On This Day

In Boxing History!

1917: Billy Conn Was Born!

Billy Conn    

Born: October 8th, 1917

Birth Name: William David Conn

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Residence: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Pro-Debut: July 20th, 1934

Alias: Pittsburgh Kid

Division: Light Heavyweight

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 6′ 1½″  

Reach: 72½″  

Bouts: 76

Rounds: 646

Ko’s: 20%

Record: 64-11-1, 15Ko’s

Died: Age 75, May 29th, 1993

Inducted Into Hall of Fame - Class of 1990

World Light Heavyweight Champion

1939 Jul 13 – 1941 Jun 3

Billy Conn – “The Pittsburgh Kid”

William David Conn, better known as Billy Conn, was born on October 8, 1917, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. A celebrated Light-Heavyweight Champion, Conn gained lasting fame for his thrilling encounters with Joe Louis. Over the course of his career, he compiled a professional record of 63 wins, 11 losses, and 1 draw, with 14 victories by knockout. Throughout most of his career, he was affectionately known as “The Pittsburgh Kid.”

Conn made his professional debut on June 28, 1934, losing a four-round decision to Dick Woodard. He earned his first victory less than a month later, knocking out Johnny Lewis in the third round on July 20, 1934.

Before challenging for a world title, Conn built an impressive record of 47–9–1, 7Ko’s, scoring wins over several notable names, including Fritzie Zivic, Solly Krieger, Fred Apostoli, Teddy Yarosz, and Young Corbett III.

On July 13, 1939, Conn faced Melio Bettina at Madison Square Garden, winning a 15-round decision to capture the World Light-Heavyweight Championship. He successfully defended his title against Bettina and twice against Gus Lesnevich, all by 15-round decisions.

During his reign, Conn also triumphed in non-title bouts against top contenders and former champions, including Al McCoy, Bob Pastor, Lee Savold, Gunnar Barlund, and Buddy Knox.

Conn married Mary Louise Smith, the daughter of former MLB player Greenfield “Jimmie” Smith, also from Pittsburgh. Their relationship became local legend—famously including a well-known family dispute in Mount Lebanon. The couple was often photographed vacationing in Avalon, New Jersey, symbolizing one of boxing’s most recognizable romances of the era.

In May 1941, Conn vacated his Light-Heavyweight crown to challenge World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis—attempting the rare feat of winning the heavyweight title without adding significant weight.

On June 18, 1941, Conn and Louis met in one of boxing’s most memorable bouts. Through twelve rounds, Conn held a commanding lead, outboxing the heavier Louis. But in the 13th, trying to score a knockout, Conn was himself caught and stopped.

Afterward, Conn quipped to reporters, “I lost my head—and a million bucks.” When asked why he went for the knockout, he famously replied, “What’s the use of being Irish if you can’t be thick?”

Years later, he joked with Louis, “Why couldn’t you let me hold the title for a year or so?” To which Louis replied, “You had it for twelve rounds and couldn’t hold on to it.”

In 1942, Conn defeated Tony Zale and even sparred with Louis in an exhibition before both men were drafted into the U.S. Army during World War II. Conn didn’t return to the ring until 1946.

Public demand for a rematch with Louis was overwhelming. On June 19, 1946, the two met again at Yankee Stadium in what became the first televised World Heavyweight Championship bout. Though both men showed signs of ring rust from the war years, Louis stopped Conn in the 8th round.

Conn fought two more times, winning both by ninth-round knockout, before officially retiring. His final ring appearance was a 1948 exhibition with Louis in Chicago.

Retirement did little to slow Conn’s fighting spirit. Having appeared in the 1941 film “The Pittsburgh Kid,” he remained a beloved public figure in his hometown.

In 1990, at age 72, Conn made headlines when he intervened in a Pittsburgh convenience store robbery. After the robber struck the store manager, Conn punched back—saying later, “You always go with your best punch—straight left. I think I interrupted his plans.” The robber escaped, but Conn had ripped off his coat, which contained his name and address, leading to a quick arrest. His wife later remarked, “My instinct was to get help—Billy’s instinct was to fight.”

A lifelong friend of Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney, Conn remained a familiar face in sports circles and appeared in several HBO boxing documentaries. He passed away in 1993, aged 75.

In 1995, Conn’s image appeared on the cover of Morrissey’s single “Boxers”, taken from a vintage Ring Magazine photo. He was later inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, joining fellow Pittsburgh legends Joe Louis and Fritzie Zivic.

Notes In Popular Culture

Mentioned in the 2006 film “The Black Dahlia.”

Honored with Billy Conn Boulevard, a section of North Craig Street in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood.

Referenced in “On the Waterfront”—Rod Steiger tells Marlon Brando, “You could have been another Billy Conn.”

Mentioned in “The Fortune Cookie” (1967), when a character recalls his father once going rounds with Billy Conn.

October 8th  

1818: Two English boxers are first to use padded gloves.

1917: Billy Conn was born Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1923: Maxie Rosenbloom age 17 debuts W6 Nick Scanlon

1934: Fred Apostoli age 21 pro-debut KO3 Gilbert Attell

1974: Oscar Albarado KO7 Ryu Sorimachi

1975: Rodolfo Martinez W15 Hisami Numata

1976: Miguel Castellini W15 Jose Duran

1984: Sot Chitalada W12 Gabriel Bernal

1989: In Chul Baek KO11 Ronnie Essett

1994: Henry Maske KO9 Iran Barkley

1999: Laila Ali, 21, the daughter of Muhammad Ali, pro-debut April Fowler

2001: Raul Balbi W12 Julien Lorcy

2005: Jose Luis Castillo KO4 Diego Corrales

Jorge Arce KO2 Hussein Hussein

2010: Pongsaklek Wonjongkam W12 Suriyan Kaikanha

2011: Donnie Nietes W12 Ramon Garcia Hirales

Yesica Patricia Marcos RTD4 Simone Aparecida Da Silva

Rodrigo Guerrero WTD6 Raul Martinez

Ana Maria Torres W10 Marisa Joana Portillo

Irma Sanchez W10 Susana Cruz Perez

2013: Srisaket Sor Rungvisai KO2 Petch Pitigym

2014: Jermain Taylor W12 Sam Soliman

2016: Jelena Mrdjenovich WSD10 Gaelle Amand

Liam Walsh W12 Andrey Klinov

2022: Sebastian Fundora W12 Carlos Ocampo

Carlos Adames TKO3 Juan Macias Montiel

Fernando Martinez W12 Jerwin Ancajas