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

I would no longer pick Hearns.

 

When i saw your old post an hour ago i thought...........i bet he's got a different opinion at this point.

 

Hi Buddy.
Thanks for the above, I too believe Conteh would prevail in a tough fight, your certainly right about his mean streak, I have seen him spar many times, as I have also seen the crop of top British fighters, Magri, Stracey, Finnegan, and the best of overseas, Napoles, Palomino, Foster, and Conteh stands alone as the most vicious, and one of the most impressive, jabs, hooks, right crosses, all land with unerring accuracy, and with venom, many is the time Francis had to get in the ring and stop the session, the command " stop " feel on deaf ears when John was enjoying himself, I rarely saw the same partner twice, bloody noses, welts and embryo bruises were commonplace, and I don't recall Conteh ever saying sorry, they were the hired help, and had to take their beatings, and he looked pretty ripped when he took off the sweat suit, I thought he would reign for a long time, but the broken hand, long lay offs, and his brothers influence would bring an early downfall, but in his pomp his was a site to behold.
stay safe Fred, chat soon.
Mike.

 

If Conteh is indeed a one-armed bandit by this time with his damaged right hand … that version of John is not dissimilar to the Virgil Hill whom Thomas outpointed.

There’s an earlier version of Conteh who wasn’t as smooth an operator with in-and-out, side-to-side movement with a sweet jab and hook but more rugged and winging right hands. Perhaps that version of Conteh could turn this from a boxing match into a fight, in which case he has a chance.

But Conteh of 1976 is more of a pure boxer … and NOBODY ever out-boxed Thomas Hearns. (And yes, at light heavy Hearns still has enough Hitman power to keep anyone honest.)

Motor City Cobra by decision for me.

 

Hi Mike,
What I wouldn´t give to have seen all those greats in action. I remember reading Conteh´s biography in the mid-eighties. You could feel the animosity he had towards his management and family as well as knowing he threw away a chance to be so much more. Injuries only made it worst. Seems such a nice bloke out of the right, true professional in it. Bob Foster was lucky that his last defence wasn´t against him, he would have been beaten up and stopped. I recently read someone describe John as the George Best of boxing! I also remember he he knocked out one of his waiters at his restaurant. Real character and for me the greatest British light-heavy of all time

All the best,
Fred

 

Hi Fred.
Thanks for the nice reply, yes he was undoubtedly the best LHW we produced, with Mills, Harvey, McaVoy, trailing in his wake, would be keen to know where he ranks on the greatest Brit's of all time, and the posters whose opinions I value very, very, highly, Gregg and Noel, would be the posters that would clinch it for me, maybe they would be so kind.
Always read your posts, and you never disssapoint.
stay safe buddy, chat soon.
Mike.

 

Will get back to you on that Mike

 

Hi Mike,
I agree Conteh is our greatest ever LHW.
I can't say I recall compiling a British p4p all time top 10. I think if I did, I'd have Fitzsimmons, Wilde, TKL, Lewis, Driscoll, Welsh, Calzaghe, Lynch and JKB ahead of him.
So, that would leave him in contention with the likes of Moran, Naz, Buchanan, Hatton and Froch for the final spot in my top 10. All off the top of my head, I may have forgotten someone.

 

Cant argue with this Greg
Hi Mike
Think Greg has summed up my feelings perfectly

 

Hi Noel.
Unsurprisingly he has for me ! pretty sure yours would have followed similar lines.
Thanks buddy.
Mike.