Billy Conn

Billy Conn ( born October 8, 1917 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as William David Conn, † May 29, 1993 ) was an American boxer.

Career

The Irish -born Conn, a counter- boxer from Pittsburgh, in 1934 pro, but lost seven of his first fifteen fights. He began in the lightweight and increased Welter and Middleweight by Fritzie Zivic victories over, Vince Dundee and Teddy Yarosz in the world class. The middleweight Fred Apostoli in 1939 he defeated twice.

In July 1939 he won the light heavyweight with a points victory over Melio Bettina the vacant world title and defended him then in the rematch against Bettina and in two fights against Gus Lesnevich. In 1940 he defeated Bob Pastor and Lee Savold. He then moved into the heavyweight division.

On June 18, 1941, and finally to the encounter with the heavyweight champion Joe Louis, Conn's most famous battle. He was at the beginning of the thirteenth round on points in front, but was too cocky and lost the battle even by knockout.

He defeated Tony Zale middleweight in 1942 and was followed by four years inactive. In 1946 he returned for a rematch against Louis in the ring back, but offered a poor performance and went in the eighth round knockout. In 1948, he played two more fights and then eventually ended his career.

1990 was Conn induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.