Jose Napoles vs. Ralph Charles

Jose Napoles 146 lbs beat Ralph Charles 147 lbs by KO at 2:52 in round 7 of 15

• Date: 1972-03-28
• Location: Empire Pool, Wembley, London, United Kingdom
• Referee: James Brimmell

"Cuban-born Jose Napoles knocked out Britain's Ralph Charles in the 7th round Tuesday night to retain his world welterweight title. It was an even bout until Napoles let loose with a barrage that floored Charles in the 7th. He was flat on his back when he was counted out after 2:52 of the round. Napoles started off aggressively and landed some strong body punches and a jolting left hook to the Briton's jaw in the 3rd round. The crowd of about 6,000 cheered as Charles landed some good combinations in the 4th. In the 5th, Napoles appeared to be slowing down as Charles kept the champion at bay. Charles came on strongly again in the 6th landing a right to the jaw and a sharp left to the face. Then Napoles came alive in the 7th, hounding his opponent from one side of the ring to the other before putting him away with a left hook followed by a right cross. British referee James Brimmell then counted Charles out." -Associated Press

• On the undercard of this bout in two scheduled 10-rounders, Joe Bugner fought American Brian O'Melia and world lightweight champ Ken Buchanan engaged Canada's Al Ford in a non-title bout.