http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/blog/?p=23777 Now this is what I'm talking about when we refer to an old school fighter. Yaqui is the definition.
Robert, did you see the 7th round of the Conteh fight? I had to look it up again when I read what Yaqui was saying about the ref interfering. He actually did land 2 left hooks on Conteh (the first one being the best) and then the ref stops the fight at that point to warn Conteh about something. Bob Foster was color commentating and he really voiced his displeasure at the ref interfering at that point. But to tell you the truth, although I think they were good shots, I don't think it was anything Conteh couldn't have come back from. Your thoughts (or anyone elses).
Yaqui was a hell of a warrior, no questions asked but not always the classiest guy .. while being interview at the Garden after beating Rossman he repeated over and over he wanted to shut the mouth of the loud mouth Jew boy to stunned announcers .. very awkward moment ..
Yes i did go back and watch it also. I agree with you. Its really a pleasure to watch both guys. Lopez your blue collar Briscoe type who holds down a full time job and Conteh who was just text book perfect at times.
I have a high regard for Lopez, it would have been nice if he had managed to win the title. He was unfortunate to be around in one of the deepest eras for quality the division ever saw.
He was harder than I thought he would be. I felt I dictated the whole fight. He hurt me once, in the 6th round I think it was, but I was pleased that my right hand held up well. I hardly threw it but when I did it stood up." -John Conteh "He was a good fighter. He won all right, but I think I lost the fight in the last five rounds." -Yaqui Lopez . Conteh had been out of the ring for 15 months.
McVey, thanks for those quotes. So even Conteh admitted to being hurt in the round (I'm sure he meant the 7th round). I would still say Conteh probably could have weathered that storm, but it does bring up the point of 'what if'. And by the sounds of it, Yaqui had more referee interference in a number of fights ala Ali-Frazier II at the end of the 2nd round. I was an Ali man but with the time remaining I don't see him putting Frazier away. But that's the kind of thing that brings up a 'what if'.
