Evening star., 1940-08-15
The
.SPoRTLIGH7
Time Is Not Yet for Joe
ToLose Efficiency
BY GRANTLAND RICE, ..
Rnecial Correspoudent Of The Star,

6peclaI Correspondent OF 1ue cta1.
NEW YORK, Aug. IS (NAJIA).-
The postponement Of the Conn
Pastor affair until September S
brings up the matter as to why
these two estimable young boxers
think Joe Louis Is slipping.
There isn't any question that
Billy Conn believes he can whip
Louis. There is little question that
Conn and his manager, Johnny
Ray, think the Bomber has lost q
lot Of stuff along the wayside. We
look at this angle with different
eyes.
Some years ago Louis was fight
ing around 201 or 202 pounds. Be-
ing q hearty eater and a sound
sleeper, the tip was out that in
two or three years he would be
just another fat man-probably
up around 2l5 or 220 pounds.
But when Louis met Godoy in
his last fight few weeks ago Joe
entered the ring under 200 pounds,
lighter and thinner than he was
four years ago.
Stotisties Reveal Louis
Should Be at His Peck
Here is another angle. In the
matter of years Louis now is in his
prime-just about his peak. In the
way of experience and physical fit
ness he has just about come to the
most effective spot.
recall digging up statistics some
years ago on the age when athletes
reach the top. The average was 26
years. Corbett was rs when he
fought Sullivan. Ty Cobb was 26
when he had his best season. Chris
ty Mathewson at 26 was the pitch
ing ideal. Twenty-six proved to be
the high-mark year, since it COM
bined both youth and experience.
Louis is right in that neighbor-
hood. If he has slipped to any
extent lot of us need a new set
OF binoculars or telescopes.
1t has been long time since any
fight crowd was puzzled as badly
about naming a winner as most of
the experts are in naming Conn or
Pastor on top. Those picking Conn
admit they are guessing. At least
most of them do. The same goes
for those picking Pastor.
II like Conn.," one of the sounder
soothsayers told me. But if you
like Pastor I'm not going to argue
with you. Because don't like Conn
epo1Icb RI arp,,e about II
This seems to be the general
feeling. 1t recalls the old days
around New York when such Box
ers as Jimmy Slattery, Jack De-
laney and others were tossing
leather here and there. They were
better punchers than either Conn
or Pastor. But no better matched.
Conn-Postor Serop Made
To Order for Argument
Conn and Pastor should put on
the type of show that is loaded with
later arguments. There is sure to
be violent disagreements over many
rounds. There always Is when two
good boxers meet.
There is a certain authority Lead
ing to an easy verdict when a hard
hitter begins landing. This is easy
enough to see and follow.
1t is something else when two
fast men begin piling up points
without inflicting any heavy pnysi-
cal damage. Here the guessing
opens on broad scale.
This brings up another argument.
Which should count for more
three light taps or jabs or one
good, solid punch that hurts?
It always has been my opinion
that the fellow who did the most
damage won the fight. I'd rather
be the entry who inflicted the
greater punishment, no matter how
the judges might rule.
The comparative conditions ,of the
two men at the finish should tell
the major part Of the story and
unfold most of the plot.
Moving back to the case Of Joe
Louis again. No one has been able
to figure out yet whether a hard
puncher or a good boxer might
have the better chance against him.
It Is my guess that a combination
Of both will be needed.
Tunney Was Harder Hitter
Thon Mony Fons Think
There are those who tell you the
Bomber has lost some Of his speed.
I can't see it. He never had flashy
foot speed to bank on, and he can
still throw right or left fast
enough to count. Louis has two of
the fastest hands I've ever seen in
any ring. When he really starts
lashing you are looking at a cats
claws. Billy Conn is just as fast,
but he lacks the nitroglycerine i'm
bedded In the two Louis fists.
They'll tell you that Conn can
punch as well as Gene Tunney
could. I doubt this.
Tlnney as a heavyweight was a
harder hitter than most people
believe. You can talk to Jack
Dempsey about this. Tunney had
a body uppercut that Jared and
hurt. He had a head punch that
Jared and cut.
II Tunney had been a light
puncher Jack Dempsey never would
have turned down that $700, 900 offer
for a third fight. He knew more
about Tunney's punching qualities
than any one else.