Billy Conn - The Pittsburgh Kid [Paperback]

Paul Kennedy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 7, 2007

There has never been a fighter like Billy Conn. Handsome as a movie star and tough as a junkyard dog, Conn threw combinations with the beauty and speed of later masters Sugar Ray Robinson and Muhammad Ali. The kid from the East Liberty section of Pittsburgh began boxing professionally at age 16, as his manager Johnny Ray fed him older, more experienced pros in a "baptism of fire." Conn developed quickly. At age 19 and 20 he defeated most of the world's best middleweights, a division rich with talent. Still growing, by age 21 he won the world light-heavyweight title. After dominating that division, he sought greater challenge in the heavyweight division. He beat three of the best heavyweights, one by knockout and two by easy decision. Only one challenge remained - the great heavyweight champion Joe Louis. Their first fight remains one of boxing's all-time classics, ranked by some as the greatest fight ever. Conn's story transcends boxing. He pursued and eloped with the love of his life, the beautiful Mary Louise Smith, despite her father's vehement and public opposition. Conn and his father-in-law tangled in a chaotic brawl at a lavish christening party at the Smith home. Billy starred in a Hollywood movie, The Pittsburgh Kid, and developed friendships with big stars like Bob Hope, Robert Taylor, and Frank Sinatra. Through all the glamour Billy remained the unpretentious "kid" from gritty Pittsburgh, the city he loved. He became an icon of that city, of the downtrodden Depression-era working class, and of the American Irish. Conn's place in boxing and American folk history has been neglected and forgotten in recent decades. His story of a poor kid with talent and spirit who went for it all is one worth reading.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: AuthorHouse (March 7, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1425973442
• ISBN-13: 978-1425973445
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pittsburgh Kid is a Knockout, July 8, 2007

By 

M Howard Dowling (Pittsburgh PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Billy Conn - The Pittsburgh Kid (Paperback)

It's about time that someone wrote a biography of Billy Conn, one of the best boxers in the sport's history and an American original. This marvelously entertaining book brings Conn to life and allows the reader to feel like he is right at ringside. Kennedy obviously possesses substantial knowledge of boxing and an appreciation for the effort involved in becoming a champion of the sport.
The books recounts many of Conn's bouts in vivid, almost breathless detail. Kennedy builds steam as he takes you through chapters called "rounds," culminating in the classic match, Conn versus Joe Louis for the World Heavyweight title.
Kennedy writes with humor, respect and an obvious affection for Conn, filling the book with telling anecdotes that reveal Conn's character and legendary Irish charm. He shows the reader both the boxer and the private man, who, despite his tough, aggressive boxing style was also an artist, family man and clearly a romantic. The colorful story of Conn's lifelong devotion to his wife, Mary Lou, is woven throughout the book, and humanizes Conn.
An added feature is Kennedy's attention to the setting and the era. He ties Conn's advancement in boxing to current events of that time, giving the reader a much appreciated context.
I highly recommend this book. Conn has been neglected and his story is well worth reading, whether you are a general sports fan or a boxing fan. For boxing enthusiasts, it's really a must read. Some older readers might also enjoy the nostalgia that Kennedy evokes by his descriptions of life in America in the Depression and World War II eras. A final bonus - it's also a terrific history of that great sports city, Pittsburgh.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Lacking insight, July 3, 2007

By 

Robert Ungurean (phila pa.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Billy Conn - The Pittsburgh Kid (Paperback)

This book is great IF your only interested in detailed descriptions of Conn's fights. Unfortunatly the auther gives us almost nothing on the Conn out of the ring.Considering the Conn family gave there support I expected alot more than the 98% of this book that is fight blow by blow accounts.
Im hopeing Sweet William due out in Nov. will be much more informative.
Save your money and find a copy of the 85 sports illustrated with the story called The boxer & the blond and you'll find out alot more about Mr. Conn than in this whole book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Billy Conn- The Pittsburgh Kid, March 25, 2010

By 

Donald Stover - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Billy Conn - The Pittsburgh Kid (Paperback)

Very good and well written biography about one of boxings greatest fighters. The author gives us great insight on Conn's personal and professional career, and shows us that Conn was born to fight. The minor problem I had with the reading was that the author gives us a little too much blow-by-blow for most of Billy's contest. I was trying to figure-out how the author got so much detail as there are few films of Conn in action, perhaps newspaper blow-by-blow accounts from local papers during those years ? But as I said, minor concern. Terrific book, if you're a boxing fan and like to read, this one's well worth the cost.