BOXING: Conteh on his way to Peterborough

The former world light-heavyweight champion is the guest at Kevin Sanders next boxing dinner at the Solstice pub in Peterborough on Thursday July 21.

Conteh is an experienced after-dinner speaker as well as a ring legend.

At 19, he won the middleweight gold medal at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games. He won the WBC light-heavyweight crown in October 1974 by defeating Jorge Ahumada and held the title until 1977 when he was stripped for not going through with a mandated defence.

He was the loser in a 15-round split decision to the Yugoslavian fighter Mate Parlov in an attempt to regain the title.

He failed twice in further efforts to win back his old crown in 1979 and then again seven months later in 1980 – both against the American Matthew Saad Muhammad. Muhammad won both bouts but his first victory was declared void because his cornermen used an illegal substance on a cut.

Conteh retired from professional boxing in 1980 with a record of 34 wins, one draw, and four losses.

Conteh proved he was an all-round talented athlete when he won the British Superstars TV competition in 1974 and he is a keen golfer and plays of a handicap of eight.

Tickets are available directly from Sanders on 07872 601467.