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Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn fight...



Item # 585063

June 20, 1946

THE TOPEKA DAILY CAPITAL, Topeka, Kansas, June 20, 1946 

* Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn 
* Heavyweight boxing championship bout
 

This 14 page newspaper has two column headlines on the front page that include: "Bomber KO's Conn in Eighth" and more with photo of Louis (see photos). More information in the sport's section with another photo and round by round coverage. This is a 1st report coverage on the heavyweight boxing championship fight between Joe Louis and Billy Conn.

Other news, sports and advertisements of the day. Some spine wear, otherwise good.

wikipedia notes: In 1942, Conn beat Tony Zale and had an exhibition with Louis. World War II was at one of its most important moments, however, and both Conn and Louis were called to serve in the Army. Conn went to war and was away from the ring until 1946.

By then, the public was clamoring for a rematch between him and the still world Heavyweight champion Louis. This happened, and on June 19, 1946, Conn returned into the ring, straight into a world Heavyweight championship bout. Before that fight, it was suggested to Louis that Conn might outpoint him because of his hand and foot speed. In a line that would be long-remembered, Louis replied: "He can run, but he can't hide." The fight, at Yankee Stadium, was the first televised world Heavyweight championship bout ever, and 146,000 people watched it on TV, also setting a record for the most seen world Heavyweight bout in history. Most people who saw it agreed that both Conn and Louis' abilities had eroded with their time spent serving in the armed forces, but Louis was able to retain the crown by a knockout in round eight.

Category: The 20th Century