Billy Conn
| Billy Conn | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | William David Conn |
| Nickname(s) | The Pittsburgh Kid |
| Rated at | Light Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1 1⁄2 in (187 cm) |
| Reach | 72 1⁄2 in (184 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
October 8, 1917 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Died | May 29, 1993 (aged 75) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 77 |
| Wins | 64 |
| Wins by KO | 15 |
| Losses | 12 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 0 |
William David "Billy" Conn (October 8, 1917 – May 29, 1993) was an Irish American professional boxer and Light Heavyweight Champion famed for his fights with Joe Louis. He had a professional boxing record of 63 wins, 11 losses and 1 draw, with 14 wins by knockout. His nickname, throughout most of his career, was "The Pittsburgh Kid."
Conn debuted as a professional boxer winning on the 20th of July, 1934, against Johnny Lewis, via a knockout in round three.
Conn built a record of 47 wins, 9 losses and 1 draw (tie), with 7 knockout wins, before challenging for the World Light Heavyweight title. Along the way, he beat former or future world champions Fritzie Zivic, Solly Krieger and Fred Apostoli, as well as Teddy Yarosz and Young Corbett III.
On July 13, 1939, he met World Light Heavyweight Champion Melio Bettina in New York, outpointing him in 15 rounds and winning the World Light Heavyweight Championship. Conn defended his title against Bettina and twice against another World Light Heavyweight Champion, Gus Lesnevich, each of those three bouts resulting in 15-round decision wins for Conn. Conn also beat former World Middleweight Champion Al McCoy and heavyweights Bob Pastor, Lee Savold, Gunnar Barlund and Buddy Knox in non-title bouts during his run as World Light Heavyweight Champion.
Billy married Mary Louise Smith, also from Pittsburgh. They have pictures of themselves at the vacation spot Ocean City, New Jersey. Billy did not get along with Mary's father, former MLB champion Jimmy "Greenfield Jimmie" Smith. A fight broke out between them in Smith's Squirrel Hill home on Beechwood Boulevard. Conn punched his father-in-law in the head and broke his hand. As a result of the injury, the fight with Joe Louis was postponed. Frank Deford wrote colorfully about the kitchen brawl in his Sports Illustrated story "The Boxer and the Blond".
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