Evening star., 1942-09-26
Louis and Conn Offer
To Stage Army Relief
Fight for Nothing
Stimson Expected to
Stund by Order Bonning
Heavyweight Battle

War Department officials prom
ised today that consideration would
be given the offer of Joe Louis and
Billy Conn to go through with their
heavyweight title fight without pay.
Little optimism was apparent, how
ever, that Secretary of War Slim
son was likely to alter his decision
canceling the proposed October IL
fight with the explanation that it
would conflict with "the standards
and interests OF the Army"
The latest proposal to fight entire
ly for the benefit of the Army re-
lief fund must be in written form
before being submitted to Mr.. Stim-
son for decision.
Offer to Forego Pay.
Louis, Conn and Promoter Mike
Jacobs said last night they were
willing to waive the original arrange
ment to deduct $135,451 from the
gate to meet the fighters obliga tions,
largely to Mr.. Jacobs.
Both Sergt. Louis and Corpl. Conn
believed it was "a shame" that the
$500, 900 worth Of tickets already
sold would have to be turned back
instead Of going to Army Emer-
gency Relief"
Mr.. Jacobs, who had been request
ed by the War Department to pro-
mote the fight originally, immedi-
ately added that If permission were
received under the offer of the fight
ers, he would even be willing to
bank roll" the fight, which is
something no one has done up to
now" Earlier Mr.. Jacobs had ex-
planned that War Boxing, Inc, the
organization the War Department
had named to put on the bout, was
supposed to have financed the show
for $4,000, but that had never been
done, and that he had paid $4,000
in promotional and ticket expenses
for the organization.
Mr.. Stimson's cancellation of the
fight followed several hours of con-
ferences with Maj. Gen. A. D. Surles.
head Of the Army's public relations,
and various members of War Box
ing, Inc. One of the "details" was
the $l35, ,451.53 which the War De-
partment had promised the fighters
were to get to pay their debts. This
total had been broken down this
way: $59,80550 owed by Louis to
Mr.. Jacobs; s34,500 owed by Conn to
Mr.. Jacobs; SAL ,146.03 owed by Louis
to John Roxborough, one of his CO.
managers.
NO Reflection on Principals"
The Secretary did not say lust
what there was about the arrange
ments that did not meet with the
Army's standards and interests, 4"
nor did he explain just which details
had shocked him and caused him to
start his investigation. He did point
out, however, that there was no
reflection on the principals" in the
fight, that he appreciated the fact
that Louis gave to war relief his
entire purses in his fights earlier
this year with Abe Simon and
Buddy Baer, and that members of
War Boxing, Inc, had "given their
devoted and patriotic services" in
the matter.
Mr.. Stimson also ordered the two
fighters to return at once to their
military duties" Louis had come
from the Cavalry base at Fort Riley,
kans., for the fight and Conn had
been stationed at Fort Wadsworth.
Staten Island, New York.
Conn and Louis made their offers
to fight "for free" after breaking
their training camps at Rumson. N
j., and Greenwood Lake, N. Y. re.
spectively, and returning to New
York. Mr.. Jacobs only stipulation
was that he be permitted to fulfil
his contractural obligations to Mu.
tual Broadcasting System, which
has exclusive rights to broadcast al
the fights he promotes. One of thu
major controversies concerning tn,
light had to do with competitive
bids by radio chains to broadcas
the fight
Conn Primed for Victory.
Mr.. Jacobs said, however, that tn,
night was off probably for the du
ration"
Both of the boxers were 'terribl,
disappointed" but each said, well
the big job now is to win the war;
"Therell be time enough after
ward for boxing" Conn added. "Bu
this Is just my luck. I'm convinced
I could have beaten Joe"
Its a shame Army Relief an,
the families Of soldiers won't be abl
to benefit by all that money" Jo
said. But I enlisted to be a soldie,
so whatever the Army says is Okla,
with me-"