I like Conteh in this match, but it would of course have to be the near Prime Conteh, Two Handed, the beautiful boxer.. poised to strike with Venom...even then it would not be easy, But Joe's two victories over the negative pace dampner Hopkins, and the boxing from memory Jones would not i feel prepare Joe for one of the Better (and we never saw the full potential realised) 70's post foster "golden Age" Lt Heavy's... Johns Jab, Cobraésque Head movement, and Mobility should keep Joe pegged in a Nip-an-tuck situation, John does not give Joe a set Target, unlike Kessler he does not march in without angles, and it was a feature of Johns M.O. that he would Explode at some stage..with what one paper called "Jungle Cat Ferocity" in describing the Finnegan II stoppage, after Finnegan was boxing very well for the first five rounds, with John biding his time to Strike, Tom Bogs, Rudi Schmidke Vicente Rondon, Lonnie Bennett, Leo Rogers were some others who suffered from the Conteh Sudden switch to Attack Mode,..... I would give Joe the benefit of the doubt and say his Chin and Mobility may help him survive...but John did get a bit Vicious (Careless with Head !) when he cut loose...so Joe could certainly be floored..and indeed cut up, not altogether in a thoroughly sporting manner. Joe would probably do well against the "Boxer Types" Stinger Hutchins, Mike Quarry, Dupree, Fourie perhaps, But those heavy handed "Predator" types... The Saad's, Johnson, Spinks, Gregory- Muhammed ...And of course Conteh i have my doubts....Conteh on points over 12....Over 15 Joe may make the final bell...Joe Coming up from Super Middle would be meeting a guy who started out as a smallish Heavyweight..Conteh would Notice this little Factor in his Favour if it became a test of Strength...
I like Calzaghe but a prime Conteh for me would be far too much for him. Conteh had it all,skills,ring smarts,he could box,fight,packed a punch as well as being a right tough so and so. I still get frustrated by Conteh's demise due to out of the ring problems,he is rightly highly regarded but to me he could have been one of the best.
The Conteh who beat Jorge Ahumada for the title would whip Calzaghe by points or late stoppage. Joe was just a bit over the hill at 175 lbs. John's power would be the main factor here. Both skilled boxers.
the prospect of facing conteh would result in another miraculous hand injury for joe. no way he faces him, but as with against any atg opponent, joe gets his first ko loss.
