Conteh was a very good light heavy, Moore was a very great one. there is your answer. Moore ,and probably by ko.
Moore takes a close decision.Conteh had tremendous ability, but Archie would win this in the later rounds, his skill and experience would see him through any storms John would put him through.
Agree with virtually all of this, except on his best night, JC may have gone the distance. A last hurrah Conteh went the distance with Saad, I believe a fit, fully motivated peak JC may well have gone the distance. Saddest thing is, if Conteh had fulfilled his potential, he would have undeniably been a great champion, imo.
Don't think Conteh would have matched up that well with Moore even if he had been the picture of Marciano-esque dedication and gone on to an outright great career. Similar to how Harold Johnson matched up with Archie, and Conteh's tendency towards angry explosiveness wouold be more likely to get him KO'ed by a counter right at some point than rough up Archie, though it might bring success for a time.
Actually, this is very likely true...even if the counter you describe didn't KO JC, it mmay very well keep him "honest" from that point on.
Yes, J C had it within himself to be something really special. Mickey Duff said he had more talent than anyone else he was ever associated with.