Can someone talk me through who Conteh beat to be so revered? Not saying he wasn’t a good fighter and the 70s isn’t my era admittedly but I struggle to see an ATG resume...
Chris Finnegan twice. Lenny Hutchings. Have a look at Conteh on You Tube. In the 70's, John was a revelation. He was nasty and tough as well as a superb Boxer. We used to say he fights like an American.
I hate to do the boxrec thing but Chris Finnegan only ever won a british and commonwealth title (I appreciate they meant more then) and Hutchings was never a world champion. I’m not trying to be a hater, just out a bit of perspective in place and am more than happy to be corrected. Have watched Conteh in the past but will have another look. But if you watched Saunders against Lemieux you’d think he was the greatest of all time...
Finnegan was also an ex Olympic champion.He gave an ATG champion like Bob Foster all the trouble he could handle before being stopped in the 14th round. He was an extremely tough fighter. Conteh beat Jacqui Lopez one of the top contenders of the era one handed in Copenhagen, as he had huge problems with his right hand the 2nd half of his career. The first fight against Matthew Saad Muhammad he was basically robbed. Muhammad was cut to pieces and they used an illegal substance to stem the flow, they basically cemented the cuts. That really was his last stand, well past prime he fought a great fight against a formidable champion, got decked twice late on and lost the decision, I thought he won. We always assume in these imaginary match ups that fighters are prime for prime, but sorry as much as I liked Joe he's not beating a prime Conteh.
Noticed the Conteh fights aren’t shown on Saad Muhammad’s record, anyone know why? How about the Parlov fight? And Jesse Burnett? He seemed to peak very young.
Finnegan, Hitchings and indeed, Yaqui Lopez were genuine contenders at the time. If you have 40 minutes have a look at Finnegan's challenge to Bob Foster, Ring Fight of the Year 1972. Take your point about Saunders and relative performances Ryan. I'm not trying to make a nailed down case for Conteh against Calzaghe, for whom, as I say, I have the utmost respect. Just trying to give some perspective.
Never noticed that. I don't know about peaking young or simply that his partying lifestyle and bad choices took over.
See Cecil's previous post. Conteh broke his right hand twice in one year and was very reticent to use it freely after that. The Parlov fight was a scandalous robbery.
Ha ha ! Was that when he decided to drive home from Tramp ? John's been dry now for about 20 years and does a superb after dinner routine.
