Billy Conn at 100

Cool. Now I know that I can actually skip reading it.

No disrespect to you or to Conn at all. I love reading stuff on old timers but is there some sort of cottage industry in unrealistic portrayals of premodern pugs who could defy all odds that the modern era has affirmed?

 

I could see it. Great read.

 

Bill Conn was a bad ass extraordinaire. And I rank Louis at #2 in terms of greatness as a heavyweight. But between Louis not having a great night and the evolution or the division, this article is such fantastical imaginings that it can hardly be taken seriously.

Billy would be competitive with Ali for about 3 or 4 rounds... Tops.

 

I think there's a good case he'd even give Ali a hard fight, I don't give him much chance at all of actually winning though. He might be faster than Ali, but Ali would still catch him easier than Louis, and I think that'd compensate for not being as good a finisher.

 

I don't know so much.

Ali looked decidedly uncomfortable, when somebody played him at his own game, and made him work on the front foot!

 

Conn was an excellent fighter and a tough nut .If Henry Cooper ,Doug Jones could give Ali a hard night I'm sure Billy could .He's not beating Ali for sure but he'd give him an uncomfortable night s work .
I'll say Ali stops him around the 12 th whilst the scorecards are extremely close .

 

Just for the record, Doug Jones caused a green Ali some 'discomfort.'

Cooper did not. He scored a flash KD and was promptly stopped the following round.

Some embarrassment yes, but not a threat in the least.

 

But you get my general meaning ?
These guys whilst not bums were not great fighter s as suchlike. But Conn was an excellent fighter IMO and could easily give Ali trouble .But by no means do I see him winning in a Holmes v Spinks type upset !

 

Ali looked terrible trying to force a fight, very good point. Lost at sea at times, didn't know what to throw !

 

Cooper was jabbing well with Ali imo, it surprised people !

 

Yes, I get your general meaning.

Conn was pretty good and could have made a more competitive fight with Ali than some who actually fought him did.

I was just reacting to the Cooper bit. I often see posts on here along the lines of.....if Henry Cooper could almost beat Ali, then X would certainly have beaten him.