Conteh was one of the greatest one-handed fighters of all time. Basically all left hand but he could do marvelous things with it. In fact, in many ways he was Virgil Hill before Virgil Hill. Galindez was indeed a fascinating fighter -- or should I say brawler. Fought in spurts a lot and that's why he was involved in so many close decisions. Marvin Johnson's KO of him was one of the classic one-punch KOs of all time, IMHO. Rossman fought a brilliant fight to beat him with a great game plan, working on Galindez's scar tissue to bust him up. Second time around Galindez chewed him up and spit him out -- Rossman was a one-hit wonder, but would have at least been a top 10 contender today.
Qawi once stayed at Rahway too.It was like a homecoming for him and he wasn`t intimidated by the place like the others. Some said that Scott was doped up.PCP or something!! I dont know,I mean he had lots of time to work on his conditioning hadn`t he.
The talent level was so deep in the LH division then, in fact, that there was an another set of lightheavies who were crowding the edges of the top 10. All very tough and talented guys, too. I'm talking about Lotte Mwale, Vonzell Johnson, Jesse Burnett, Richie Kates, Jerry Celestine, Mustafa Wassaja, and Miguel Cuello. The LH division in the late '70s was fascinating.
Don't forget Pierre Fourie. I'm thinking of doing a thread on him. He doesn't seem to be very well known at all.
Please do -- I can't forget someone I don't think I've ever heard of. As for the 1970s, let's not forget that Bob Foster was champ in the early part of the decade. Richie Kates and Len Hutchins are two more guys who were prominent. But the latter 1970s was arguably the deepest division at one time in history.
Which one's Easily?? The lightheavyweight version of Jones wasn't nearly as fleetfooted & would struggle through with any of these fighters. His best chances were with Rossman & Lopez. Then it is very tough.
Scott wouldn't have been able to deal with Jones' speed, and Johnson would only have a puncher's chance. Along with the two you mentioned, atlhough Lopez would have been competitive with anyone.
Well, I'll qualify that one... the version of Galindez that Mustafa fought the first time... I think the Mustafa that beat Johnson for the title would take a decision from THAT version of Galindez. Victor wasn't at his very best for the first Mustafa fight either. That's a tough one, as I have great respect for and was a huge fan of both guys.
Jones would have trouble with Scott's strength. Scott could come on in the late rounds. Johnson: I like a puncher's chance against a "Glass Chin"
He did, and their fight at Rahway was a sort of homecoming for Qawi. Incidentally, the Gregory that fought Scott wasn't that far removed from the one that decimated Johnson to win the title, so it's a nice victory for Scott (and for Spinks, who I think beats any version of EMM anyway.) Scott apparently was released from prison a couple of years ago, although I can't say for certain. Even though he clearly wasn't the nicest guy in the world, he was one of the most articulate boxers I've ever heard interviewed, so perhaps he used his innate intelligence to avoid any further recidivist after he got out.
I remember that interview he gave in 79 for Ring magazine when he sized up the two champions and the top contenders. I think he may have underestimated the competition
I remember that story...it was the summer of 1979. Scott had total contempt for all other lightheavyweights in that interview. He just mocked the hell out of them.
Pierre Fourie was a mid-70s guy, though. By 1977, Fourie was retired. This thread is focused on late-70s lightheavies. Something interesting is Fourie's fight against Mike Quarry, in 1974. Quarry gave Fourie one hell of a fight, even knocking him down and cutting him badly. Fourie pulled out a close decision though.