John Conteh 1976 vs Thomas Hearns at 175 lbs. 15 Rounds.

Hearns was good at any weight, and of course the fact that Hearns turned light heavy later in life shouldn't necessarily throw us off and automatically say that Conteh was a much better light heavy. However, I don't think either that Hearns could have become a light heavy any earlier than he did. If we are talking about the real light heavy version of Hearns rather than a fictional glorified version, I favor Conteh, but only slightly since Hearns was competitive at every division he competed in.

 

Conteh fairly easily IMO

 

Conteh KO 7.

 

I'd pick Hearns.

 

Well that night vs Lopez Conteh was a one handed fighter so this would be fairly close I actually think it could go either way on points.
A fully fit and prime Conteh though stops Hearns.

 

Conteh. Hes not a better fighter than Hearns but he has him at this weight class

 

I like Hearns here as well.

Conteh is clearly the greater light heavy but Hearns is the greater fighter who could still mix it up at light heavy - the 87 version of Hearns still had enough in all departments to win this, I reckon.

 

Conteh of course the natural light heavy, should favor him.. But it's The Hit Man!
I'll say split in favor of Hearns but very, very close.

 

I'd pick Conteh here. For his time, he was a decent sized LightHeavy. I'll say Conteh by stoppage in rounds 9-10.

 

Conteh late stoppage.

 

Provided John's right hand is injury free I take him to stop The Hitman late on. Otherwise John gets outpointed.

 

Tommy lost to Iran Barkley at 175, but hes going to beat a close to prime John Conteh? Nope

 

Good matchup. Despite Tommy's talent, I think John was talented in his own right, and, after some early intense moments, stops Tommy in th e 11th round.

 

Hard to pick. Might be like the Virgil Hill fight. I thought it was pretty close too.