BoxRec

Il Duce wrote:Mr. Flump,

After John Conteh defended his WBC Championship in a 'tough bout' with #1 WBC Challenger
'Yaqui' Lopez, on October 9, 1976 - Miguel Angel Cuello was moved up to the #1 WBC slot.

The WBC was getting sick and tired of John Conteh's 'constant injury issues', and they put the
pressure on John to face #1 Miguel Cuello, who was promoted by Italian Fight Promoter -
Rodolfo Sabbatini and Managed by Umberto Branchini (who were connected with the WBC).

In December 1976, they gave John (60-Days) to defend his Championship against Miguel Angel Cuello,
in a bout that was set for Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Itaian Fight Promoter - Rodolfo Sabbatini won the 'fight purse bid'.

The bout was set for late February 1977, but Miguel Angle Cuello was 'hurt' in training, and the
Championship Bout was re-scheduled to March 7, 1977 and the venue moved to The Stadium,
Liverpool, United Kingdom, with #5 WBC Challenger - Len Hutchins moved in as the 'replacement'
Challenger.

The 'winner' of the John Conteh - Len Hutchins WBC Championship bout, had to defend the
Title within '60-Days', as per the WBC contract.

March 7, 1977 - John Conteh wins impressively (TKO 3) over Len Hutchins. But, there was
some controversy involving a 'head-butt' in Round 1, where Len Hutchins ended up with a
bad gash over his left eye, and a swollen left eye as a result of the 'clash-of-heads'.

Len Hutchins 'petitioned' the WBC for a 'rematch', but the WBC stated that Miguel Angel Cuello
was the 'mandatory'.

Flump wrote:

Il Duce wrote:Mr. Flump,

After John Conteh defended his WBC Championship in a 'tough bout' with #1 WBC Challenger
'Yaqui' Lopez, on October 9, 1976 - Miguel Angel Cuello was moved up to the #1 WBC slot.

The WBC was getting sick and tired of John Conteh's 'constant injury issues', and they put the
pressure on John to face #1 Miguel Cuello, who was promoted by Italian Fight Promoter -
Rodolfo Sabbatini and Managed by Umberto Branchini (who were connected with the WBC).

In December 1976, they gave John (60-Days) to defend his Championship against Miguel Angel Cuello,
in a bout that was set for Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Itaian Fight Promoter - Rodolfo Sabbatini won the 'fight purse bid'.

The bout was set for late February 1977, but Miguel Angle Cuello was 'hurt' in training, and the
Championship Bout was re-scheduled to March 7, 1977 and the venue moved to The Stadium,
Liverpool, United Kingdom, with #5 WBC Challenger - Len Hutchins moved in as the 'replacement'
Challenger.

The 'winner' of the John Conteh - Len Hutchins WBC Championship bout, had to defend the
Title within '60-Days', as per the WBC contract.

March 7, 1977 - John Conteh wins impressively (TKO 3) over Len Hutchins. But, there was
some controversy involving a 'head-butt' in Round 1, where Len Hutchins ended up with a
bad gash over his left eye, and a swollen left eye as a result of the 'clash-of-heads'.

Len Hutchins 'petitioned' the WBC for a 'rematch', but the WBC stated that Miguel Angel Cuello
was the 'mandatory'.

Good work Il Duce. Conteh by his own admission screwed his career up. Regarding his head work I also remember him saying that he saw Chris Finnegan across a room at a function some years after they had retired, Conteh nodded at him and Finnegan ducked...

Il Duce wrote:Thanks Mr. Rover and Mr. Flump,,,,,,

Seems that John Conteh after signing a 'fight contract' on April 21, 1977 - later claimed that
a 'Gun' was put to his head, forcing him sign the contract at 'Gunpoint' and under duress.

Then, John Conteh asked for help from the British Board of Boxing, as he wanted to withdraw
from the bout in Monte Carlo, and defend against a lower ranked opponent first.

Stanley Brodie (John Conteh's - Attorney) and Manager - George Francis attempted to work
out other options, as they claimed that the contract was 'invalid'.

'Three-times' John Conteh had prepared to leave Liverpool, United Kingdom and head to Monte Carlo,
Monaco. But, each time he 'pulled' an excuse, and refused to go.

Each time he delayed, the WBC (Jose Sulaiman) threatened John that he would be 'stripped' of his
WBC Championship if he did not fulfill his contractual obligations.

The 'problem' with the contract, was that John Conteh's 'fight purse' was put in escrow, and that he
would receive his fight purse 'after' the Championship Bout.

But, John wanted the $150,000 'fight purse' deposited in his account 'before' he stepped into the Ring.

But, there was a 'clause' in the Contract, that stated. 'If the transmission of the Television Broadcast
picture was of poor quality, CBS-TV could have 50% of their of $150,000 'Championship Fight Fee'
returned.

Il Duce wrote:Thanks Mr. Rover and Mr. Flump,,,,,,

Seems that John Conteh after signing a 'fight contract' on April 21, 1977 - later claimed that
a 'Gun' was put to his head, forcing him sign the contract at 'Gunpoint' and under duress.

Then, John Conteh asked for help from the British Board of Boxing, as he wanted to withdraw
from the bout in Monte Carlo, and defend against a lower ranked opponent first.

Stanley Brodie (John Conteh's - Attorney) and Manager - George Francis attempted to work
out other options, as they claimed that the contract was 'invalid'.

'Three-times' John Conteh had prepared to leave Liverpool, United Kingdom and head to Monte Carlo,
Monaco. But, each time he 'pulled' an excuse, and refused to go.

Each time he delayed, the WBC (Jose Sulaiman) threatened John that he would be 'stripped' of his
WBC Championship if he did not fulfill his contractual obligations.

The 'problem' with the contract, was that John Conteh's 'fight purse' was put in escrow, and that he
would receive his fight purse 'after' the Championship Bout.

But, John wanted the $150,000 'fight purse' deposited in his account 'before' he stepped into the Ring.

But, there was a 'clause' in the Contract, that stated. 'If the transmission of the Television Broadcast
picture was of poor quality, CBS-TV could have 50% of their of $150,000 'Championship Fight Fee'
returned.

Il Duce wrote:Ken Norton, who did the Fight Announcing with Tom Brookshier for CBS, travelled with Jesse Burnett
from Los Angeles.

Also on the Flight, Manager - Jesse Reid and Light Welterweight - Bruce Curry

Twice, they had to change Airplanes.

When Jesse Burnett finally arrived in Monte Carlo (near Midnight) on Thursday - he could only
sleep for 5 Hours, and woke up at 5:00 AM Friday Morning.

He only had '1-Day' to train Monte Carlo, and only 2-days to get acclimated to the climate.

The bout was held at the Stade Louis II outdoor stadium (Capacity; 15,000) at 10:00 PM

Il Duce wrote:I know Bruce Curry attempted to shoot Jesse Reid,,,,,,,,

Jesse Reid was holding out on some of Bruce's fight purse money.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jesse Burnett's legs went, somewhere around Round 5. He was definitely affected by the
long air travel.

Miguel Angel Cuello was bigger 'body wise' than Victor Galindez, though they
both were roughly the same frame size.

Miguel 'El Lita' Angel Cuello could punch, and he was built like a 'Caterpillar D-9 Bulldozer'.

Carlos Monzon worked out and sparred with Miguel Angel Cuello while he was training in Monte Carlo, Monaco
during May 1977.

Il Duce wrote:Mr. Flump,

Miguel Angel Cuello was only good, when he stayed in 'full training'.

When he did, he was a 'brute'.

He was supposed to fight Mate Parlov in August 1977 (90-days after defeating Jesse Burnett).

But , Miguel, who had been living in Milan, Italy - went back to Argentina and enjoyed the
'so-called' good life, despite being over-shadowed by Carlos Monzon and Victor Galindez.

In July 1977 - he went back to Monte Carlo, Monaco - as part of Calos Monzon's camp when he
made his final appearance there against Rodrigo Valdez.

Miguel was supposed to stay in Europe (move back to Milan) to start training for his bout
with #1 WBC Challenger - Mate Parlov.

But, he claimed an 'injury' (damaged ribs) and went back to Argentina in August 1977, and asked
the WBC for a 3-Month postponement, until November 1977, which he was granted.

The bout with Mate Parlov was then again pushed back, until January 1978.

Back in Argentina, he spent very little time in training camp, and was no longer working with the
great Argentinian Trainer - Amilcar Brusa.

When he went back to Milan, Italy (mid December 1977) to train for his January 7, 1978 Championship
Bout, he was 'out-of-shape', and no longer had the 'muscular physique'.

And his Age (31 years, 11 months), affected his endurance, which limited his training.

He gave a 'half-effort' in his bout with Mate Parlov, and by the 5th Round he was spent.
Miguel lasted another 4 Rounds on shear courage, until he was eventually stopped by a 'knockout' {KO 9}.

Following the embarrassing loss to Mate Parlov, he vowed to get back into intense training for a
rematch with Mate Parlov for {late April 1978}.

But after 2-weeks of 'intense-training' in Milan, Italy during {February 1978} - he seemed to lose his
desire to fight. Though the rematch was still scheduled for {late April 1978} - Miguel was back to 'not training',
and in {mid-April 1978} he announced his retirement, claiming that he suffered another injury preventing
Miguel from continuing his career.

In 1978 - he returned to Argentina (Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe Province) west of Buenos Aires.

So ended the career of Miguel Angel 'Lita' Cuello, nickname for 'thick neck'.

Flump wrote:

Il Duce wrote:Mr. Flump,

Miguel Angel Cuello was only good, when he stayed in 'full training'.

When he did, he was a 'brute'.

He was supposed to fight Mate Parlov in August 1977 (90-days after defeating Jesse Burnett).

But , Miguel, who had been living in Milan, Italy - went back to Argentina and enjoyed the
'so-called' good life, despite being over-shadowed by Carlos Monzon and Victor Galindez.

In July 1977 - he went back to Monte Carlo, Monaco - as part of Calos Monzon's camp when he
made his final appearance there against Rodrigo Valdez.

Miguel was supposed to stay in Europe (move back to Milan) to start training for his bout
with #1 WBC Challenger - Mate Parlov.

But, he claimed an 'injury' (damaged ribs) and went back to Argentina in August 1977, and asked
the WBC for a 3-Month postponement, until November 1977, which he was granted.

The bout with Mate Parlov was then again pushed back, until January 1978.

Back in Argentina, he spent very little time in training camp, and was no longer working with the
great Argentinian Trainer - Amilcar Brusa.

When he went back to Milan, Italy (mid December 1977) to train for his January 7, 1978 Championship
Bout, he was 'out-of-shape', and no longer had the 'muscular physique'.

And his Age (31 years, 11 months), affected his endurance, which limited his training.

He gave a 'half-effort' in his bout with Mate Parlov, and by the 5th Round he was spent.
Miguel lasted another 4 Rounds on shear courage, until he was eventually stopped by a 'knockout' {KO 9}.

Following the embarrassing loss to Mate Parlov, he vowed to get back into intense training for a
rematch with Mate Parlov for {late April 1978}.

But after 2-weeks of 'intense-training' in Milan, Italy during {February 1978} - he seemed to lose his
desire to fight. Though the rematch was still scheduled for {late April 1978} - Miguel was back to 'not training',
and in {mid-April 1978} he announced his retirement, claiming that he suffered another injury preventing
Miguel from continuing his career.

In 1978 - he returned to Argentina (Venado Tuerto, Santa Fe Province) west of Buenos Aires.

So ended the career of Miguel Angel 'Lita' Cuello, nickname for 'thick neck'.

Thanks Il Duce.