast right hand lead, Cokes started his career in 1957. By 1969, Cokes has fought great opposition including beating the great Luis Manuel Rodriguez 2 out 3 fights. He stopped Rodriguez in the rubber match in July 1966 and had the right to fight for the vacant World Welterweight Title against Manuel Gonzalez of Odessa, TX in August of same year.

Many Mexican nationals and immigrants came to the packed forum to exhort their hero Napoles, although born in Cuba, was considered as Mexican national. Napoles became one of their own. His adopted country, Mexico, gave him all the love that a foreigner could want.

On April 18, 1969 on a Friday night at the Forum, Mantequilla did not disappoint his followers. From the beginning of the fight, he took command and dominated the champion. Was Cokes in decline? I don't know. But, Mantequilla made it look so easy. He hit Cokes everytime whenever he wanted to. Those were crisp combinations from the challenger. He looked sharp and on point.

Cokes, was taking a beating like a man. The crowd, mostly Latino from Mexico, were exuberant by every punch Mantequilla threw: left hooks, right crosses, uppercuts. The whole nine. Those punches were thrown with accuracy and precision.

The American referee, George Latka, a former boxer himself back in the 1930s and 40s, went to Cokes's corner by the 13th round to see if the champ can continue. It was enough.

Mantequilla finally became world boxing champion. A well deserved win that was long overdue. With tears in his eyes, Mantequilla was lifted up by his supporters as the new hero from Cuba, Mexico and the whole Latin America.

The winner by TKO in the 13th round, and new Welterweight Champion of the World!: Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles.

Napoles improves to 60-4, with 38 knockouts. He only received $20,000 dollars to give Cokes an ass whupping. Cokes received $80,000 and came back to his hometown of Dallas, TX with a face that his mama could not recognize him. It was a mess. But, he was brave enough to give Mantequilla the title shot that he longly deserved.

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Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles's win over Curtis Cokes ignited the beginning of the Latin American Invasion in boxing.

From 1969 to 1980, Latin boxers dominated the sport of boxing so good, in which there was a big outcry by the American Boxing media.

By 1976, almost every weight class had a world champion not born in U.S soil. The only American boxers that were world boxing champions in 1976 were the great Muhammad Ali at heavyweight and Danny "Little Red" Lopez at featherweight. Every other weight class, the champion was mostly from a Latin country.

And that period produced probably the finest Latino boxers that ever stepped or seen in the ring. Some became true all-time pound per pound great boxers.

Fighters like Carlos Monzon (Argentina) at middleweight, Roberto Duran (Panama) at lightweight, Alexis Arguello (Nicaragua) at featherweight and jr lightweight and Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez (Puerto Rico) at super bantamweight became arguably the greatest boxers of their weight classes.

Some boxers like Antonio Cervantes "Kid Pambele" of Colombia and Arguello for example, became national heroes and first world boxing champions of their respective countries.

In Puerto Rico, a young boy at only 17 years of age, became the youngest world champion in boxing history when the great Wilfred Benitez took the WBA World Jr Welterweight Crown from Cervantes on March 6, 1976.

At Bantamweight division alone, it was totally dominated by Latin boxers born in Mexico. It was the golden era of the bantamweight class. Bantam Mexican fighters like Ruben Olivares and Carlos Zarate for example, were terrific and feared KO artists with records of knockouts never seen before or since. The two guys mentioned, also became all time pound per pound great boxers in their own right. Other good Mexican Bantamweights from that golden era were Chucho Castillo, Jesus Pimentel, Rafael Herrera, Rodolfo Martinez, Alfonso Zamora, Jose Medel and Romeo Anaya.

In Panama, in 1972, the country became boxing's embassador by having 4 world champions: Enrique "Maravilla" Pinder at Bantamweight, Alfonso "Peppermint" Frazier at Jr welter, Roberto Duran at lightweight, and Ernesto "Nato" Marcel at featherweight.

The same happened in Puerto Rico in 1977 when the island had 5 world champions: Wilfred Benitez at 140lbs, Esteban De Jesus at lightweight (WBC version), Samuel Serrano at Jr lightweight (WBA) with Alfredo "El Salsero" Escalera (WBC) and Wilfredo Gomez at Super Bantamweight.

It was the golden era of Latin boxing. And all the domination started when Mantequilla won the welterweight crown in 1969. Even at that, Mantequilla became the first Latin boxer to win The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year Award. Other Latin boxers that won the award in that time period were Carlos Monzon (1972) and Carlos Zarate (1977).

Other great champions that rose in that era: Miguel Canto of Mexico at flyweight, Pipino Cuevas (Mexico) at welterweight, Carlos Palomino (Mexico) also at welterweight (WBC version), Eusebio Pedroza (Panama) at featherweight (WBA version), Salvador Sanchez (Mexico) at featherweight (WBC. version), Victor Galindez (Argentina) at light-heavyweight (WBA version), Rodrigo Valdez of Colombia at middleweight (WBC version) and Bobby Chacon although born in America, was considered a Latin fighter.

The reign of Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles of Cuba is about to take place as king of the welterweights.

[elmersalsa]

Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles's win over Curtis Cokes ignited the beginning of the Latin American Invasion in boxing.

From 1969 to 1980, Latin boxers dominated the sport of boxing so good, in which there was a big outcry by the American Boxing media.

By 1976, almost every weight class had a world champion not born in U.S soil. The only American boxers that were world boxing champions in 1976 were the great Muhammad Ali at heavyweight and Danny "Little Red" Lopez at featherweight. Every other weight class, the champion was mostly from a Latin country.

And that period produced probably the finest Latino boxers that ever stepped or seen in the ring. Some became true all-time pound per pound great boxers.

Fighters like Carlos Monzon (Argentina) at middleweight, Roberto Duran (Panama) at lightweight, Alexis Arguello (Nicaragua) at featherweight and jr lightweight and Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez (Puerto Rico) at super bantamweight became arguably the greatest boxers of their weight classes.

Some boxers like Antonio Cervantes "Kid Pambele" of Colombia and Arguello for example, became national heroes and first world boxing champions of their respective countries.

In Puerto Rico, a young boy at only 17 years of age, became the youngest world champion in boxing history when the great Wilfred Benitez took the WBA World Jr Welterweight Crown from Cervantes on March 6, 1976.

At Bantamweight division alone, it was totally dominated by Latin boxers born in Mexico. It was the golden era of the bantamweight class. Bantam Mexican fighters like Ruben Olivares and Carlos Zarate for example, were terrific and feared KO artists with records of knockouts never seen before or since. The two guys mentioned, also became all time pound per pound great boxers in their own right. Other good Mexican Bantamweights from that golden era were Chucho Castillo, Jesus Pimentel, Rafael Herrera, Rodolfo Martinez, Alfonso Zamora, Jose Medel and Romeo Anaya.

In Panama, in 1972, the country became boxing's embassador by having 4 world champions: Enrique "Maravilla" Pinder at Bantamweight, Alfonso "Peppermint" Frazier at Jr welter, Roberto Duran at lightweight, and Ernesto "Nato" Marcel at featherweight.

The same happened in Puerto Rico in 1977 when the island had 5 world champions: Wilfred Benitez at 140lbs, Esteban De Jesus at lightweight (WBC version), Samuel Serrano at Jr lightweight (WBA) with Alfredo "El Salsero" Escalera (WBC) and Wilfredo Gomez at Super Bantamweight.

It was the golden era of Latin boxing. And all the domination started when Mantequilla won the welterweight crown in 1969. Even at that, Mantequilla became the first Latin boxer to win The Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year Award. Other Latin boxers that won the award in that time period were Carlos Monzon (1972) and Carlos Zarate (1977).

Other great champions that rose in that era: Miguel Canto of Mexico at flyweight, Pipino Cuevas (Mexico) at welterweight, Carlos Palomino (Mexico) also at welterweight (WBC version), Eusebio Pedroza (Panama) at featherweight (WBA version), Salvador Sanchez (Mexico) at featherweight (WBC. version), Victor Galindez (Argentina) at light-heavyweight (WBA version), Rodrigo Valdez of Colombia at middleweight (WBC version) and Bobby Chacon although born in America, was considered a Latin fighter.

The reign of Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles of Cuba is about to take place as king of the welterweights.

Let's not forget Lupe Pintor of Mexico. Another outstanding champion.

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The rematch set on Sunday, June 29, 1969 at the Monumental Plaza de Todos Bull Ring in Mexico City, Mexico saw their idol Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles, defend his newly won World Welterweight Crown against the guy he took the title from, Curtis Cokes of Dallas, TX.

Fight #2 wasn't any different than fight #1. As a matter of fact, it was a continuation of a severe beating from the first encounter. Another butchery. Mantequilla proved his superiority against Cokes in which from round 2, he didn't lose another damned round. It was all Mantequilla's.

It was worse than the original fight. The fight was stopped in round 10. They wore the same shorts, (Mantequilla in white and Cokes in red), but in different places and different round endings.

This got to be Cokes, 32, last title fight. He should retire. He was beaten by a fantastic and exceptional champion who at 29 years old, still looks sensational in giving you the business.

Mantequilla retains his Welterweight Title by a tenth round technical knockout and improves to 61-4, with 39 knockouts. What a record!

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On Friday, October 17, 1969, Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles of Cuba, but Mexico's adopted son, returns to the Inglewood Forum in Inglewood, CA to defend for the second time, his World Welterweight Crown against the great Emile Griffith of the US Virgin Islands.

Griffith 31, was already a three-time Welterweight World Champion and a two-time World Middleweight Champion. He was also, for a brief period, the World Jr Middleweight Champion in 1962, becoming the first champion of the 154lbs class.

One of the best fighters of the 1960s decade, Griffith fought almost all the best fighters from welterweight to middleweight. He fought the who's who of those divisions, with the exception of Gene Fullmer, Carmen Basilio and Joey Giardello.

Already a boxing hall of famer, he beat such luminaries like Benny "Kid" Paret, Luis Manuel Rodriguez, Jorge Fernandez, Florentino Fernandez, Gaspar Ortega, Ralph Dupas, Denny Moyer, Isaac Logart, Dick Tiger and Nino Benvenutti. Some of them he beat twice. Some of them three times!

Griffith was making his 57th fight in the decade. Napoles, 29, was not shabby, either. Napoles was making his 54th fight in the decade!

So, we are having two boxers with 111 fights between them in one decade alone. Two fighters that had a combined total of 135 fights! That's a lot of experience between two fighters in a championship bout.

Griffith was making his 18th world title appearance. The most in the decade. It was going to be his last fight of the 1960s decade.

The fight started off well. Griffith would have wished that the fight was in New York City than in Los Angeles. Almost all the support was from the Mexican fans that came to root for their hero, Napoles.

It was Mantequilla's first three rounds all the way! In round 3, he dropped Griffith with a terrific right uppercut. Griffith fell on his knees and took the 8-second mandatory count from American referee Dick Young. The crowd went wild.

Griffith won round 4 and made it competitive until round 8, But, after round 8, it was all Mantequilla's. He was hitting Griffith at will. Griffith looked flat. Totally flat. Could it be that the going up and down in weight a big factor? He was sluggish. No fire. No speed. But, his experience held him up for the 15 rounds.

Mantequilla? Well, he looked very smooth and fast at times. But, it gave me the impression that he didn't put the pedal on the gas all the way through. He coasted some rounds. And many believed that if he would a turn up the heat, he would have stopped Griffith.

It wasn't necessary. Mantequilla won big and dominated the aging ex-champion that was trying to win the welterweight crown for the fourth time. No fighter has ever won the title four times. Griffith is the only fighter to this day and since, to win the Welterweight World Championship 3 times.

It was both great fighter's last title and pro fight of the 1960s decade.

Mantequilla improves to 62-4, with 39 knockouts. He had 31 KOs of his last 36 fights.

Griffith dropped to 60-11, with 20KOs. Still, he wanted to continue fighting. He fought twice more for the great Carlos Monzon's middleweight crown failing in both occasions. Griffith retired in 1977.

[elmersalsa]

The year 1969 was probably one of the best years or perhaps, the best year for Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles' boxing career.

He won all of his four fights, made more money than he ever made before, became world champion of the 147lbs class and was awarded by The Ring Magazine as the Fighter of the Year. It was the first time in the history of boxing that a fighter born in Latin America became the winner of the award.

He beat two champions and hall of famers in Curtis Cokes (twice by knockout) and Emile Griffith (W15).

Now the year 1970, a new decade, starts defending his crown for the third time against game and tough hombre named Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez of Los Angeles, CA.

The top contender of the welterweight class, Lopez, 24, started his career in 1963. He earned his standing by winning the California and American welterweight titles. Now, he is aiming at the world title possessed by Napoles.

Indian Red had only lost 2 fights of his last 19. He had a ten-fight win streak from March 1967 to February 1968. Among his best wins, he beat Jose Stable of Cuba (W10), Raul Soriano of Mexico in the rematch (WTKO9), Hedgemon Lewis of Detroit, MI (Two out of three), Chucho Garcia of Mexico (W10), Johnny Brooks of Wichita, KS (W12), for the North American Boxing Welterweight Crown, and Andy Gonzalez of California (WKO7) for the California State Welterweight Title. But it was his rubber-match decision win over Lewis that put him as the number one contender for the world crown.

Indian Red came into the fight with a record of 39-5-1 with 19 knockouts. At 5'9", Lopez was tall for the weight class, but wasn't a hard puncher. But, he was definitely game and courageous. A very busy boxer with good technique.

The fight was set on St Valentine's Day of Saturday night of February 14, 1970 at the famous Forum of Inglewood, CA.

And the fireworks began in the first round as promised. Both fighters were throwing leather from the start, but a left hook by Mantequilla made the difference in the round by dropping Lopez to an eight-count.

But, Lopez gained control, in my view, the second to the sixth rounds by out punching the champion. Starting round 7, Mantequilla took over with his sublime and slick boxing skills, but Indian Red wasn't going anywhere. He stood right there in the fight, throwing leather of his own and won the 14th round.

Sensing that he got to do big in the last round, Indian Red went all out, do or die with the great champion. It was the first time that Mantequilla ever stepped the 15th and last round. So did Lopez. Another left hook dropped Indian Red again. His face was all bloodied from punches of Napoles. Again, Mantequilla dropped Lopez. But, game and determined, Lopez kept on. A barrage of lefts and rights to Lopez's face by the champion and the referee, Larry Rozadilla had to intervene. It was too much.

The winner by TKO in the last round and still the Welterweight Champion of the World! Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles!

[elmersalsa]

Mantequilla, 29, improves to 63-4 with 40 knockouts! They will meet again. That narrative in the days to come.

[elmersalsa]

Due that Mantequilla had 4 straight fights within a year, it was rewarding at least, to take a break and to fight an easy opponent.

Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles, now 30, had two tune up ten-round bouts after the war with top contender Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez.

In August 1970, Mantequilla took on Fighting Mack, a journeyman from Williamstead, Curacao. The fight was at the Inglewood Forum. Napoles won by a third round knockout.

In October, he had another tune up ten-round fight against Pete Toro of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. This time, this fight went longer, but Mantequilla's class was too much and won by technical knockout in 9 rounds. It was also the first time in Mantequilla's career, and only time, that he fought at the famous Madison Square Garden in New York City. It was also the seventh time that Mantequilla fights in America.

Mantequilla improves to 65-4, with 42 knockouts! What a record!

[elmersalsa]

The great Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles of Mexico City, Mexico via Santiago, Cuba at 30, was still at the peak of his powers.

He had 4 straight tough fights since April 1969 when he defeated champ Curtis Cokes of Dallas, TX for the Welterweight Title and ended with a 15th round TKO win over Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez of Los Angeles, CA in February 1970 in his 3rd title defense.

Mantequilla took it easy in his next two fights in 1970. Deservedly so. Six months later, in August, he dispatched Fighting Mack of Curacao in 3. Then, he flew to New York City for the first and only time in his career at the Madison Square Garden to fight Pete Toro of Puerto Rico ending Toro in 9 rounds.

Mantequilla was at the peak of his powers, and was in a 20-fight hot winning streak since October 1966. He hasn't lost a fight since August of that year.

On Thursday, December 3rd, 1969, Mantequilla came to Syracuse, NY to defend his World Welterweight Crown for the fourth time against local Billy Backus of Canastota.

Backus, is the nephew of former two-time Welterweight and Middleweight World Champion, the great Carmen Basilio, who's claim to fame was beating the great Sugar Ray Robinson for the middleweight crown in 1957.

Backus, 24, a southpaw, started his career in 1961, the same year that his Uncle Carmen retired. By 1965, his record was so bad (8-7-3), that he had a brief retirement. But, in October 1967, he resumed his career and took the business seriously. Since his return to the sport, Backus accumulated a record of 24-3-1 with 11 knockout wins.

On the way to the title, Backus stopped Ricky Ortiz for the New York State Welterweight Title in 8 rounds. In July, Backus emerged as the #1 contender of Mantequilla's crown when he defeated long-time welterweight top contender Manuel Gonzalez of Odessa, TX by decision in 10.

Backus is in a 7-fight unbeaten streak. Now, he got the opportunity to become champion just like his uncle was.

The fight started and it was fast-paced from the get go. Both started throwing leather non-stop. The crowd loved it. But, Mantequilla was winning most of those exchanges against the southpaw Backus.

But, something strange happened in round one. Mantequilla got cut clearly by a clash of heads. It was an unintentional head butt. In round 2, it was all Mantequilla's. He was having his way with the challenger.

In round 3, Backus turned up the heat of the battle by scoring lefts and rights of his own. It was a violent exchange of punches between them that the crowd went wild, rooting for their hometown boy.

Round #4 came, and unexpectedly, the referee, Jack Milicich of New York City, abruptly stops the bout. Unbelievable! He hugs Mantequilla, who wasn't hurt, but had the cut, and declares Billy Backus as the new Welterweight Champion of the World! Unbelievable!

The crowd went wild and nuts. They celebrated immensely into a felrenzy. Their hometown boy is champion.

It was Backus' great night to remember. It was his greatest night. But, did he really win?

[elmersalsa]

The stoppage was so ridiculous that it was one of the worst and bogus stoppages in the history of boxing.

Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles was a victim of boxing racism. I can't see it another way. The loss, it destroyed Mantequilla's reputation with a loss that really deserves an asterisk. He unjustly lost his coveted welterweight crown by a racist and incompetent referee.

Mantequilla drops to 64-5, with 42 knockouts

Backus improves to 33-10-1 with 12 knockouts and is the new Welterweight Champion of the World!

The year 1970 was not a good year for their Mexican boxing heroes. A week later on December 11th, the great Vicente Saldivar, El Zurdo de Oro, lost his WBC World Featherweight Crown to Kuniaki Shibata of Japan by TKO in 11 rounds. And three months earlier, in October, the great Ruben Olivares loses his World Bantamweight Crown to countryman Chucho Castillo on cuts in 14 brutal rounds.

So, three Mexican boxing heroes lost their respective titles in 1970. Unbelievable!

[elmersalsa]

The year was 1971. Mantequilla is without his coveted welterweight crown. It seemed very strange for him without it. So, he quickly got in gear and started his comeback for the crown.

Three months after losing his crown to Billy Backus of Canastota, NY, Napoles went back to work at the Arena Coliseum in March, dispatching top contender Manuel Gonzalez of Odessa, TX in 6 rounds.

And just like that, Mantequilla is again, the number one challenger for the World Welterweight Crown owned by Backus.

And on the night of Friday, June 4, 1971 is once again fighting to get back the title.

Well, at 31, Mantequilla looked as good as ever. Jabs, left hooks, right uppercuts were all synchronizing. A thing of beauty. Backus, the champion, didn't know where the punches were coming from. Mantequilla was too slick and too fast for him. The only hope that he had was that somewhat, somehow, Mantequilla's old cut from the first fight reopened. But, this time, Mantequilla was much more aware of it and kept beating Backus to the punch.

Backus started to have a nasty cut himself by Mantequilla's punches. In round 8, Mantequilla dropped twice his foe and the referee Dick Young of Los Angeles, CA stopped the contest because of Backus' eyelid cut.

The crowd at the Forum in Inglewood, CA went static. Their hero Napoles, is champion again. Deservedly so. Mantequilla and Mexico, recovered the glory.

Backus, was paid $90,000 dollars for the thrashing given by Mantequilla. He probably won one round. That's it!

Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles, the new Welterweight Champion of the World, received $30,000.

Mantequilla improves to 67-5, with 44 knockouts!

As for Backus? Well, it seemed that he went back to his old ways. He lost more often than not in the next 4 years. Since losing to Mantequilla, Backus went 7-8 in his next 15 fights.

But, like he did in 1967, he did had a rejuvenated spirit and took things seriously again starting in August 1975 and went unbeaten in his next 11 fights by winning 10 in a row.

But, on May 1978, he challenged Mexico's young hero, twenty year old WBA World Welterweight Champion Jose "Pipino" Cuevas at the same Forum. Backus, a bleeder, was stopped by cuts in 2 rounds.

[elmersalsa]

After winning back his coveted welterweight crown, Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles of Mexico City via Santiago, Cuba was as happy as he could be. He was champion again!

But, this time, Mantequilla wasn't going to defend his crown right away like he did in his first reign. This time, it seemed for any odd reason that he had 3 fights after winning the crown to keep himself active. But, those fights were not world title defenses.

In July 1971, in Monterrey, he stopped David Melendez of Puerto Rico in only 5 stanzas. In August at the famous Forum in Inglewood, CA, Napoles stopped top contender Jean Josselin of France also in 5. And in October he decisioned tough Esteban Osuna of Argentina in ten rounds at the he Arena Coliseo of Mexico City.

All wins for the delight of his followers, telling them that he's back and not to worry anytime soon about losing the crown again. Mantequilla was in position to show his fans that they got a champion for long term.

It's five fights so far that Mantequilla had in 1971. And in December, he got a mandatory defense against Hedgemon Lewis of Detroit, MI sometime at the Forum.

With all these 5 fights withstanding, Mantequilla had a an extraordinary record of 70-5, with 46KOs!

[elmersalsa]

Jose "Mantequilla" Napoles finally makes a title defense of his recaptured Welterweight Crown when he beat Billy Backus of Canastota, NY in the rematch at the Forum in June 1971.

The title fight will be at the Forum of Inglewood, CA against top contender Hedgemon Lewis of Detroit, MI.

So, on Tuesday, December 14, 1971, Mantequilla makes his first defense since regaining the title. It was his 6th fight for the year.

Lewis, 25, a professional since May 1966, was trained by the legendary American trainer Eddie Futch, the trainer of champions.

Lewis came into the fight with a respectable record of 40-3, with 22KOs. Two of his 3 losses came against Ernie "Indian Red" Lopez of California. Indian Red, already a Napoles' victim, stopped Lewis twice. The other loss in Lewis' record was against top contender Adolph Pruitt of St Louis, MO on points.

Among his best wins, Lewis beat on to that point were against future Super Welterweight World Champion Oscar Albarado of Texas by decision. Albarado was unbeaten in 24 fights.

Lewis also beat Lopez by decision in the second time around. And also had a win against top contender Raul Soriano of Mexico by decision in ten rounds.

With that resume, Lewis believed that he was ready for world title contention.

The fight started and both fighters were wary of the other. It was a back and forth technical fight in which Mantequilla had the nod for more punching output. But, Mantequilla, unlike of his fights, seemed like if he was in an off night. He looked lethargic and into my estimation, slow. Could it be that he had too many fights in a year too many? Or was he well prepared for the bout?

Lewis' jab caused Mantequilla a lot of problems. His jab was fast and accurate, but without pep in his punching. He made the fight close. And if he would have risked much more, he probably would have been the new Welterweight Champion of the World. But, it wasn't meant to be.

Mantequilla retains his Welterweight Crown by unanimous decision. Mantequilla received $90,000 dollars for his title defense against Lewis. It was one of his biggest paydays.

Also on the card, Ruben Olivares of Mexico, was defending his World Bantamweight Crown against countryman Jesus Pimentel.

Mantequilla improves to 71-5 with 46 knockouts!

[elmersalsa]

On his first fight of the year 1972, Mantequilla travels to London, England to defend his World Welterweight Crown against local Ralph Charles.

The fight was set on Tuesday, March 28, 1972 at the Empire Pool of Wembley in London. Charles had a respectable record of 39-3 with 33 knockouts. So, the guy can hit!

On February 1968, Charles became British Empire Welterweight Champion when he defeated Johnny Cooke on points in 15 rounds. On November 1970, Charles steps up a notch when he defeated Johann Orsolics by knockout in 12 to win the European Welterweight Title in Vienna, Austria.

Is Charles ready for world title contention against one of the welterweight division's all-time best?