Victor Galindez vs John Conteh

Prime Galindez was too strong, too clever and waay too hurtful for Conteh, IMO. Counter left hooks...to the head and to the body would be JC's downfall. Conteh would have his moments exploiting the tender skin around Victor's eyes, but that would bring a fury from the Argie...a quick counter like the one that dumped Eddie Mustafa right after Eddie hurt Victor with a body shot...if that could happen with a '77 Galindez, then a '75, '76 version of VG would be even more forthcoming, IMO. John had fragile hands, and wasn't anything near as prolific as Galindez, who in the importance of this fight would be extra fierce with nationalistic pride...like he was vs Rossman in their rematch, only must greater. I think a close decision for Galindez would result, enhanced by a kd or two for good measure. Galindez, despite that "back to the ropes" counterpunching style, was never far away from being the animal that he was.

 

VICTOR died 39 years ago today October 25, 1980. Watch the magnificent fight vs Richie Kates where Victor, unbowed, raises the human spirit with a knockout with 1 second left. I think of Galindez often in my life during trying times. NEVER. EVER. GIVE UP. Rest In Peace Campeon VICTOR EMELIO GALINDEZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Conteh by decision.

 

Great Champion. Great Post.

 

I've started this thread a few times; I'm just getting tired of posting on it. Red Cobra, and many others, echo my comments. My late friend and I argued for over a year wanting an early summer 75 unification fight. He the Conteh lover, me the Galindez lover.
As I've said, many posters can only see the 'shell' of these guys after Victor's protracted defenses and John's right hand problems.
Early summer 75 would have been a masterpiece of pugilism!

 

It did not happen due to politics with the WBA and WBC. Also at this time frame, John Conteh had a lot of hand issues, which prevented him from defending his belt more often. He won the WBC title by defeating Jorge Ahumada, via 15 round unanimous verdict in London, on Oct 1 1974, defended it against Lonnie Bennett, TKO 5, on March 11 1975. Then he defeated Willie Taylor, on points, in a non title affair, on Aug 15 1975, he suffered a broken hand. He defeated Alvaro Yaqui Lopez, on Oct 9 1976, by unanimous decision, in 15 rounds, in Denmark. He then finally defended his title against Len Hutchins, on March 5 1977, in Liverpool, England, TKO 3. Ar this point, it was rumored if he won his mandatory defense against Miguel Angel Cuello, on May 21 1977,in Monte Carlo, Monaco, he then would have to sign to fight World Middleweight Champion Carlos Monzon, if Carlos defeated Rodrigo Valdes, in their July 30 1977 rematch in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Conteh refused to fight Miguel, John made a sign that read, No Monte, Says Conteh. Miguel won the belt defeating Jesse Burnett, TKO 9. Victor very impressive since winning his WBA Light Heavyweight title, by stopping Len Hutchins in 12 rounds, on Dec 7 1974. He defended his belt against the likes of Jorge Ahumada, Pierre Fourie, twice, Richie Kates, twice, Alvaro Yaqui Lopez, twice, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, and Harold Skog, before his defeat to Mike Rossman, on Sept 15 1978, TKO 13, in New Orleans. Conteh with brittle bones in his hands, Victor with scar tissue above the eyes. Both fight cautiously early on, Galindez attempting to counter off the ropes, John firing his pawing left jab, throwing combinations. John hits the deck in round 5 as the result of a Galindez counter right hand. Victor cut and bleeding fearing a stoppage by the referee, catches John again, this time flooring him for the full count in round 12, to win both belts, vacated by Bob Foster's retirement, in 1974, following his draw against Jorge Ahumada.

 

Galindez every day and Sunday. To rough tough and smart for Conteh. TKO in 11. Competitive early but one sided mid to late.

 

Hoooooo raaaaaaah! Excellent

 

Thanks.

 

Brilliant discussion and dissection of an interesting matchup that coulda, woulda, shoulda happened, fellas.

What’s to add?

I like Galindez in this one but it would have been edge-of-your-seat stuff in watching it unfold with the contrasting game plans. I think his body work lays the foundation for a late stoppage. Victor was just too sturdy and had too much resolve to let Conteh take it, but he’d have to walk through a bit of hell to do it.

 

Galindez by decision. Too rugged. Conteh's best chance would be if Galindez got a bad cut.

 

If Conteh is injury free and applies his controlled aggression and superior boxing skills against Galindez' savage rushes,he wins a competitive albeit clear decision.

Would've been a good one.

 

Fascinating match up. Conteh the very gifted underachiever who threatened greatness around 1974-75 before falling away, Galindez the opposite - the less naturally talented guy who looked bang average for the first few years of his career before finding a way to effectively harness his fewer gifts in to a very impressive style which offset some of his limitations.

Galindez's tendency to cut could spell trouble for him here. Conteh had the knack of always seeming to cut his opponents when he was at his best, and he thought nothing of using underhand tactics to worsen them if he got the chance. He had a real nasty, spiteful streak in that regard...But then again, Galindez was one seriously tough and nasty piece of work himself. Both guys are used to being the more robust, nastier guy in the ring, so it'd be interesting to see who came out on top of those kind of exchanges.

Conteh could be countered with rights over his jab as he had a tendency to fall away with it and drop his left straight down after throwing it, and boy did Galindez know how to throw hurtful counters (albeit more so with the left). Galindez is also the more proven and consistent fighter in terms of durability and stamina over the full, hard 15 rounds (not that a peak Conteh had issues in that respect, of course, just that Galindez was as proven as they come in that area and paced himself brilliantly). Galindez just about scraped past Eddie, who like Conteh was a brilliant pure boxer...But it was a damn close run thing, and on top of having a great jab, his own considerable power and fluid movement, Conteh at his best also had great footwork, probably better than Eddie's.

Galindez obviously had the better career and got more out of himself in the long run to prolong his peak...But I think Conteh's peak, while much shorter, was a shade more impressive in the sense that Conteh at his very best was the better fighter than Galindez at his very best - just. Around 1975 I'd take Conteh to win a decision in a very bloody, hard-fought battle, with Galindez closing the gap and coming on strong near the end. Any time after that, Galindez stops him late. But peak for peak, I'm edging very narrowly towards Conteh. Shame it never happened, could have been a classic.

 

Galindez had the heart of a lion...and fought like a wounded animal when the chips were down. His fighting heart would have prevailed and resulted in a big win over Conteh, who had his hands full with Ahumada you might recall. Galindez was a whole level above Ahumada...a decision for Victor, like I said earlier,...or more likely, a late round stoppage for VG, who would have fought like a hungry lion for his countrymen in a bout with so much prestige at stake.