Billy Conn - the Pittsburgh Kid

<P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 12pt>There has never been a fighter like Billy Conn.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Handsome as a movie star and tough as Pittsburgh steel Conn threw combinations with the beauty and speed of later masters Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>The kid from the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh began boxing professionally at age 16 as his manager Johnny Ray fed him older more experienced pros in a baptism of fire.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Conn developed quickly.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>At age 19 and 20 he defeated most of the world's best middleweights a division rich with talent.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Still growing by age 21 he won the world light-heavyweight title.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>After dominating that division he sought greater challenge in the heavyweight division.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>He beat three of the best heavyweights one by knockout and two by easy decision.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Only one challenge remained - the great heavyweight champion Joe Louis.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Their first fight remains one of boxing's all-time classics ranked by some as the greatest fight ever.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office /></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 12pt><SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Conn's story transcends boxing.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>He pursued and eloped with the love of his life the beautiful Mary Louise Smith despite her father's vehement and public opposition.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Conn and his father-in-law tangled in a chaotic brawl at a lavish christening party at the Smith home.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Billy starred in a Hollywood movie <I>The Pittsburgh Kid</I> and developed friendships with big stars like Bob Hope Robert Taylor and Frank Sinatra.</SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 12pt><SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Through all the glamour Billy remained the unpretentious kid from gritty Pittsburgh the city he loved.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>He became an icon of that city of the downtrodden Depression-era working class and of the American Irish.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN></SPAN></P><P class=MsoNormal style=MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify><SPAN style=FONT-SIZE: 12pt><SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>Conn's place in boxing and American folk history has been neglected and forgotten in recent decades.<SPAN style=mso-spacerun: yes> </SPAN>His story of a poor kid with talent and spirit who went for it all is one worth reading.</SPAN></P>