Joe Louis vs Billy Conn I (19 minutes footage)

I understand what you're saying Chok, and I can see why you think that, but the reality is; he could've done other things besides go at Louis guns blazing. That is what I was trying to say. He could've circled away or stayed away. He could've tried to clinch or move away to set up a time to clinch a little. That is what I mean. Louis didn't pressure him or corner him. They were in the center of the ring, and Conn decides to go at Joe and exchange. He wasn't forced into that, he chose to do that imo. Again though, I get what you're saying.

 

That's reasonable and I respect that.

I doubt we can ever know for sure how much Billy had left after he was hit with that left hook right uppercut that came before the last flurry of his or if he was even thinking in terms of options with Louis baring down on him so much.

Seems to me Joe Louis was in that fight all the way through. As early as round two and later in round 5, Louis was really roughing Billy up. The rounds Billy won Joe was really hunting him.

When you have a banger like Louis hunting you down all night and you are fighting harder and harder to keep him away you are living on your wits a whole lot more than being able to assess alternatives.

To me, my decision is based on the pattern of all the earlier rounds and work. Billy came back at Louis. He kept coming back at him because Joe would be knocking him out if he wasn't. Even the furious onslaught that Billy hurt Joe with In round 12 came after hard blows Joe Landed.