There is no specific reason for this second publication of the original article written five years ago and published on the WBA website, the oldest of the boxing governing bodies.
The reason behind this re-release is that during a recent gathering among friends, someone suggested that we write “something about ‘Mantequilla’, one of the best Latin American boxers in history, we would say among the 5 best in our region,” was the comment. So, the article is here again, this time expanded with new details:
Jose Angel Napoles, a Cuban-Mexican fighter and boxing legend known as “Mantequilla,” passed away in extreme poverty, afflicted with various ailments such as diabetes, senile dementia, and malnutrition on August 16, 2019. He lost his final fight in Mexico City due to a heart attack at the age of 79.
Napoles was a former World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council welterweight champion, considered one of the greatest champions in the history of boxing. The Ring magazine ranked him 32nd among the 100 best fighters in the sport in 2007.
BORN IN CUBA, ADOPTED BY MEXICO FOR FAME
Jose Angel Napoles was born in Santiago de Cuba on April 13, 1940 and became a Mexican citizen after leaving his country in the early 1960s due to a ban on professionalism by Fidel Castro’s government. He never returned to his native land and established himself as a promising boxer in Mexico. His nickname “Mantequilla” came from his agile and elusive fighting style in the ring.
He made his debut in Cuba, then moved to Mexico where he quickly rose to fame with several victories. His most memorable fight was against Carlos Monzon in Paris, a legendary bout that ended in defeat for Napoles but remains a significant moment in his career.
After retirement, Napoles struggled with poverty and health issues, eventually passing away in 2019. Despite his hardships, he left a lasting legacy in the world of boxing.
