The boxing world lost one of its true legends earlier this week. Former world featherweight champion Willie Pep passed away on November 23 in Hartford, CT.
Pep, known as "The Will O' The Wisp," was regarded by many as the greatest defensive fighter of all-time. He won more bouts than any other boxer with a record of 230-11-1, 65 KO's in an incredible 26-year career from 1940-1966. He was famous for his four struggles with fellow hall of famer Sandy Saddler. Pep lost three of the four bouts, but his February 11, 1949 victory over Saddler in Madison Square Garden was voted Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year.
Pep fought a number of times in the Beltway area. On December 14, 1942, Pep fought in DC for the first time, scoring a seventh-round TKO over Jose Aponte Torres. On February 15, 1943 Pep won a 10-round decision over Bill Speary at the Century Club in Baltimore.
On November 27, 1944, Pep won a 10-round decision over Pedro Hernandez at Uline Arena in DC. On December 13, 1945 in Baltimore, Pep fought Baltimore boxer Jimmy McAllister to a 10-round draw, surviving a knockdown in the second round.
Five years later -- July 25, 1950 -- Pep fought for the first time in Griffith Stadium in DC, defeating Bobby Bell by 10-round unanimous decision. One year later -- June 4, 1951 -- Pep fought for the final time in the area, defeating Jesus Compos by 10-round decision in Baltimore.
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While I was pleasantly surprised (and perhaps even mildly shocked) at all of the positive press Floyd Patterson's death received from both the Boxing media AND the mainstream sports media...I am a bit sadly disappointed in the lack of attention Pep's death has received.
Well, I suppose that is kind of the 'nature of the beast' when you are neither a heavyweight or middleweight, and fought in an era LONG ago perhaps...
;-(
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