Billy Conn vs Sonny Liston

Yes, among those shots were some very decent body punches which Conn appeared to take surprisingly well. He must’ve been in absolutely superb shape.

In some instances though it was bemusing to see Joe belabour the body exclusively when it appeared that head shots were def. available to him given the close proximity and Conn being relatively static.

 

Again, Liston is maybe harder puncher but he isn't fast as Louis and as skillful.
He would need to chase Conn like he did Ali.
I think it would end like Machen fight.

 

Liston would have to chase down Conn way more, but the end would be even uglier for Conn than the Louis fight.

 

Liston is a heavyweight, with a big bomb to boot. Liston by KO, what else.

 

Back to the Dumpster. Don't let the Dumpster Monster get you. Ha Ha.

 

I think it's possible for Conn to get a decision here, but probably not. I think the first Louis fight was a combo of Conn's brilliance & Joe having an off night.

Liston KO Conn 10

 

Very intriguing match.

initially I thought this would be a cake walk for Sonny. He excelled against men built like Billy.

However, I have seen Sonny fight Bert Whitehurst and Eddie Machen. Now Sonny beat both men handily, albeit on points, but it gives scope for a better harder hitting effort for someone else to do against Sonny that might beat him.

Not sure Billy was that guy but I won’t write him off.

 

There is a misconception by some perhaps that Billy Conn was just a lightheavyweight who moved up and fought Louis tough one night. I'm fairly certain Conn proved himself a good heavyweight before facing Louis.

 

Do you think Joe Louis should have been embarrassed having to go into the 13th round, down on the cards to Billy? The little fella even shook The Brown Bomber with a helluva lefthook in the 12th.

 

Yes.

 

Indeed, the Pastor fight was impressive in itself.

 

Conn would lack the range and if he dared to get into range often enough he would lose. And if he plays keep away, he’d lose. Billy better hope for a big ring and limited rounds. Liston is too long for him.

 

Yes I won’t write Billy off. He’s better than all the guys who extended Sonny. Machen. whitehurst etc.

 

Personally I don’t give Conn too much chance but it is nonetheless interesting to read those that do and their reasoning why. Certainly enough to engender a re-think.

Without detailed breakdown I think Conn’s performance and successes against a poorly performed Louis might be a bit of red herring - similar to using a clearly beaten and looking only to survive Machen to boost Conn’s chances vs Sonny.

Somewhat speculative I know but I think there might’ve been a bit of early to mid round “carry” involved on Joe’s part vs Conn, but a “carry” that went awry when Billy duly seized his opportunities, with Joe then legitimately fighting as best he could..

Joe appeared very tired in those later rounds - just imo, but most importantly, he did finally catch up.