John Conteh vs. Jesse Burnett

Jesse Burnett 176 lbs drew with John Conteh 177 lbs by PTS in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1979-04-09
• Location: Anglo-American Sporting Club, Mayfair, London, United Kingdom
• Referee: Harry Gibbs 98.5-98.5

"Former world light heavyweight champion John Conteh of Britain was held to a draw over 10 rounds Monday by veteran Californian Jesse Burnett. Burnett looked unlucky not to get the decision in front of 1,000 dinner-jacketed fans at the Anglo-American Sporting Club here. He knocked Conteh down in the 1st and 8th rounds. Referee Harry Levene's draw decision was roundly booed by the crowd, and Burnett was given an ovation by the spectators. Burnett, 33, caught his 27 year old opponent with a superb left hook to the head at the end of the first round. Conteh was saved by the bell and survived the next round on wobbly legs, as the American surprisingly backed off. Both men finished strongly but it was still a surprise when referee Levene lifted both fighters' hands together." -Associated Press

• Burnett suffered a broken right hand during this bout, which sidelined him for several months.

• Conteh had a bout scheduled against Pete McIntyre for London on May 1st, which never materialized.

• The AP report repeatedly referred to the referee as Harry Levene. However, Harry Gibbs was the referee of this contest and Harry Levene was a British promoter.