I think that an in shape Pastrano outpoints Conteh, who I think is a very, very good fighter, by using the same strategy he used against Harold Johnson, and that's to simply refuse to lead, keep moving and scoring with that fast left jab...Conteh would not be used to a guy like Pastrano. John was best against more aggresive type guys who did the leading, like Yaqui Lopez and Jorge Ahumada did. Conteh was very good, and I'm only picking Willie to win if he showed the same form as in his title winning bout against Johnson.
Two of the most skilled LHW stylists I've ever seen. Pastrano was a larger fighter in the Pep/Dupas mold, while Conteh was a smooth boxer-puncher in the Napoles mold. I could see Pastrano getting the better of the bout were he to force Conteh to lead throughout (if perhaps Conteh was limited to boxing with the left as he was at times during his career, such as against Yaqui Lopez), provided Conteh didn't turn up the pressure and get to work on Pastrano in close. Conteh was much better at that than Johnson was. I think Conteh at his best could've taken it, though it would've been an excellent technical affair.
I think if Willie starts to Slip into that Jab and move Grove, and Conteh becomes a Little Frustrated, Then Willie had better watch out, Conteh was very quick into the attack mode, and when Conteh cut loose he threw the kitchen sink in as well, i think he would have knocked Willie off kilter, and perhaps careless headwork would leave Willie and his camp with legitimate complaint ? a frustrated conteh was a dangerous conteh.
Same here. I think he was a bit quicker and slicker, although Conteh was probably the harder hitter. I give Willie a slight edge here.
If Willie had been a bit more dedicated in his training, and fought every bout with the same purity of purpose that he displayed against Harold Johnson, never mind that it was a close, disputed decision, he would have basically covered himself in glory...he was a real purist stylewise, and had a great chin, great legs, and could "tattoo his name and address" on an opponents face...he would have topped Conteh, as good as he was, boxing-wise, and it would have been Conteh's task to catch and impose his will on Pastrano, which was easier said than done when, like I say, he was in top shape. Pastrano influenced Muhammad Ali with his speedy footwork and defensiveness, and he had extremely fast hands and the previously mentioned chin, but he also had an absolute terror of being hit, because that messed up his stuff with the ladies, which was as important, if not more so than his boxing career.
GREAT description of Pastrano's and Conteh's styles Pea..right on the money....what great stock to draw upon, with Pep/Dupas and Napoles.
He and Conteh had at least some common ground then didn't they? The randy old *******s. Interesting bout, I'll get back to you.......
