The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-06-18
CHAMPION MAY BE 5-1 CHOICE
 WHEN BELL HITS
Marriage Plans of Conn Creep Into Pre.Fight
 Reports
By JACK CUDDY

United Press Stan Correspondentl
 New York, June l8.-(Up)-With three supreme Inducements tossed into the kitty-glory, gold e o girl-Trish Billy Conn makes an ale out attempt tonight to win the world heavyweight championship from mighty Joe Louis.
 Romance was added to this Polo Grounds drama of blood and canvas with Q last-fninute Pittsburgh an- Ilouncement that the father of Billy's tlance, Mary Louise Smith, was objecting vehemently to theiI marriage plans.
 Handsome Billy politely refused to discuss the affair, but a member of his entourage said: Regardless of the Pittsburgh story, those parental objects will end quickly If Billy wins the title-which he surely will"
 Betting men were not so confident of this happy ending. The price fa- voring Louis heightened to Al, with indications that 1t might be 6-l when the hard-hitting Detroit negro and smaller Conn enter the ring for their 15-round battle.
 While Louis drove in from his Greenwood Lake camp for the weigh-in ceremonies, fans arrived from oil sectionS-particularly from Conns home city, Pittsburgh, which sent four special trains, several chartered planes and 0 caravan of autos, Conn'S headquarters swarm cd with the Pennsylvania fight mob. Even Gov. Arthur IT. James and his party arranged for ringside seats, as ddd New York's governor, Her. bert Lehman
 Small Army of Writers
 Because this shapes up as the most important heavyweight en- counter in three years, celebrities will stud tho ringside sections and the brawl will be covered by record-shattering brigade of more than 700 sports writers.
 Despite the betting odds, 1t is ex. tremely uncertain what will hap pen after Billy-the-Kid and the negro monarch climb Into the square of brilliant light The bout may end In the first round with Conn in the resin, Or 1t may develop into memorable brawl that will Eo down In history with the Dempsey Firpo battle which was staged In this same park in 1923.
 Many experts regard 1t an ale important test of Louis greatness. The Brown Bomber has proved himself the most destructive of heavyweight champions by virtue of his 45 knockouts In 63 fights, Q bet- ter showing even that Jack Demp- sey's ~ in 60. But many observers still question the negro's footwork and his ability to think quickly against fast, smart opponent. He may get Q test of physical and rnen- tal speed tonight
 Shy on Punch and Pounds
 Conn, who seeks to duplicate the achievement of two old-time small" Irish warriors-Jim Corbett and Bob Fitzs4mmons--unquestionably is the fastest man Bomber Joe ever faced. He Is also the cleverest and perhaps the most courageous. This 23-year- old challenger, who fought up from PittSburgh's streets to the light heavyweight title, loves to fight. His yen for battle may prove dtSastroua tonight If he comes tearing In Wild- ly after being tagged. However, Billy can take Q good punch. His neck Is larger than the champions. He never has been knocked out, Moreover, he has the stamina of a marathon runner. A slow starter he usually doesn't get warmed up thoroughly until after the fifth round. Tn addition to starting slow ly his other disadvantages are lack of punch and lack of poundage.