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When boxing entered World War II, many of our great champions and ex - champions would match up against a very different type of opponent. The war almost stopped boxing in is tracks, as titles were frozen until after the war. Nat Fleischer, owner and editor of Ring Magazine, stated he would not rank any interim champions. This was a controversial decision, but Nat Fleischer, the ambassador of boxing, and Ring Magazine won the fight.
The 1941 heavyweight title fight against Joe Louis and Billy Conn may have been the main reason Fleischer blocked out top contenders from competing as interim champs. All the big money talk during the war was the rematch fight between Louis and Conn. If an interim champ had been in place, they would have the right to challenge the returning champion. The boxing world wanted the Louis - Conn rematch and the large gate it would generate. Unfortunately the return of our great champions found them past their prime. With all the build - up and anticipation, the Louis - Conn rematch could not equal the efforts of their first historic fight.
Boxing continued to remain very popular during the war. It was unfortunate top contenders never had an opportunity for a title fight. Time would erode their prime, removing them from contention. After the post war boxing boom, a new group of young fighters emerged, replacing our war time hero’s. Who knows what direction the boxing world would have gone if not for World War II.
Larry C. Burton
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