Jose Napoles vs Henry Armstrong

[Russell]

Who, and why?

[MRBILL]

I haven't the slightest.... Too even there..... At 147, I'll go with Jose Napoles....... Hank Armstrong was actually a tad smaller than Napoles.... Anything above 140 its gotta' be Napoles..... Peace...

MR.BILL

[Bad_Intentions]

Napoles UD.

[Raging B(_)LL]

Napoles takes this. If ol` Fritizie was able to slice and dice up Hammerin` Henry with those uppercuts whenever Henry tried to bullrush his way in, then the Cuban and his more accurate and scythelike hooks and uppercuts will do an even better job of it. Zivic said that he noticed as the fight wore on that whenever he threw a whole bunch of uppercuts on the bobbin n` weavin Armstrong that while he would miss with quite a few, he would also be nailing Henry with a lot of em` and this took its toll on him as the fight progressed.

Napoles was deadly accurate, much moreso than Zivic and he rarely wasted any energy on unnecessary punches as he rarely missed, period and he will be nailing the incoming Armstrong with lots of heavy leather in this one. Now add the fact that he has more power than Zivic did as well and you have yourself difficult mountain to overcome for Henry, and I don`t he could have which is why I think he loses a decision. But this scenario only plays out if Jose comes in fully prepared, because if he did his training in the cantinas and clubs he is in for a loong night and a repeat of the first Muniz bout in which he got his ass kicked. throroughly.

[PowerPuncher]

Napoles wide UD - better movement, more skill, better puncher, better speed, better defense, movement, reach, power etc etc. Armstrong edges in stamina, tenacity and workrate aren't going to stop him eating shot after shot but it will see him stay in the fight and have his moments if Napoles rests at any time

Interestingly Napoles started out as a feather himself

[teeto]

Napoles imo, he'll be able to use his range of skills here up close, even he may have a bit of trouble boxing though, as Armstrong is relentless, but the butter man takes this.

[Sweet Pea]

I actually think Armstrong would give Napoles quite a few problems with his constant workrate, power shots, and punches from all angles. Enough to make sure Napoles has to maintain a constant workrate of his own, and possibly get drawn into too many trades which could result in his face coming out looking the worse of the two. I would favor him though for the reasons mentioned.

[Robbi]

Napoles wide UD - better movement, more skill, better puncher, better speed, better defense, movement, reach, power etc etc. Armstrong edges in stamina, tenacity and workrate aren't going to stop him eating shot after shot but it will see him stay in the fight and have his moments if Napoles rests at any time

Interestingly Napoles started out as a feather himself

You got anything positive and realistic to say about Armstrong?

[Robbi]

I actually think Armstrong would give Napoles quite a few problems with his constant workrate, power shots, and punches from all angles. Enough to make sure Napoles has to maintain a constant workrate of his own, and possibly get drawn into too many trades which could result in his face coming out looking the worse of the two. I would favor him though for the reasons mentioned.

Napoles' smooth movement and ability to move, in and out, and to the side would be his ticket to controlling Armstrong. I like Naploes' fleet footed movement around the ring. He's not up against a massive physical fighter here who had a style like his own. Armstrong's style for the most part plays into Napoles hands, although the sheer volume and workrate causes problems.

[Sweet Pea]

Napoles' smooth movement and ability to move, in and out, and to the side would be his ticket to controlling Armstrong. I like Naploes' fleet footed movement around the ring. He's not up against a massive physical fighter here who had a style like his own. Armstrong's style for the most part plays into Napoles hands, although the sheer volume and workrate causes problems.But against a constant pressuring fighter Napoles would not be allowed to fight at the calculated pace he used against a guy like Cokes, who played right into his hands. I see it being more difficult for Napoles to maintain that kind of movement and distance constantly with such an unrelenting opponent. I would favor Napoles though, probably more for his offensive arsenal than his movement actually, though both would come into effect.

[Robbi]

I would favor Napoles though, probably more for his offensive arsenal than his movement actually, though both would come into effect.

Yep, he'd need both.

[PowerPuncher]

You got anything positive and realistic to say about Armstrong?

Which of the skills I mention do you rate Armstrong over Napoles on? I did say he had better workrate/stamina/tenacity

[Robbi]

But against a constant pressuring fighter Napoles would not be allowed to fight at the calculated pace he used against a guy like Cokes, who played right into his hands.

Armstrong's style for the most part plays into Napoles hands, although the sheer volume and workrate causes problems.

[Robbi]

Napoles wide UD - better movement, more skill, better puncher, better speed, better defense, movement, reach, power etc etc.

Armstrong was better inside and was good defensively in there as well. And without question Armstrong punched to the body much better. I will concede that Napoles carried more finesse in everything he done across the board. Speed, jab, combinations, and variation at long range.

[laxpdx]

If it's below 147, I think Hank takes this. I believe he would do to Jose what Duran did to Ray in Montreal. Apply unrelenting pressure, and force Mantequilla to trade with him. Given butter-man's tendency to cut, he would be looking bloodier than Hank, who would win by MD.

[heehoo]

Mantequilla by decision at 140. Any smaller, and Armstrong wins.

[PowerPuncher]

Armstrong was better inside and was good defensively in there as well. And without question Armstrong punched to the body much better. I will concede that Napoles carried more finesse in everything he done across the board. Speed, jab, combinations, and variation at long range.

Bodypunching yes your right, defense is a bigger advantage for Napoles, Armstrong is ofcourse better in close quarters too

[salsanchezfan]

............Napoles had a great right uppercut that he'd throw off the hook or jab (he seemed to rarely throw a standard straight right). That uppercut would play heavily here.

I see this as an ugly fight, and not as full of extended exchanges as one might think, as Napoles liked to work from a little bit of a distance. Not long range by any means, but there was a zone just barely within punching range where he seemed real comfortable. Amstrong would try to take that away, but I think in a clinch-filled wrestling match, Napoles just edges him.

[red cobra]

Who, and why?
Fans who missed the 70's may criticise me for this, but I believe that Napoles was the creme of the crop of welters, and a master fighter all around, a uniquely gifted fighter...he would be too much for even the great Armstrong, and would deck and punish Henry en route to a decision or even a late rounds tko. Mantequilla was the best at welterweight, with his only possible flaw being his tendency to cut and swell around the eyes.

[PowerPuncher]

Mantequilla by decision at 140. Any smaller, and Armstrong wins.

You're assuming Napoles wasnt as good at lighter weights