With 36 listen at your level, you could have seen Julia and most sneaks of the same level as you. Of course, you could add the DP's, but guess what, there is a DP that gives spot/listen as well, so it's a moot point.
Anyhow, rather tired of that debate. It's a pointless one and arguments were stated in other topics and it is a result of ignorance more than anything since most don't know how the system works or what it's like on both sides and make bold claims based on hearsay most of the time.
---
edit: And no, a pure sneak doesn't beat a fighter in melee. What beats a fighter in melee is a fighter/rogue, but that's both a melee build and a stealth build and is usually the best build you can make for a fighter and for a rogue, hence why most of our rogues and fighters tend to be fighter/rogues.