Ed Gruver - Joe Louis vs. Billy Conn: Boxings Unforgettable Summer of 1941

Any work of this size is never accomplished alone. I thank my wife, Michelle, my children Patty and Katie, and all the members of my family for their love and support. I am blessed to be a part of their lives.

Niels Aaboe of Lyons Press supported this project from the start, and his hard work helped bring to these pages the first full-length telling of one of the greatest championship fights in boxings long history. Im extremely grateful to Meredith Dias and all those at Lyons Press who played a part in taking this book from an idea to the finished product.

This book could not have been completed without the invaluable insight provided by Tim Conn, Billys oldest son, and Joe Louis Barrow Jr. Both men provided candid, behind-the-scenes looks at their famous fathers and their most famous fight.

Tim graciously agreed to write the foreword for this book and was extremely helpful in supplying background information in the many discussions and email exchanges shared throughout the writing, research, and editing phases.

Joe Louis Barrow Jr. was very helpful in sharing insight into his father and into Billy Conn as well, and how he became friends with Billy and the Conn family and spent time with them in their Pittsburgh home.

The personal recollections of Tim and Joe helped paint a complete picture of their fathers, who rank as arguably the greatest light heavyweight and heavyweight champions, respectively, of all time.

I thank boxing historians William Detloff and Douglas Cavanaugh for taking time to share their tremendous insight with me. They are respected ring experts and authors, and their extensive knowledge helped place Joe Louis, Billy Conn, and their classic 1941 championship fight in historical perspective.

As a Pittsburgh boxing historian, Cavanaugh provided additional insight into the life and times of Billy Conn, the Pittsburgh Kid, and the state of boxing in the Steel City during Billys rise to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s.

To all of the above, and to many more, I offer my humble thanks and appreciation.

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