Known as “The Pittsburgh Kid,” heavyweight boxer Billy Conn fought Joe Louis 75 years ago almost beating the heavyweight champion. However, after 13 rounds of boxing and a swift change of speed by Louis, who outweighed Conn by 30 pounds, Conn was knocked out.
An estimated 55,000 people showed up to watch the fight held in New York City. A number of Pittsburghers were in attendance to support the fighter representing their hometown.
Back in Pittsburgh, the baseball game between the Pirates and the New York Giants was temporarily stopped so sports fans at the game would not have to miss the fight.
“This is the only time in the history of major league baseball that play was stopped to listen to another sporting event. That’s how big it was,” said Billy Conn’s son Tim.
Tim Conn admits to having watched the fight hundreds of times and admits his father had boxing dreams for the city.
“He wanted to bring the heavyweight title to Pittsburgh. I don’t think there’d been a heavyweight title holder from Pittsburgh.”
Billy Conn grew up and learned to box in East Liberty. His desire to box was fueled in part by his desire not to work in a steel mill
“He said that scared him so much when he saw this mill. He said there must be a better way to make a living,” said Tim Conn.
In an article commemorating “The Pittsburgh Kid’s” most famous fight, Post-Gazette sportswriter Gene Collier wrote, “75 Years ago Billy Conn lost a fight to Joe Louis. But he won…”.
Tim Conn echoes the sentiment, “It was the way he lost that he won. He won his bride, too.”
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