Conn was a very good fighter, Tunney was a great fighter. Boxing sometimes is as fickle as about who takes their opportunities when they present themselves, Conn was on the verge and didn’t, Tunney took his opportunities better. I evaluate a lot on their heavyweights resumes on which beat the best opponent around to them at the time, and that was Tunney, as they weren’t really heavyweight fighters just naturally gifted that they could fight bigger guys. Louis would have been interesting, I would have Tunney as a live outsider in this, he had an ability to get the job done and had solid tactics and ability to adjust when required.
This is a GREAT fight! Both are in the top all time great Heavy Champs. I could see it both ways with either winning different ways. Forced to,I believe Louis is just that much better. Louis wins.
I don't know about that Conn didn't have a long career at the top but he fought and beat real top notch opponents fron Middleweight up. Gene was pretty quick not quite like Conn. Tunney won the Big Prize. Different length different mountain to climb especially considering Jack Dempsey besides rusty was no Joe Louis.
Tunney was probably better overall than Conn, but he didn't have Conn's insane chin, which was a big part of his success (though not enough in the end). It definitely seems to have been more a case of his getting worn down than changing his approach. Also Louis was on a ridiculous schedule that had seen him knocked out the ring not long before, so a subpar performance I'm that fight is no surprise
Billy Conn was great though. World War 2 affected many careers. He won the title very young. He did show that he despite being small he could and would earn hiss shot at Louis. Billy got to heavyweight took over the division. I believe he knocked some of those big boys out. People say Louis struggled with Conn so etc...I'm sure Conn from that night would have given other champions. All the wamted.
Up until 5 or 6 years i had the perception that Billy Conn excellent LigbtHeavyweitht Champ moved up and challenged Louis one night. That as a heavyweight he was unproven. Conn/Louis is underated as a fight in general. It was boxing at its best. There was some high level stuff happening in there. Then , Conn slips with Louis right on top on him. What did Joe do? He steps back and let's Conn regroup. Joe knew he was in a scrap but he stayed fair. That was a golden nite