John Conteh vs Antonio Tarver. What If?

[KOJOE90]

Who do you think would have won if John Conteh and Antonio Tarver could have met in their primes?

[Rory McCloskey]

wow good question. after seeing tarver ko roy jones and beat up on glen johnson, i would have to say that i would see him doing the same to john conteh. conteh was a good fighter, but i think tarver is too quik n just too good, and would handly defeat conteh

[Steve M]

Conteh would dismantle Tarver.Too smooth and complete for Antonio.

Jones would have beaten him easily as well, had he been in his prime.

[tiredoldngrey]

Conteh and I don't think it would have been especially close. That is if memory serves: I saw Conteh a couple or three times and I remember him as a tough rugged guy, very sound defensively with good boxing skills and he was a very crisp very precise puncher... went to war with Sad Muhammad too, and held his own- was he winning?- until the 2 kds in the 14th

[silkov]

To be honest I've always thought that both Tarver and Johnson are quite average really and both just exposed Jones as being rather overrated too. I don't think either of them would fare as well in the 70s era when the talent of the division was truly awesome!. Conteh was arguably the most talented of the lot and at his peak I think he'd have dismantled both Tarver and Johnson... he was too quick, too strong and too smart imo.

[kovit]

What about Tarver against Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Glen Johnson vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi.

[silkov]

What about Tarver against Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Glen Johnson vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi.

Quawi would have beaten them both imo Kovit.... 8)

[silkov]

What about Conteh v Qawi then?

Good fight that would be, nice mix of styles, I think I'd go for Conteh again.... he had the speed and boxing skills to outbox Quawi and also before his busted his hand he had the power to keep Quawis respect also. It would definately be a tough fight for Conteh but I see him winning on points.

[KOJOE90]

What about Tarver against Dwight Muhammad Qawi and Glen Johnson vs. Dwight Muhammad Qawi.

I would edge toward Qawi beating both on points.

[ELA]

Conteh!!!!

Conteh was too complete.

[silkov]

Conteh!!!!

Conteh was too complete.

Yeah Conteh was one of the most complete boxers I've seen... he gave Saad a great fight when he was basically just a one-handed fighter by that point.

[KOJOE90]

Conteh's as a 'great' British fighter?

Good question and one that requires some thought.

But my initial thinking is that in terms of ability and talent he is up there with the very best of the UK's fighters.

In terms of achievements he drops a few places due to his short championship reign and inactivity etc.

[silkov]

I find the fact that most people commenting on this topic rate Conteh so highly very interesting. When I see and hear discussions about great British boxers he rarely gets a mention. Quite rightly people talk about the likes of Ken Buchanon, Kid Lewis, Kid Berg and Lennox Lewis but J.C seems to be overlooked. I've always rated Conteh very highly and see him as a bit of an unsung hero. Do you guys see Conteh's as a 'great' British fighter?

I think he was definately a great 'British boxer'.... talent wise he was probably our best boxer since WW2 I think only Lloyd Honeyghan is close to him in that respect but Honeyghan did more with his talent overall... though ironically his career was also affected by bad hands like Conteh.

[Roco]

Conteh would be way too good for Tarver

[King Carlos]

Conteh was in a different league in his prime. I'd have taken him over Jones at Lt. Heavy, too.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Tarver by close decision.

[tommo100]

if conteh had kept off the booze and kept his d**k in his pants then he could`ve been a ring legend according some boxing enthusiasts iv`e met??

[Bricks]

CONTEH!!!!!!

[BoxBuzz]

Tarver was the greatest "boutique" fighter in history. Laser focus for one mission lol.

[Ezzard]

Conteh did have a litle of everything. He was skillful, mean and intelligent. Gave it his all with Saad in the first fight. Bad hands and playboy lifestyle ruined his best years.