Legendary champion Jose Angel Napoles has died

Former world boxing champion Jose Angel Napoles has passed away

Cuban boxing legend Jose Angel Napoles (81-7, 54 KOs) has sadly passed away after battling illnesses for s ome time at the age of 79.

"Mantequilla" was a two-time WBC and WBA world welterweight champion between 1969-75 and also had an incredible amateur record that has been listed as 114-1. He was named The Ring Fighter of the Year for 1969, inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1984 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He was also named as the fourth greatest welterweight of the 20th century by the Associated Press in 1999.

The World Boxing Council released the following tribute to their champion:

It is with  profound sorrow,  that we report that Jose Angel “Mantequilla” Napoles Colombat died today, and with his passing, a golden era of the world welterweight championship closes full circle.

Typical of the man, who was the bravest most courageous of fighters, that although he had been affected by various illnesses for some time, he bravely battled on, attending WBC events, always smiling and being greeted by his many friends and fans, who admired him as a fighter and as a man.  Today that struggle came to an  he came to the end. with his children and grandchildren at his bedside in Mexico City.

“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 they promptly 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 George Parnassus.

During his career, “Mantequilla” defeated the 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 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 great champion.  Look how long he reigned as a champion.  This is such a sad day.”

In his chosen profession, 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 is in deep mourning with the departure of one of the very greatest welterweight champions of all time and one of the most beloved people in this sport. A fierce competitor in the ring, he was a kind gentleman outside of it.

Rest in Peace Dear champion! Thank you for the wonderful everlasting memories.