52 years ago

Date: 14th December 1971

Title: WBA & WBC Welterweight World Titles

Promoter: George Parnassus

Jose Napoles
( 70 - 5 - 0 )
Weight: 145 1/4 lbs

Hedgemon Lewis
( 40 - 3 - 0 )
Weight: 144 3/4 lbs

Jose Napoles defended his WBA & WBC Welterweight World Titles at the Forum against the game Detroit contender Hedgemon Lewis in their 15-round main event.

In his 76th professional bout, Napoles, a Cuban exile living in Mexico retained the titles he first won from Curtis Cokes in April 1969. Having lost and regained the titles from Billy Backus Napoles was making the first defence of his second reign as champion.

Scores: Larry Rozadilla 8-6 George Latka 9-4 John Thomas 8-7 all in favour of the champion.