Yesterday was a special day for hardcore fight fans as we mark the birth anniversary of one of boxing’s rarest champions, the greatest featherweight of all time and a true ring original, Willie Pep. And although Pep passed into the great square circle in the sky in 2006, he will never be forgotten and we are happy to take any excuse to pay tribute to his extraordinary skills and record in the ring. When Guglielmo Papaleo finally retired in 1960, he had racked up an incredible 229 wins against just eleven losses and one draw. It remains one of the most impressive records in all of pugilism, proving Pep’s amazing talent.
And while he was incredibly prolific, Pep actually suffered defeat only once during his prime, it was by decision to the naturally bigger Sammy Angott in a non-title bout in 1943. He had won the world featherweight title in 1942 and he would keep it for six years before losing to the all-time great Sandy Saddler. When he rang the bell for that match, his record was an amazing 134 wins to one draw and one loss. And in one of the greatest performances in boxing history, he regained Saddler’s title by decision the following year, before losing twice more to his legendary rival. He continued to compete for another decade and when he finally retired, he was universally acclaimed as one of the most talented and creative performers the ring has ever seen.
No doubt Pep’s success and amazing longevity had a lot to do with his intelligence in the ring, his ability to control the action and avoid punishment. Here, analyst Lee Wylie, in another one of his great videos, details how Pep’s mastery of timing, movement, footwork and inside-fighting allowed him to neutralize his opponents’ efforts, rendering them offensively ineffective. It was such technique and sophistication in the ring that earned Pep the nickname “The Wisp” and made him a true boxing legend. Check it out:
Post Wylie On Pep: Subtle Sophistication appeared first on The Fight City.
Share This Event