Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn (2nd meeting)

**Challenger rankings**
Org.	Pos.	As of	Published
1+ Mth. Old
NBA	1	19.07.1945	19.07.1945
Ring	N/A	N/A	N/A
2+ Mth. Old
NBA	1	19.07.1945	19.07.1945
Ring	N/A	N/A	N/A
3+ Mth. Old
NBA	1	19.07.1945	19.07.1945
Ring	N/A	N/A	N/A

Louis throws a right at Conn

Program Cover

Notes

Except for exhibitions, neither Louis nor Conn had fought in more than four years due to their military service during World War II.
When the National Boxing Association announced its quarterly rankings on July 19, it also stated that "Conn has proven beyond a doubt he rates that spot and will have first choice when another title bout can be arranged"[1], while its president Abe Greene predicted that two champions would return to the ring before the end of the year (Joe Louis, Gus Lesnevich and Tony Zale were the only champions kept out of the ring by military service).[2]
Columinst Art Lea Mond wrote on August 15 that Louis was expected to defend his title against Conn "probably next June, latest in September, 1946."[3]
On August 17, both Conn's manager Johnny Ray and Louis' promoter Mike Jacobs confirmed that the rematch between Louis and Conn was on and tentatively scheduled for June 1946.[4]
Both Louis and Conn were featured in separate exhibition bouts on a boxing show at Forbes Field on September 19, presumably to drum up interest to the matchup.[5][6][7]
Louis signed the contract on October 15, 1945.[8]
After initial concerns that Conn would not receive any money from television rights, Conn eventually put his signature on the contract on October 19.[9][10]
A special clause was added to the contract which prohibited both fighters from having any fights in the interim.[11]

Before entering military service, Conn was ranked No. 1 contender by the National Boxing Association. Though the division wasn't inactive during the war - for example, top rated contenders Melio Bettina and Jimmy Bivins had 13 and 26 fights, respectively, between 1942 and 1945 - Conn remained rated No. 1 this entire time.

Louis vs. Conn II was the first world heavyweight title fight broadcast on television. It was shown on NBC.
Louis was a 3½ to 1 favorite.
There was a crowd of 45,266, and the gross gate was $1,925,504.
Louis made $577,700, and Conn got $289,000.
Before the fight, Louis said, "He can run, but he can't hide."
Referee Eddie Joseph officiated both Louis-Conn fights.
Unlike the first fight, which was one of the greatest title fights ever, the rematch was dull. Conn moved and boxed, while Louis pursued. In the eighth round, Louis staggered Conn with a right cross. He followed up with a right uppercut and a left hook that put Conn down for the count.

Conn, very disappointed by his performance, announced his retirement after the fight, but he soon changed his mind. In September 1946, Conn said he wanted a third fight with Louis and would give his purse to charity. Conn fought two more times. He scored two knockout victories in November 1948 and then retired for good.
Conn's performance against Louis was named "Flop of the Year" in the Associated Press' annual year-end poll. Boston Red Sox baseball player Ted Williams was in second place due to his weak hitting against the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, and The Red Sox and the New York Yankees tied for third.

Preceded by: Louis vs. Simon II	NBA Heavyweight Title Fight # 35	Succeeded by: Louis vs. Mauriello
Preceded by: Louis vs. Davis	NYSAC Heavyweight Title Fight # 34	Succeeded by: Louis vs. Mauriello