The Wilmington morning star., 1945-10-16
SITE AND DATE
STILL UNNAMED
Champion To Fight Billy
Conn "Or Any Suitable
Opponent"
BY JACK CUDDY
nited Press Sports Writer

NEW YORK, Oct. 15-WD-Midst
flashing bulbs and busy telephones,
the biggest publicity campaign in
prizefight history was launched of.
ficially today as heavyweight
champion Joe Louis signed cere.
moniously to defend his crown in
I the rings richest fight next June
Louis-dapper in tan gaberdine
topcoat, green sweater and green
shirt, and sporting a wee mus
tachio-signed at goth Century
headquarters to defend his title
against Billy Conn or "any suit.
able opponent to be designated
by promoter Mike Jacobs.
The kicker" clause about any
suitable opponent was inserted to
whip Conn of Pittsburgh. into line
when Billy-the-Kid goes into hud-
die with Jacobs on Wednesday or
Thursday about dividing receipts
of the classic-receipts that Jacobs
estimates may range between
$4,000, 900 and $4,000, 900. Conn is
expected to sign Immediately after
this conference.
Louis signed alone-probably the
first prominent fighter since the
days of Jim Figg to affix his sigma
ture to such an important con-
tract without the protective pre-
sence of a manager. Neither OF
the Brown Bomber's previous CO.
pilots, John Roxborough and JUL
an Black, were present. Only Man.
ny Seaman, Joe's trainer. was on
hand. When questioned about the
absence of his managers, Louis
evaded by talking golf.
The exact site and date for the
heavyweight extravaganza were
not specified in the contract,
which stated that they would be
by Jacobs "at least 40
days prior to the scheduled event.
The date is expected to be about
June rs. Louis said he would pre-
fer to fight in Detroit, his home
city; but Jacobs emphasized there
were many factors to be consider
ed before selecting the site-seat-
ing capacity of the stadium, tele-
vision prospects, movie and radio
angles.
With tickets for the big fight
selling at 500 tops, Jacobs expects
the gate alone to approximate
So, 900, 900. The addition of receipts
from radio, movies and television
NAV boost the total take between
81 900, 900 and $10,000,O00. Nothing
ever Appropriated this in previous
boxing history-not even the two
Jack Dempsey-Gene Tunney clas-
sizes.
An important clause in the cham
pions contract prevents Louis
from engaging in any boxing match
Or exhibition before the Conn fight.
the written consent of
Jacobs.
In connection with this clause,
Jacobs declared: Louis will have
no tune-up for this bout. Whether
he has any exhibitions will be de-
termined later. But there will be
no tune-up. And, since
Louis will put his title on the line
preparatory fight,
shall expect Conn to enter the ring
in June without tune-up. ina
CINE I'll have trouble with Conn
and his handlers when we confer
or Thursday. under
stand they want couple of tune
ups"
Louis said he weighed 219 pounds
and that he expected to scale about
205 for Conn. He plans to entrain
tomorrow for Los Angeles, stop.
ping off briefly at Chicago. He will
relax in the California sunshine,
playing plenty of golf. Unless other
arrangements are made, he will
remain in Los Angeles until Janu.
airy. Then he may make brief
tour of the United
States, or of Europe. He will be-
gin training in March for he June
bout.
Louis, 81, received his honor
able discharge from the Army al
Camp Shanks, N. Y, on Oct. l,
after "A months in service. He then
attended the World Series at De-
troit and Chicago.
Jacobs commenting upon to-
days ceremony, said, Il would
have signed Louis earlier for this
fight-it's so important; but !
couldn't because he was in the
army; and Conn too
A reporter asked Jacobs if Conn's
contract w lld stipulate that Billy
must give Louis a return shot at
the title if Conn takes the crown
in June.
'It certainly will contain such
provision" Jacobs replied, "wheth-
er Conn wants it or not
n ., r.