Billy Conn vs. Tim Witherspoon

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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

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

 

If Tim came into the fight in shape, I think he would stop Conn early, but knowing him, he'll be fat and obese, causing the fight being judged a draw.

 

Spoon. What Conn did to Louis was a mesh of styles and a bad night for Louis.

Spoon, when rarely motivated, was too big, too strong and too good.

 

Spoon takes this, to big, to strong and to polished and yeah just the better heavyweight.. An in shape Witherspoon was a handful for anyone.. He was very skilled, and had a good defense not to mention a ROCK SOLID chin, don't tell me about the 2nd fight vs Bonecrusher... I don't think Tim threw the fight but I don't think he gave two shits win or lose either, that was a BAD Witherspoon, he dominated Crusher in the first fight... I think he takes Billy out in the mid or late rounds, but I wouldn't be shocked if he put him away early he has the power in that right hand to put Billy to sleep at anytime, it would depend on how slick Conn could be and for how long...

 

A good friend of mine and one of our esteemed colleagues here on ESB by the name of Little Red has repeatedly espoused the viewpoint that Philadelphia is not only safer and cleaner than the slums on the otherside of Pennsylvania, but that the boxers of the city of brotherly love are also always vastly superior to those of the steel city!

If he is correct and I have come to believe in his expertise, I must pick Tim Witherspoon by a comfortable 8-4 or 10-5 type of decision!

 

Everything in this post is wrong from the space in my name to the terrible interpretation of my ideas! And the capitalization is suspect too...

 

:fire I feel like I don't even know who you are anymore? :roll:

 

I like Billy Conn all the way too fast, too much class...Witherspoon was slow and sluggard at times...Tim mounts a bit of pressure sporadically but not consistent enough to get the nod, Billy in a close UD

 

Kinda surprised people pick Tim's power as a factor in this, especially considering Conn took it from Joe Louis, a MUCH harder hitter than Witherspoon (and yes, Conn DID absorb shots from Joe throughout their fight). If he can take it from Louis, why not Tim? And the suggestion that Witherspoon might take out Conn early?? Makes no sense at all to me.

I need to give this fight more thought though. It's an intriguing match up for sure.

 

Witherspoon probably knocks him out. People shouldn't overrate Conn based on Louis I. To me, that fight is more of an indictment on Louis than anything. Louis just couldn't deal with movement at all. He really needed to have his feet set to throw knockout punches. And Conn actually hurt Louis and had him holding on in the 11th, I believe. However, Conn was too brave for his own good, standing and trading with Louis.