John Conteh vs Ezzard Charles

At 175lbs?

 

There are very ,very few 175pounders I would pick against Charles,Tunney, perhaps Greb & Langford.That's about it

 

He isn't in Charles league and puts up a decent fight for maybe 5 rounds and then gets crushed.

 

I agree that Conteh is short of Charles' class,but the fact that a prime Conteh went 15rds in a tough fight with Saad Muhammad leads me to believe that he probably does better than just lasting 5 rds with Charles.

 

Yeah, lesser fighters than Conteh did a lot better against Ezz than lasting 5 rounds. I think he'd ultimately put up a strong fight and win his share of rounds but be half a step behind most of the way and lose clearly on points without being outclassed. Maybe a late stoppage against the pre-Baroudi Charles. He isn't at a stylistic disadvantage, sharing a few traits with Harold Johnson imo, but would probably get hit a bit too much. Ezz was the greatest light-heavy ever, I'd make him favourite against any other in history. Such a complete and sophisticated boxer and offensive technician.

 

I only agree with that if your dad does.

 

I'd say Conteh was already shot by the time of the Saad fight. the Burnett fight showed that he was struggling due to his out of the ring shenanigans and inactivity. Prime Conteh was better than that round the time of the Finnegan, Ahumada fights and during his own reign. It's struck me before that John never beat a world champ though he did beat a faded Vicente Rondon. I'd still go for Charles but I don't think Conteh would be out of his class.

 

It's a point of view to which a valued poster like yourself is entirely entitled to express.

 

As you are very aware Box Rec never tells the whole story.Thank you for adding your info ,I know you know of what you speak!