An Irish working-class hero of Pittsburgh, Billy Conn captured hearts through his ebullient personality, stellar boxing record, and good looks. A light heavyweight boxing champion best remembered for his sensational near-defeat of heavyweight champion Joe Louis in 1941, Conn is still regarded as one of the greatest fighters of all time. Andrew O'Toole chronicles the boxing, Hollywood, and army careers of "the Pittsburgh Kid" by drawing from newspaper accounts, Billy's personal scrapbooks, and fascinating interviews with family. Presenting an intimate look at the champion's relationships with his girlfriend, manager, and rivals, O'Toole compellingly captures the personal life of a public icon and the pageantry of sports during the 1930s and '40s.

- 376 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
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Print ISBN
9780252077456
9780252032240
Table of contents
- Cover Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- 1. This Is Easy
- 2. A Kiss from Heaven
- 3. I Can Lick Anyone Johnny Ray Tells Me I Can Lick
- 4. Like a Thief He Kept Running
- 5. A Fistic Star Is Born
- 6. Gone to the Fight
- 7. Fighting Is My Business
- 8. Toast of the Town
- 9. That Conn Boy Talks Too Much
- 10. Reckless Son of Erin
- 11. Where’s Billy?
- 12. I’m Afraid of No Man Living
- 13. Mickey Rooney’s a Sissy
- 14. He Can Run …
- 15. Old Scores to Settle
- 16. “You Only Get One Chance”
- Notes
- Bibliography
- Index