Billy Conn

[jyuza]

When I see this name, I think of this.

At the time he was lightheavy weight champion, he decided to step up and fight the heavy weight champion of the time : Joe Louis.

I didn't watched the fight but I know he was doing pretty good, winning clearly a lot of rounds, he was ahead on points and en route to the upset.
Unfortunately, he wanted to make the show and tried to knock Louis out. A 175er against a powerful 200er !!

It costs him the fight in the 13rd round when he got knocked out (cold ?).

This is the kind of man I admire the most.

Comments ?

[janitor]

Conn is definitely a pound for pound great. He was beating world champions while he was still a teenager and had established an incredible resume by the time he met Louis.

The war robbed him of some of his best years which is a shame because he was surely going to make big waves.

[PowerPuncher]

The most impressive thing is his ability - punching technique, speed, movement, combinations. Wonderful boxer to watch.

If he pot shotted Louis and stuck and moved he would have beat Louis. But he decided to fight on the inside throwing 6 punch hook combinations and moved out. He managed to pull this off for quite a while before getting caught

Is Conn better than Tunney? I think so

[janitor]

Is Conn better than Tunney? I think so

A strong case can be made.

[jyuza]

The most impressive thing is his ability - punching technique, speed, movement, combinations. Wonderful boxer to watch.

If he pot shotted Louis and stuck and moved he would have beat Louis. But he decided to fight on the inside throwing 6 punch hook combinations and moved out. He managed to pull this off for quite a while before getting caught

Is Conn better than Tunney? I think so

At lightheavy, Tunney was awesome. I don't know that much about Conn but a Tunney - Conn at lightheayweight would have been something incredible.

[groove]

great light heavies have done well in many Heavyweight eras of boxing but not Bob Foster. Was he a worse fighter than Conn or was he fighting better fighters i.e. Frazier and Ali?

[janitor]

great light heavies have done well in many Heavyweight eras of boxing but not Bob Foster. Was he a worse fighter than Conn or was he fighting better fighters i.e. Frazier and Ali?

Perhaps a little bit of both but-

Above all he was less well suited stylisticaly to taking on heavyweights than Conn. He was a fighter who relied on his physical advantages a lot.

[jyuza]

Above all he was less well suited stylisticaly to taking on heavyweights than Conn. He was a fighter who relied on his physical advantages a lot.

Well said. My thought exactly.

[janitor]

Well said. My thought exactly.

If you put Bob Foster in Billy Conn's era then he would wreak havoc in the light heavyweight division, but get disapointing results when he stepped up to heavyweight just as he did in his own era.

If you put Billy Conn in the 70s then it would be him and not Jimmy Ellis who faced off against Joe Frazier for the vacant title during Muhamad Ali's exile.

[jyuza]

If you put Bob Foster in Billy Conn's era then he would wreak havoc in the light heavyweight division, but get disapointing results when he stepped up to heavyweight just as he did in his own era.

If you put Billy Conn in the 70s then it would be him and not Jimmy Ellis who faced off against Joe Frazier for the vacant title during Muhamad Ali's exile.

I can't really blame him, lightheavyweight and heavyweight are separated by 20 pounds... hard to compete with big boxers with only power as weapon.
Tunney was a different, probably the smartest boxer ever. He was able to read through his opponents and find a way in 2 rounds (and without any footage please!).

Awesome. That's why he is so fascinating.

[rekcutnevets]

I remember reading something about Conn beating up a mugger back in the 90's. Imagine trying to rob an old man, and getting pounded in return. Conn was always ballsy. Conn gets critisized a lot for going for the knock out against Joe, but I think you owe anybody who goes for the gusto a round of applause.

[Ramon Rojo]

I remember reading something about Conn beating up a mugger back in the 90's. Imagine trying to rob an old man, and getting pounded in return. Conn was always ballsy. Conn gets critisized a lot for going for the knock out against Joe, but I think you owe anybody who goes for the gusto a round of applause.

Wasn´t it suppose to be Dempsey?

This bullshit story gets repeated with all different fighters.

[rekcutnevets]

Dempsey died in the early 80's. This was supposed to have happened in the 90's. It may have come from Fight News. They had a cartoon drawing of an Old Conn beating up a mugger.

[Bummy Davis]

On the night he fought Louis, Conn was one of the best 175lbers ever. he was top 5

[dmt]

oNE OF THE GREATEST pure boxers ever. Top 5 atg light-heavyweight

[janitor]

Unfortunately, he wanted to make the show and tried to knock Louis out. A 175er against a powerful 200er !!

It costs him the fight in the 13rd round when he got knocked out (cold ?).


Conn gets a lot of criticism for going toe to toe with Louis but people forgett that he did not have the score card in his corner as the fight unfolded.

In order to take the title from the champion in those days you generaly had to force the fight as agresion was rewarded in the scoring. Conn would have known that the scoring was close and that if he ran for the last two rounds Louis might steal the decision.

Remember that Walcott lost the title against Louis by trying to sit on his lead for the last few rounds.

[joe33]

Dempsey died in the early 80's. This was supposed to have happened in the 90's. It may have come from Fight News. They had a cartoon drawing of an Old Conn beating up a mugger.

Got this of wiki --
"
Retiring from the ring as a boxer did not mean retiring as a public figure for Conn. Conn, who appeared in a 1941 movie called "The Pittsburgh Kid," maintained his boxing skills into his later years. He stepped into the middle of a robbery at a Pittsburgh convenience store in 1990 after the robber punched the store manager. Conn took a swing at the robber and ended up on the floor of the store, scuffling with him. "You always go with your best punch -- straight left," Conn told television station WTAE afterward. "I think I interrupted his plans." The robber managed to get away, but not before Conn pulled off his coat, which contained his name and address, making the arrest an easy one. His wife said jumping into the fray was typical of her husband. "My instinct was to get help," she said at the time. "Billy's instinct was to fight.""

What a true warrior,he was in his 70s by then to,bet the robber was stunned hehe.:lol:

[brownpimp88]

If you put Bob Foster in Billy Conn's era then he would wreak havoc in the light heavyweight division, but get disapointing results when he stepped up to heavyweight just as he did in his own era.

If you put Billy Conn in the 70s then it would be him and not Jimmy Ellis who faced off against Joe Frazier for the vacant title during Muhamad Ali's exile.
If you put micheal spinks in billy conn's era, he would have beat everybody at light heavyweight. The fact of the matter is, some greats started as journeyman and got better, while others had the natural ability from the beginning of thier career. Guys like benitez, spinks, salvador sanchez, hector camacho, they all had natural ability. Its personal problems that affected them from having long careers.

[Dempsey1238]

Perhaps a little bit of both but-

Above all he was less well suited stylisticaly to taking on heavyweights than Conn. He was a fighter who relied on his physical advantages a lot.

Than how can say Foster be blown out, and say a smaller guy that relies on his physical advantages do so well. It Micky Walker, what did Walker have that Foster lack??

Conn was great. I do think Conn would have done well, and fell short in the 70's in regards to Frazier and Ali. I think Conn could have beating Ellis. Close fight though. Ellis was a bit bigger.

[Dempsey1238]

I can't really blame him, lightheavyweight and heavyweight are separated by 20 pounds... hard to compete with big boxers with only power as weapon.
Tunney was a different, probably the smartest boxer ever. He was able to read through his opponents and find a way in 2 rounds (and without any footage please!).

Awesome. That's why he is so fascinating.

Tunney often study footage of his foes in action. He was watching Dempsey in action for a while before he step in and challage him for the title.

[jyuza]

Tunney often study footage of his foes in action. He was watching Dempsey in action for a while before he step in and challage him for the title.

Where did you see that ?

[Beebs]

Conn vs Tunney would be a dream fight at either LHW or HW, it is so interesting to compare the two because it all depends on if you rank them on a head to head basis at LHW, a head to head basis at HW, a pfp basis, or a greatness basis at either LHW HW or PfP, there are so many different angles and answers.

[Nemesis]

Billy Conn had Louis out on his feet at one point, which led to Conn throwing the kitchen sink at Louis, and ending up KO'ed, Conn looked absolutely awesome in that fight

[janitor]

Than how can say Foster be blown out, and say a smaller guy that relies on his physical advantages do so well. It Micky Walker, what did Walker have that Foster lack??


Durability and a style that did not depend on a reach advantage.

[UpWithEvil]

Where did you see that ?
Tunney fought on the undercard of Dempsey vs Carpentier.

And in regards to Conn, I had a chance to watch some non-Louis footage of Billy in the ring against other lightheavyweights and he looks outstanding. He's a very impressive fighter.

[Dempsey1238]

Tunney would also get his hands on thsos MM film for fighter in question for his training champ. Fights he study for Dempsey was Carp, Gibbions and firpo.

[jyuza]

Wanted to make a thread to remember this legend, but I totally forgot I already did years ago.

[choklab]

Conn gets a lot of criticism for going toe to toe with Louis but people forgett that he did not have the score card in his corner as the fight unfolded.

In order to take the title from the champion in those days you generaly had to force the fight as agresion was rewarded in the scoring. Conn would have known that the scoring was close and that if he ran for the last two rounds Louis might steal the decision.

Remember that Walcott lost the title against Louis by trying to sit on his lead for the last few rounds.

my take on watching the fight was that conn was fighting for his life. Louis kept pressing him but that big exchange (where everyone thinks conn was going for a KO) was actualy conn fighting his way out of trouble - he had been hurt and was comin back at Louis. Conn was ahead and boxing well but each time he was trapped or hurt he was forced to come out fighting, he didnt chose to go for the KO - Its a myth.

[McGrain]

Conn told his corner he was going for the knockout. They begged him not to do it.

[brnxhands]

tryin to post more billy conn pictures outside the ring. have to talk to my great aunt, its been a task my mother is going to. shes a few states over, i will tryy to have them soon sorry. promise.. im on a laptop but i will find a way to upload photographic images

[jyuza]

I have read many times that the KO was more than a myth and like a brillant mind already said in this thread, those were the times where a challenger would come at the champ' to grab his belt.

[sugarsean]

great light heavies have done well in many Heavyweight eras of boxing but not Bob Foster. Was he a worse fighter than Conn or was he fighting better fighters i.e. Frazier and Ali?

Joe Louis would of stretched Foster

[PowerPuncher]

I have read many times that the KO was more than a myth and like a brillant mind already said in this thread, those were the times where a challenger would come at the champ' to grab his belt.

I think it's because Foster didn't get on the backfoot and move like some others have done. People say he couldn't really do it at HW but his only real prime losses are Ali and Frazier and he had some success with his jab against Ali

[red cobra]

The more I think of Conn I'm convinced that he's up in the elite with Tunney and Charles..maybe even the best. I used to think if he could come so close vs Louis then, what lightheavy did he even have to worry about..then I thought maybe that was a little simplistic...now I'm thinking that makes sense. Conn was exemplified the 40's spirit..the WW2 era champion to the hilt..with confidence and guts to go with all that crazy skill.

[Conn]

conn was a complete fighter. the only think he lacked was devastating power. but he had the rest - he could box and move on the outside, he could fight skillfully on the inside, he wasnt afraid to rough his man up. he knew all the tricks. and he could take a punch and had a ton of heart
hes one of the greatest fighters ever

[red cobra]

Guts, skills, attitude..Conn was the complete package. The real real deal.

[Pachilles]

Even regardless of how well he fared against Louis, you want to check out how many solid, accurate, sickening punches it took for Louis to drop him. One tough hombre

[RockyJim]

Conn beat something like 10 former and future world champions on his way up to the Lt.Heavy crown...then he almost beats Joe Louis in 1941...in his prime he was one of the best pure boxers of all time...

[choklab]

Conn told his corner he was going for the knockout. They begged him not to do it.


its easy to say all that pony after the fight but watch the whole of round 13 and decide for yourself. I didn’t see conn come out storming for the KO - he boxed. I did however see billy shoot his bolt in spirited retaliation to Joe Louis hurting him. conn gamely fought his way out of a corner then ran out of steam. I think Billy just went along with THE "i went for the KO" line once people started saying he hurt Louis in round 12 and had a go in round 13 before he got caught but IMO its just not how it happened. He boxed brilliantly but was made to fight when he was cornered.

[McGrain]

its easy to say all that pony after the fight but watch the whole of round 13 and decide for yourself.

Yeah, astonishingly enough I've seen it a few times.

I didn’t see conn come out storming for the KO - he boxed.

He did indeed come out boxing. You think he has to come out throwing overhand rights from his hips?

It's ok if you want to say he wasn't going for the KO. But your opinion is meaningless to me, because it is based upon your bad read of the fight, and contradicts the testimony of the Conn corner, family, and the fighter himself. In other words,like a lot of your posts, it doesn't have much connection with reality.

[choklab]

He did indeed come out boxing. You think he has to come out throwing overhand rights from his hips?.

Of course not. You can lure a fighter into opening up, there is more ways to skin a cat - but to me Conn looks a lot less like a fighter looking for a KO until he has his bell rung.


It's ok if you want to say he wasn't going for the KO. But your opinion is meaningless to me, because it is based upon your bad read of the fight, and contradicts the testimony of the Conn corner, family, and the fighter himself. In other words,like a lot of your posts, it doesn't have much connection with reality.

getting rather spikey today arnt we?

Like I say, it was a great fight and conn boxed well.

[burt bienstock]

Conn beat something like 10 former and future world champions on his way up to the Lt.Heavy crown...then he almost beats Joe Louis in 1941...in his prime he was one of the best pure boxers of all time...
NEVER,NEVER an amateur, Billy Conn was thrown to the wolves. Just think by the age ot TWENTY Billy faced a prime Fritzie Zivic,Babe Risko, Vince Dundee, Oscar Rankings, Teddy Yarosz, Young Corbett, powerful punching Solly Krieger,all whom he BEAT... By the age of 22, Conn licked the terrific prime Fred Apostoli twice, Eric Seelig, Melio Bettina 2 [I saw Bettina draw with Jimmy Bivins MSG], Gus Dorazio, Gus Lesnevich, then soon after the 165-70 pound Conn kod the elusive Bob Pastor, who kod the feared Lem Franklin, Al McCoy, Lee Savold[ in Savold's prime] ... Kod the tough Finn Gunnar Barlund [who kod Buddy Baer], and then Billy's great effort against the 30 pound heavier immortal Joe Louis.
Truly there will never be a Billy Conn again. Hollywood looks ,combined with the guts of a burgler... Not for nothing was he called Pittsburgh's second greatest fighter ever. Of course we know who # 1 was...Cheers...

[McGrain]

getting rather spikey today arnt we?.


You make me spikey every day with your bullshit.


Here. Learn something.

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Or gather evidence and refute.

[choklab]

You make me spikey every day with your bullshit..

ouch!!! she bites!


Here. Learn something.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Or gather evidence and refute.


already seen it. still dont think conn set out to to go for the knock out at the start of round 13. its not bullshit to say that since he dosnt look like a fighter going for the knock out at the start of that round, at least i am not trashing billy conn like you did the other day.

[McGrain]

already seen it. still dont think conn set out to to go for the knock out at the start of round 13. its not bullshit to say that since he dosnt look like a fighter going for the knock out at the start of that round, at least i am not trashing billy conn like you did the other day.

:lol: ok

[choklab]

NEVER,NEVER an amateur, Billy Conn was thrown to the wolves. Just think by the age ot TWENTY Billy faced a prime Fritzie Zivic,Babe Risko, Vince Dundee, Oscar Rankings, Teddy Yarosz, Young Corbett, powerful punching Solly Krieger,all whom he BEAT... By the age of 22, Conn licked the terrific prime Fred Apostoli twice, Eric Seelig, Melio Bettina 2 [I saw Bettina draw with Jimmy Bivins MSG], Gus Dorazio, Gus Lesnevich, then soon after the 165-70 pound Conn kod the elusive Bob Pastor, who kod the feared Lem Franklin, Al McCoy, Lee Savold[ in Savold's prime] ... Kod the tough Finn Gunnar Barlund [who kod Buddy Baer], and then Billy's great effort against the 30 pound heavier immortal Joe Louis.
Truly there will never be a Billy Conn again. Hollywood looks ,combined with the guts of a burgler... Not for nothing was he called Pittsburgh's second greatest fighter ever. Of course we know who # 1 was...Cheers...

:good great fighter indeed.

[jyuza]

NEVER,NEVER an amateur, Billy Conn was thrown to the wolves. Just think by the age ot TWENTY Billy faced a prime Fritzie Zivic,Babe Risko, Vince Dundee, Oscar Rankings, Teddy Yarosz, Young Corbett, powerful punching Solly Krieger,all whom he BEAT... By the age of 22, Conn licked the terrific prime Fred Apostoli twice, Eric Seelig, Melio Bettina 2 [I saw Bettina draw with Jimmy Bivins MSG], Gus Dorazio, Gus Lesnevich, then soon after the 165-70 pound Conn kod the elusive Bob Pastor, who kod the feared Lem Franklin, Al McCoy, Lee Savold[ in Savold's prime] ... Kod the tough Finn Gunnar Barlund [who kod Buddy Baer], and then Billy's great effort against the 30 pound heavier immortal Joe Louis.
Truly there will never be a Billy Conn again. Hollywood looks ,combined with the guts of a burgler... Not for nothing was he called Pittsburgh's second greatest fighter ever. Of course we know who # 1 was...Cheers...

I wonder who would that be :good

[steve w]

"Handsome Billy', had it all, technically brilliant, tough as nails, and one of boxings TRUE greats, his record says it all, if only, we had his like fighting today.

[jyuza]

"Handsome Billy', had it all, technically brilliant, tough as nails, and one of boxings TRUE greats, his record says it all, if only, we had his like fighting today.

Hell, I would favor him over the Klitschko likes.