The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-12-24
LOUIS DOMINANT ! BOXING FIGURE
 OF F MONTHS
Defended Title ' Times |; Conn Provided Biggest Thrill
By JACK CUDDY

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 United Press Stan coErespOndsnt)
 New York, Dec. 24-(UP)--By wire tue of his rscord-breaking title dee lenses --seven of them--Joe Louis again dominated boxing during lo4l, a year that provided four other note- worthy features:
 (i) Clariheation of disputes in the light heavy, Eniddieweight end light. weight divisions; (O Blossoming of lively competition in the welter class; (O Pugilisni's haste to help Uncle Sam, and (4) Bonanza crowds attracted by Mike JacobS' far.fiung promotions.
 Legendary Louis belted out six of his seven challengerg, and the other, Buddy Baer, was disqualified when lis seconds failed to leave the helps less giant in his corner when the bell rang for the seventh round.
 Jolting Joe's march through the "bunl of .the-month" club brought his record total Of defenses to 10; booscted his knockout total to 47 and his ring earnings to approximately 92,i0O, 900.
 Despite the Detroit Negro's dom- finance, his near defeat by Billy Conn ct the Polo Grounds, June iS, pro- vlded the rings most electrifying moments during ID4i. Conn, out. weighed 2Oh pounds, had the title almost in his grasp, gwarTning over the befuddied and staggering cham- pion in the l2th round, but brilliant Billy'S eagerness for kayo brought his undoing in the 18th. lie left fatal opening; Louis landed with Q smashing right and then battered him to the canvas for the i0.count. 1
 Bomber Joe's other victims were Red Burman (6); Gus DoFaNo (2) Abe Simon (iO: Tony Musto te) Buddy Baer @: and Lou Nova (6). Big Buddy Baer brought thrills to the fight world by knocking Louis through tho ropes to the ring aprcf1 in the first round, much to Buddy's later regret.
 Progressive
 Election Of canny Abe Green as president Of the National Boxing aS- sociation gave that organization at least 0 chieS who had confidence in NBA champions on q c man who wanted title disputes cleared lip. Hence he coOperated readily with Mike Jacobs, the New York coEiiYniBs slonB fairshaired promoter, in clars flying three divisional crowns.
 After Billy Conn gave up the light heavy dladen1 for Q shot At Louis, 6 dispute developed that resulted ul. tlnately In Gus Lesnevich, the NBA claimant, becoming iindiSputed king of the iTbspotinders by trounclng the New York claimant, Tafni MauFiello. Similarly NBA champs became sole rulers in the middieweight and light weight divisions, when Tony Zale Waiioped deorgie Abrams, and Sam my Angott trounced "Looney Lew" Jenkins.
 Biggest upset of the year came July 90, when Freddie Red" Coch- l rane, Q virtually unknown welter from Elizabeth, V. J., wrested the l47-pould crown from y'ritze zivlc ct Newark. Moving Into i042, this division b blessed with more talent than any other class. 1t has Coch. rane, sensational young Ray Robins son; Young Kid Mccoy, MaFto Servo, Bob Montgomery, and the still dan. gerotS zivic.
 The feetherwelght title still Is in dispute, with Chalky Wright Of Los Angeles recognized ag champion by the New York commission, and Pittas bargh Jackie Wilson hailed by the NBA, by virtue Of two victories over Richie Lemos. Lou galica of New York still holds the bantam title, after three successful defenseg. In the hywOlght division, the NBA champ is Little Dado of the Philip pines; the New York commission recognizes no ii2.pouid king, and the British Boxing Union upholdS Jackie Patterson of England.
 Joe WiM Melp
 Many boxers joined the colors, most going into the navy ag athletic instructors under Laeut. Commander Gene Tunney. These included Coch. TaTle, Conn, Fred hpoBt0il and Marty Servo. Meanwhile, Louis, Ye-classl- fled ag IA isl the draft, expects to De called fIloffsentaTily after his ap. preaching return defense against Buddy BaeT ct the Garden January e-a bout for the benefit of the navy relief. Even # drafted, he probably viii Dc given suFloughg for army benz eft flghct1 against Conn, and two prominent conteiderg, Melio Dettina and Lem Franklin,
 Not since the hey.day of Tex nickerd has any promoter attracted the number of fans in one year as Mike Jacobs did in io4i-a total of 6eO,400 for % 0ardne bouts, three ifl New York bali parks and ii out of the city. However, Jacobs set no gate records because ticket prices