YUGOSLAVIA: JOHN CONTEH OF THE UNITED KINGDOM FAILS IN BID TO REGAIN WORLD BOXING ASSOCIATION LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FROM YUGOSLAVIAN CHAMPION MATE PARLOV.

Record ID: 338494

  • Title: YUGOSLAVIA: JOHN CONTEH OF THE UNITED KINGDOM FAILS IN BID TO REGAIN WORLD BOXING ASSOCIATION LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE FROM YUGOSLAVIAN CHAMPION MATE PARLOV.
  • Date: 18th June 1978
  • Summary: 1. GV Sparring in opening rounds John Conteh of the United Kingdom in white shorts 0.14 2. GV Crowd watching 0.16 3. GV Mate Parlov of Yugoslavia scoring with long right as Conteh tries to get in close 0.24 4. GV Crowd 0.27 5. SCU Parlov gives ground 0.34 6. SCU Commentator at ringside 0.35 7. GV Both boxers score with short
  • Embargoed: 3rd July 1978 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BELGRADE, YUGOSLAVIA
  • City:
  • Country: Yugoslavia
  • Reuters ID: LVAB1C202SSOHP1EQUESDMQ6ISTO
  • Story Text: Boxing....and at Belgrade's Red Star football stadium, John Conteh of the United Kingdom failed to regain the World Boxing Association Light-heavyweight title when he met the reigning Yugoslavian champion, Mate Parlov on Saturday night (17 June). Parlov outpointed Conteh 145-141 and 143-140.

    SYNOPSIS: Two things beat Conteh -- his lack of sharpness against the Yugoslav in the early rounds of the contest and four warnings from the referee.

    In the days before the fight, Conteh had vowed to take control of affairs from the first bell, but he failed to do so. But he did hold his own, managing some good return jabs at Parlov, forcing him to give some ground.

    But as the fight progressed, the Yugoslav's snaking southpaw was beginning to prove an obstacle to Conteh's progress and he was occasionally picked off by the Yugoslav's countering left hand. They were closely matched for the first two rounds, but the third round was Parlov's.

    The home crowd was right behind Parlov and he gave them a good display. Conteh's replies were too often rushed, betraying his lack of contests in the last three years. He was given some encouragement in the sixth round when a cut opened over Parlov's right eye.

    Conteh's chances seemed high when the final round opened. In the 12th he had reopened the Yugoslav's cut and in the following rounds, delivered a hail of blows to Parlov's face. But in the final round, his attack faltered. Another warning from the referee might have proved costly and his punches became less precise. As the final bell went, both men were visibly wilting -- and mistakenly Conteh raised his arms in a gesture of victory.

    But the judges had given the close fought contest to Parlov and he will now line up for a match with the World Boxing Association Champion, Victor Galindez of Argentina.
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