Billy Conn vs. Tim Witherspoon

[KOTF]

The Conn that fought Joe Louis I vs. the Witherspoon that was in-shape and prime.

[Unforgiven]

Billy Conn, by decision.

[Mendoza]

Billy Conn, by decision.

Based on what? Conn was a weak hitter, and never faced a man of Witherpsoon's size who could jab, and also had defense, and power.

[Unforgiven]

Based on what? Conn was a weak hitter, and never faced a man of Witherpsoon's size who could jab, and also had defense, and power.

Based on Conn being a superb boxer and very durable.

[Mendoza]

Based on Conn being a superb boxer and very durable.

If Conn was such a good boxer, why did he lose nine fights by decision and draw once? My point is he was in fact out boxed often.

I agree that Billy was a skilled guy. He just does not have the reach or power to jab with Witherpsoon, and Witherspoon was not a slow footed shuffler like Louis was. Witherspoon was rather hard to hit.

Examples of a shorter man giving up many inches in reach and out jabbing a much larger skilled fighter are rare.

[Unforgiven]

If Conn was such a good boxer, why did he lose nine fights by decision and draw once? My point is he was in fact out boxed often.

Six of those losses came in 4-round and 6-rounders in his first year of fighting, when he was 16/17 years old. He was learning. He had no amateur fights.

The other three decision losses were to great fighters.



I agree that Billy was a skilled guy. He just does not have the reach or power to jab with Witherpsoon, and Witherspoon was not a slow footed shuffler like Louis was. Witherspoon was rather hard to hit.




Witherspoon wasn't that hard to hit.
And he wasn't quick on his feet either.


Examples of a shorter man giving up many inches in reach and out jabbing a much larger skilled fighter are rare.


Conn would outboxed Witherspoon. And not just with the jab.