He failed to against Charles when they actually fought (although it was his last fight). Still, prime or not, he ain't beating Charles.
Was it Lesnevitch or Valentino who gave Charles all he could handle? I forget which one, but I think one of them was up on points midway though the fight until Charles slugging turned the tide. I saw the fight a while back. It was a good scrap.
He beat Valentino pretty handily and I know he stopped Gus.....I dont remember trouble from them but I could be wrong
I think it was Valentino. There are reports of the fight claiming it was an entertaining one, and that Valentino forced a chaotic pace early, but Charles' pinpoint counters began to show effect by the middle rounds and he was turning the fight around but still down a few points on the cards when he knocked Valentino out for the 10 count. I haven't seen the fight, but it is probably the one you saw. I don't know much about his fight with Gus, but Lesnevich's corner stopped the fight after the 7th round.
Lesnevich took a horrible one sided pounding. Valentino was knocked out by the most picture perfect right cross u have ever seen
If the choice is only between those two, it has to be Valentino. Valentino was giving him a fairly even fight, until Charles landed a picture perfect combination out of the blue that flattened him. I wouldn't exactly say it was one of Charles' toughest fights ever, but it was a decent fight. I've never seen the Lesnevich fight, but all accounts agree that Charles dominated him.
As for Gus against Bob Murphy... Hmmmm, tough to call. I think Gus' counterpunching and technical skill allows him to eek out a close decision, the way Harry Matthews did against Irish Bob.
Gus couldn't do it when they met so I doubt he doing it at there primes. Against Bob Murphy I think Lesnevitch can outbox him although he would have to be aware of Bob's power.
