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Cuba-born Napoles forged a Hall of Fame career,
with a record of 81-7, including 54 knockouts.
He was granted Mexican citizenship in 1969 after beating Texan
Curtis Cokes in a world title fight.
Napoles' final bout was a losing one in front of 40,000 fans
against Briton John H Stracey, who paid tribute to his former
rival on Friday.
"I'm so very proud to have shared a ring with the great Jose
Napoles," Stracey said.
"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."
(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; editing by
Amlan Chakraborty)
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