The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-09-26
CONN 'EYES' LAST CHANGE WITH LOUIS
(Reg. U. 8. Pat. of)
 By OSCAR FRALEY Praaa amOrka WrltoP

United Press Sports Writer
 New York, Sept, 26-(UPl-Corp, Billy Conn steps out of khaki today to start up the long road back to- ward Q four-year date with destiny
 Pittsburgh Billy gets his discharge papers ct Camp Lee, Vap and on. nounced that within month he would be back in the ring-waiting anXiously for the discharge Of Q certain other soldier. That. Of course, would be Sgt, Joe Louis, who Is expected to be returned to civilian life soon.
 But the Conn who is waiting Tor Sgt, Joe is Q different one than the slim, rapier-like youngster who came so close to lifting the worlds heavyweight crown back in leAl. This Conn has more weight to power his punches, and Q bit more savvy than the impetuous Irish kid who tried to turn Celtic clouter when Q three-round waltz would have made him king of the boxing world,
 He came nightly close that June night four years ago In the Polo Grounds. The young challenger had 0 definite edge when the bell changed for the 18th round-hut he was Irish. And having that heri- tage, young Billy wanted to finish the thing aS an 1rishman would want to. That's where the roof fell in, for even that Gaelic gallantry wasn't enough to stand toe to toe against Joltin' Joe.
 So Billy wound up on his bat- tered left side, trying to make Irish legs answer on Irish brain. But the Irish brain which had tossed away title couldn't make those Irish legs obey.
 Was Sure of Title
 T just couldn't stay out of there, !" Conn said after the 18th round knockout which ruined his dreams, T had to 90 in and fight. That's the way I am, even though I'm sure aS 1t was going had the title won. But remember this--1ll fight him again"
 That was more than four years ago and Bill still hasn't got his wish. A bigger battle became the main event and the next year both Louis and Conn were in the Army. They gave boxing exhibitions all over the world for their fellow sol. diers and now Conn Is out and Louis is on his way.
 A lot has happened to them in that fouF-year interval. Both are older and heavier, but Pittsburgh Billy is certain that 1t Is he, and not the Brown Bomber, who has learned the most.
 i've seen c lot Of different styles and I've kept in pretty good trim," Conn explained. T also think I'm 0 smarter fighter and I haven't lost my speed. Being smarter B what is going to make me tougher against Joe"
 There are lot of heavyweights waiting around for Billy tho Kid 10 go back into action. He and Joe will start another bum.of -the- month club as they tune up for e summer bout which will bring back the million dollar gates. Meanwhile, 1t should be possible to judge how much time has changed them, for Louis now js 2 slowing 3i and Conn B c heavier 20. He weighed . padded i74 the last time, % l.2 pounds less than Louis. and now tips the beam at 0 pretty weli.conditioned 100 against Joe's 2o6.
 Conn remembers, of course, that nobody ever got past Louis the sec- ond time. Such men as Max echmeling, Arturo 0odoy, Bob Pas. tor and Natie Brown all tried Q sec- ond shot only to wind up waking up But Billy has lost enough of that Irish to be cautious and kepi enough to be cocky and confident.
 Just how much Is left may well decide the issue.