Virgil Hill Vs Antonio Tarver ? : Michael Moorer Vs John Conteh ? Winner fights the winner, who's the ultimate top dog?
I have Tarver over Hill and Moorer over Conteh. I like Tarver over Moorer. The irony is that Hill and Conteh are seen as the better light-heavyweights historically but I don't like the matchups for them. Tarver has the versatility, chin and defensive counterpunching style that aligns perfectly with these matchups.
Good point s I think Conteh could maybe pull off a slight upset win myself, over Moorer. But it's a tight one. Hill should defeat Tarver, he's the better quality, but I agree with you about Tarver,he could get the win.
Providing John is fully focused and injury free I would say he beats Moorer. Hill outboxes Tarver. Both bouts go to the cards and John beats Hill in final.
I think Conteh at his best would beat Moorer. Michael was terrific puncher but he was getting outboxed by Leslie Stewart (recently destroyed in 4 by Virgil Hill of all people) and stunned by Frankie Swindell in their 1st fight. Conteh was an excellent amateur and fought southpaws in his pro career too. Would be tough fight but peak Conteh would take a thrilling decision. He would have a good chance with Hill in the final but Virgil was a good fighter (probably a bit underrated because he was a big boring, average challengers, not really his fault, and his loss to Hearns) and he was only really outboxed by the Hitman. Virgil on points.
The reason that I like Tarver over Hill is simply because of Tarver's ability to take the jab away from conventional fighters. He truly excelled at it and the jab was pretty much all of Hills game. That southpaw stance combined with Tarver's ability to parry and counter makes me think he pulls the upset.
Same day weigh in, Conteh. Day before weigh in, Moorer is my guess based on the eye test, without confidence, as he didn’t prove it by beating anything like this quality at LHW.
I want Virgil vs Conteh in the final — two one-armed bandits who bear a real resemblance to each other. Jab artists. Virgil had the better jab but Conteh, even in the one-handed portion of his career, had a bit more of a well-rounded game.
