If John Conteh was around today?

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 01 May 2006, 12:43

If a peak John Conteh was around today how well do you think he would have done against todays top Light-Heavyweights and Super-Middleweights?

John Conteh.
http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=18309

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/haywardlad ... conteh.jpg

tigerpomfret · Post by **tigerpomfret** » 01 May 2006, 13:00

your having a laugh mate,middle weight-lightheavies,conteh would easily beat most of today`s so called Heavyweight champions,and if he was losing,he would put in a pretty good headbutt like he used to,top fighter that boy,i remember ali saying conteh`s prettier than me.

RobD · Post by **RobD** » 01 May 2006, 13:59

I saw today where John will be at the Boxing hall of fame this June.

Arbachakov · Post by **Arbachakov** » 01 May 2006, 15:39

No doubt he would be coked up and throwing his career away, just as he did back in the seventies.

He'd still easily beat Tarver and Glen Johnson, though.

KO Artist · Post by **KO Artist** » 01 May 2006, 15:58

Its like asking where Ingrid Bergman would be in a beauty contest with Kathy Burke.

Conteh was as smooth as silk. Tarver and co are not in his league

Owain · Post by **Owain** » 01 May 2006, 19:56

In the modern era, for my money anyway, Conteh (along with Buchanan) was one of the best boxers this country has produced. Great skills, heart and a tough bugger too. Always enjoyed watching him fight. Particulalry remember that when he had someone going he would actually grit his teeth when going after them. Mean, tough and skilful.

He's beat any of todays light-heavy's, cruisrs and super-middles.

Woller · Post by **Woller** » 02 May 2006, 04:12

John Conteh was a great boxer in his day, but his record needs cleaning up.
Jorge Ahumada was not a SD15, referee (I belive it was harry Gibbs) was sole judge.
Yaqui Lopez was not SD15, Conteh won UD by a mile. (I have the Video)
Mate Parlov was SD15 not UD15. The referee gave it to Conteh.

Woller

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 02 May 2006, 07:37

mercman wrote:IHowever I would see Conteh more as a light-heavy/cruiser rather than a super-middle/ light-heavy. I think he actually started his pro career as a 'small heavyweight' before fighting at light-heavy and after he retired there were rumours of him making a comeback at cruiserweight.

I agree, I only mentioned Super-Middleweight because I assume that some of the top 168lbers of today if they had been fighting in Contehs erathey would have fought at Light-heavyweight.

And yes as far as I am awere he did start his career as a 'small' Heavyweight.

silkov · Post by **silkov** » 02 May 2006, 07:44

Conteh was head and shoulders abover most of the fighters around today... Tarver wouldnt live with him and I'd pick him over Jones at 175 too... its a shame he went off the rails like he did but respect to him for getting his life back together since then.... he's a great character... his autobiography is a great read...

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 02 May 2006, 08:48

mercman wrote:
he's a great character ... his autobiography is a great read...
I read it a few years ago. Its called I Conteh and, yes, I agree it is a really good read. I recommend it. I've got great memories of Conteh. Although I was only a youngster at the time I remember him winning the title against Parlov and the whole occassion seemed really exciting. Conteh wasn't just a top fighter, the guy had charisma.

I'm afraid he lost to Parlov, when he was already past his best and one-handed. Conteh's star was short-lived, but he was a nasty piece of work who you fought only if you had to.

KO Artist · Post by **KO Artist** » 02 May 2006, 17:07

Decagon wrote:I wouldn't be surprised if Conteh could make 168 or even 160 in today's boxing. Before day-before weigh-ins, fighters would spend most of their training camp weighing no more than five or so pounds above the limit. A lot of fighters today train at 20 pounds over the limit, and dehydrate down in the last week or two before training. If James Toney could make 160, John Conteh probably could.

There are rules against weight cutting. The WBC mandates that all fighters report to their doctor a week before the fight and weigh no more than five pounds over the weight limit. Of course, if that same doctor is later caught with his foot under the scale, what's his word worth?

No way conteh makes 160 or 168.

He was as fit as a greyhound at 175 and had trouble making that.

He fought over 190 early in his career.