Bob Foster was a Brave man

Billy Conn tried the same thing against Joe Louis in 41 and was actually ahead on 2 of the 3 judges cards and even on the third going into the 13th round. Then he got silly and thought he could take out Louis and got KO'd for his effort. He may have been the first light heavy to take the heavyweight title if he'd have just boxed the last few rounds.

After the fight it has been said that when asked why he decided to square up with Louis instead of just boxing him, Conn reportedly replied "What's the sense being Irish if you can't be stupid."

They fought one more time, almost 5 years to the day later, with Conn being KO'd in 8 rounds.

 

he just wasn't big enough (weight wise), nor strong enough physically to overcome these guys.

It sure gives perspective for the many great fighters of the past who stepped up 1 & 2 divisions, because the TOP lower division fighters did, and this was expected and allowed of some of them. They are the brave ones.

Never be allowed today, for such smaller fighters to do so!