One year since  the death of “Mantequilla” Napoles

August 16th was one year since the death of José Ángel “Mantequilla” Napoles Colombat, who was a great champion.

“Mantequilla” was born on April 13, 1940 in Santiago de Cuba, but as a young man he traveled to Mexico, and was soon  thrilling fans with his lion hearted power and steadfast courage, so much so that Mexico promptly and adoringly adopted him as one of their very own.

The then President  of Mexico, Gustavo Díaz Ordaz, granted him Mexican nationality, exactly one day after he was crowned world welterweight champion, by defeating Texan Curtis Cokes on points, on April 18, 1969, at the Inglewood Forum, in a promotion by the legendary George Parnassus.

During his career, “Mantequilla” defeated the very best fighters of his era, including  Curtis Cokes, Emile Griffith, Ernie Lopez and Alfredo Urbina.

On December 6, 1975, in a titanic fight, he lost the world crown against Briton John H Stracey. During his career he hammered, dented and shaped a tremendously  impressive record of 81 wins with 54 knockouts and just 7 losses. Jose Napolis is forever revered as one of the Fifty Plus KO Elite.

John H Stracey said: “I`m so very proud to have shared a ring with the Great Jose Napolis.  What a magnificent fighter he was and what a truly great champion.  Look how long he reigned as a champion.  This is such a sad day.”

In his chosen professionalism, he was directed and guided by Cubans Cuco Conde and Kid Rapidez, manager and coach respectively.

José Angel was a close friend of Don José Sulaiman and Mauricio Sulaiman, Presidents of the WBC, who were always took care of him and his health.

The Telmex-Telcel Ring Program, under the leadership of Don Carlos Slim, granted him a lifetime pension and the services of the Mexican Social Security Institute.

The World Boxing Council fondly remembers one of our greatest welterweights of all time and one of the most beloved  in the sport.