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GPater11093
06-01-2009, 02:22 PM
just watched Napoles sensational performance against Cokes.

How good was Cokes as all i have seen is the 2 Napoles fights
My2Sense
06-01-2009, 03:19 PM
He was good, not truly a great WW champ IMO.

I would say he probably ranks somewhere in the range of Cuevas or Palomino.

He was a very cagey, shifty counterpuncher with a quick, powerful sneak right hand. He hung around as a contender for a long time before winning the title, but lost several key fights and failed to distinguish himself as a leading contender, and even retired a few times (shades of Jersey Joe Walcott). Eventually, after Griffith vacated the title, and many of the other top WWs either moved up or faded away, an opening was made for him at the top and he slipped right in. His biggest claim to fame is that he apparently had Luis Rodriguez's number, as he beat him 2 out of 3. His second win came in an eliminator which earned him his title shot. Rodriguez had been tabbed as the logical successor to Griffith, but Cokes upset the applecart by pounding him into a 15th round stoppage - the first time Rodriguez was ever stopped, I believe. Cokes had a few good wins during his stay at the top, but then was toppled by the next great welter to come along in Napoles, and then faded away after that.
GPater11093
06-01-2009, 03:22 PM
was Napoles masterful performance a great result for Napoles (as in how many other fighters could do that in that fashion)
kinski
06-01-2009, 05:07 PM
He's our own champion here in Dallas and a pillar of the community!!!
WhataRock
06-01-2009, 07:03 PM
Wasnt the LMR fight stopped out of frustration because the ref was very strict on LMR's body punching?

Id love to see that fight.
My2Sense
06-01-2009, 10:39 PM
Wasnt the LMR fight stopped out of frustration because the ref was very strict on LMR's body punching?


I've never heard anything like that. I've only heard that Cokes was punishing him by the late rounds, and was pounding him along the ropes in the last round when Rodriguez's corner threw in the towel.
WhataRock
06-01-2009, 11:11 PM
I've never heard anything like that. I've only heard that Cokes was punishing him by the late rounds, and was pounding him along the ropes in the last round when Rodriguez's corner threw in the towel.


Fair enough...I thought I read an interview from Dundee saying something like that or maybe it was just a case of that affecting his overall performance.
Longhhorn71
06-01-2009, 11:46 PM
Cokes was beginning to fade by the time of the first Napoles fight (but made a great paycheck out in LA).

The second fight was for pure money only.....he really had no true shot to win.

I was told they wanted Nino Benev. but Luis Rodriguez got the shot instead. Nino pulled that fight out late. If LMR had won, he might have fought Cokes.
WhataRock
06-02-2009, 12:08 AM
Cokes was beginning to fade by the time of the first Napoles fight (but made a great paycheck out in LA).

The second fight was for pure money only.....he really had no true shot to win.

I was told they wanted Nino Benev. but Luis Rodriguez got the shot instead. Nino pulled that fight out late. If LMR had won, he might have fought Cokes.

LMR had Nino bleeding bad in that one ay...sliced him open, which he seemed to have knack for doing.

Brutal finish from Benvenuti in that one.
GPater11093
06-02-2009, 06:54 AM
Cokes was beginning to fade by the time of the first Napoles fight (but made a great paycheck out in LA).

The second fight was for pure money only.....he really had no true shot to win.

I was told they wanted Nino Benev. but Luis Rodriguez got the shot instead. Nino pulled that fight out late. If LMR had won, he might have fought Cokes.

i thought Cokes did better in the 2nd fight than the first