If Conn managed to box his way to a decision over Louis...

If Conn beat Joe Louis, his all time status at light heavyweight would be top 5 for everybody'd lists, not just some. As it is he was a hall of famer and one of the best lightheavyweight champs, but beating Loius would have bolstered that prestigious career even more. Likewise, it might have affected how Louis was percieved in history as well. That being said, if Conn was able to pull off that upset he was so close to doing in that first bout with Louis, there probably would have been an immediate rematch, and Joe most likely would have made adjustments and won it.

 

Louis would still be at No. 2, but he'd be just above three instead of just below one. If that makes any sense.

 

I can envision Conn being a Ray Robinson type of icon if he beat Louis and the title to boot. Top 3 pound for pound, if not out right number 1 stack between Ray, Greb, and Fitz of couse. Take your pick.

Louis will still be number I or II determine on Ali, views, because Louis would still have that long rein, 24 title defenses would still be a record, and the first former champ to regain the title. So that may give Louis some bouns points.

 

Norton managed to take a decision over Ali and Ali came back to win the following 3 fights(acording to the judges) yet Ali is still rated highly...If Louis came back to stop Conn, he would still be rated among the greats, Lewis was stopped 2 times but came back, I think its the way you come back that shows you are great.

 

Conn would move up a fair amount p4p as he could claim to have one of the biggest wins in boxing history I would have him top 15 p4p. It wouldn't be a toss up for number 1 heavy between Louis and Ali I think Ali would be clear 1 and Louis would go down head to head due to the loss and in inability to stop an man much smaller then him.

 

Since Conn weighed under the LH limit for that fight, he would likely have slotted in the fourth slot, instead of #8 or #9. p4p he likely moves into my Top 20-25.

Louis drops a place or two, and probably falls out of top ten p4p all time, but remains well within the Top 5 all time at heavyweight

 

Would Conn give Louis the rematch? Would Conn have got better as a champ?

Conn wouldnt be rated that highly because his other wins are legendary. I mean Mike Spinks isnt ranked that highly despite getting 2 decisions over Holmes and he has a better 175lb legacy.

 

A lot of people slot Spinks as a Top 3 LH, including myself. And he would still be rated above Conn based on the extant of the work that he did as LH champ in my rating, anyway.

But, let's face it, beating the defending, long-reigning heavyweight champion when weighing less than 175lbs is the stuff of legend, and would almost certainly have elevated Conn's stature to no end.

And I think a rematch with Louis would have been a natural fight to take place, provided, of course, that Conn didn't lose is title in the interim.