First off. Did Foster ever meet anyone as good as Conn, at light heavy? And, who wins a battle of the two?
I don't know enough about Billy Conn outside of the Joe Louis fights, to really make a real prediction on this match up. But what I will say is as much as I love Foster at Light Heavyweight. His resume was a bit so an so, apart from knocking out Tiger who was really a Middleweight. Theres no real stand out wins, on Foster's resume against a really good Light Heavyweight. It would of been interesting if Foster was 10 years younger or so, and he could of fought the likes of Johnson, Conteh, Scott, Qawi, E.Muhammad, M.Muhammad, Lopez, Galindez, etc.
I ve got to say, I've always thought Bob s title reign wasn't of the strongest content. He did what he had to do obviously and looked good at the old kos, but yes, against some of the those from the late 70 s and 80 s hrd be challenged more.
I also have Conn winning. I think he has the ability to outbox him, keep out of the danger zone. He also could take a shot, but that's not ruling out Foster catching him if Billy gets a bit too confident.
Again Fergy, a fighter can only fight what is put in front of him, not fighters from the future or past but at their present time. In Bob Foster's era, most fighters did not call out other fighters like the WWE, it was boxing. Muhammad Ali used to do that, he was the greatest, there was only one Ali.
This fantasy fight for me would look like Bob Foster's title defense against Ray Anderson in 1971. Billy Conn has the better footwork and is quicker but he would be moving, always fearful of Foster's left hook, not willing to engage much. It goes 15 rounds for Foster on points.
But he did make a big mistake in round 13 against Joe Louis, he got tagged and put out after building a big lead. Why would Conn make the same mistake twice? Foster could hit, only two of his title defenses went the manly 15 round distance. Anderson and Jorge Ahumada. There are no moral victories in boxing, just victories, my quote.
Remember it well, Anderson ran like thief, thinking our own Chris Finnegan prop gave Foster his toughest fight, and I also see Conn beating Bob to the punch, he was sparing with his shots, consisted mainly of his range finding ( but hurtful jab ) followed by the whiplash left hook. Also Conn had a very sturdy chin, stood up to solid hitters the likes of, Apostoli, Krieger, Zale, not saying that if Foster connected, Conn wouldn't be on the canvas, possible for the count, but overall fancy Conn outworking Bob for a wide points win, mind you, one careless moment......... stay safe Richard.
I don't think Conn would be able to consistently get past the jab without being nailed with the left hook. I'm thinking Foster out-jabs him at range and takes a close decision where lots of the rounds are close but most of them should be scored for Foster. And I'd say, probably not no. Frazier and an aging Ali weren't as good as Peak Conn IMO.
I don't think any lhvy is going to just walk through them as good as Conn's chin was Finnegan had a sturdy chin but Bob cracked it.Conn wins a close dec.
Every light heavyweight who ever lived would be fearful of Bob Fosters left hook, it's one of the pound for pound hardest punches in boxing history and Conn ain't walking through that.
Firstly, wholly agree that no LHW would be unaffected by Foster,s left hook, also that Conn would win on points ( a UD for me ) the part about Bob cracking Finnegan's chin is not entirely accurate, in the sense that the chins of Quarry @ Tiger were indeed cracked, Chris was by the time of the fight ending absolutely exhausted, he had given his all, and more, but could hardly raise his hands by the fights end, of course it was Foster,s punches that had played a big part in Finnegans demise, but unlike the the above, it wasn't because of a single punch. Enjoy your educated and informative posts buddy, keep em coming.