Billy Conn after Louis I: "What's the point of being Irish if you can't be thick?" Right there, by Conn's own admission is the difference. Muhammad Ali stated, "I never said I was the smartest, just the greatest." Gene Tunney was the smartest of the HW Champions and that's the difference. Although Billy might not get knocked out, he wouldn't have any margin for error in the scoring either. Conn topped out at 182 for the Louis rematch (where he had nothing). Tunney had grown into a big and mature 192 at age 30 for his peak performance, his career finale with Tom Heeney. He had a four inch reach advantage on Billy. Maybe excepting Loughran, Gene's probably the worst guy ever to concede reach to. It's a clear UD for Gene, who would exploit every mistake Conn made.
Not sure on the outcome of the bout - great fight, but your dislike of Tunney clouds your vision he’s one of the best there has ever been.
Two of my favorite fighters. I think that Conn hit better than given credit for. The majority of his ko wins happened at 175 or above and you have to consider that he turned pro at 18 with no amateur experience and fought a lot of very good fighters early in his career. Tunney fought in the St Paul style which was based on drawing leads and countering, especially to the body. Accounts of Tunney talk about his hooks and uppercuts to the body and his straight right hand to the heart. Conn described his style as move, move, feint to create an opening and then throw a series of punches, get out and start again. I think that you would see a fight that many modern fans would not appreciate; the more knowledgeable fans of the pre war era would love it. You would see two guys feinting and drawing to draw leads to create opportunity and there would be some very sharp exchanges. Conn would move more and Tunney would keep a tight circle to keep Conn in front of him. The exchanges would be very sharp.
Billy weighed 180 lbs a month before fighting Louis, against Gunnar Burland whom he knocked out. Of course, Conn could have come in at his usual 174 lbs for Tunney, as he did against the other notable heavyweights he fought. I think that Conn's speed and volume punching would be just what it takes to give Tunney a hard time, the way Loughran and Greb did.
Hi Buddy. Excellent breakdown on a intriguing matchup, I too would favour Tunney also, anyone who turns up at the commissioners office the next day to post a bond to fight Greb again, whilst bruised and battered, is some fighter, think he will be too big and strong for Conn, and would look for a points win, lest we forget Conn was also made of stern stuff. stay safe Anubis, chat soon.
Big fan of Conn. I do think Tunneys physical advantages take him to a close points win. Could see Conn taking 1 out of 3 though.