Maple Leaf Gardens – World Welterweight Championship – Jose Napoles vs. Clyde Gray
If Muhammad Ali defeating George Chuvalo in 1966 was Toronto’s most famous prize fight, José Nápoles defending his welterweight title against Clyde Gray in 1973 might be the highest-stakes matchup ever fought in the city. Nápoles, a Cuban based in Mexico, and Gray, a Toronto-based Nova Scotian, were both top-tier welterweights near their primes. Ali attended as a spectator and received a standing ovation from the audience. Nápoles and Gray delivered a thrilling match between master boxers, and Nápoles knocked Gray down once before winning.
A photograph of Clyde Gray and Jose Napoles facing off, published by the Toronto Star on September 23, 1973. The caption reads: “Ready, get set . . . Toronto’s Clyde Gray has his left hand ready to throw punch at world welterweight champion Jose Napoles, left, during their title fight at Maple Leaf Gardens Saturday night. Champion won a unanimous decision, but Gray made it exciting with flurries in the middle round and the final one. Toronto boxer earned only $20,000 for the bout, but says his days of $3,000 fights are over.” Image by Fred Ross and sourced from the Toronto Public Library.
1973
World Welterweight Championship at Maple Leaf Gardens
