Bump I think they'd split a series, with Conn winning 2 on his slight speed and workrate advantage vs Gibbons' power and ring IQ
Great and intriguing matchup. Can't call it now for sure, but I'm leaning towards a split series too.
All we have of Gibbons are two worst case examples. Tunney and Dempsey. Against Dempsey he covered up and held to last the distance. Against Tunney he was fighting the last bout of his career and was way past his prime. From what we see Conn easily out points Tommy.
I think Billy is just a cut above, Tommy has skill and courage - no easy out for any Light Heavy and comes to fight. But Billy is a top 10 Light Heavy and will, IMO, just outclass him in the stretch and get the decision...
Billy would probably try to debilitate Tommy to the body and perhaps with a bit of below the belt rough stuff...with a late stoppage in mind ala Bob Pastor...but it would have just as well gone to a points win for Conn.
