Willie Pep dies.

[H2O Man]

Boxing great Willie "Will o' the Wisp" Pep died on Thanksgiving Day. He had been in very poor health for at least 5 years.

His boxing career spanned 26 years. He won his first 53 fights before getting a shot at the Featherweight title, at the age of 20. He won,defeating Chalky Wright in 15, then had another 9 wins, before losing his first fight to Sammy Angott. Then he won another 73 straight.

Pep served in WW2, in both the Army and Navy. He continued boxing after his honorable discharge. The "2nd half" of his career was impacted by an accident and serious injuries, which -- along with age -- reduced his outstanding defensive skills. It was in this second half that he had his famous 4-fight series with the great Sandy Sadler. Although Sadler came out clearly ahead, many historians have put Pep ahead of Sadler in the "all time greatest" rankings. It's a tough call.

Pep retired in 1959, but made a sad "come back" in 1965, finally retiring in 1966. He continued to be associated with boxing, mainly as a referee, although the state of New York would not let him ref due to associations with some of the shady characters who pimp the sport. The last time he actually did referee fights in this state was an amateur card at the Elk's Club in Oneonta, NY. I was one of the guys fighting on that card.

A couple of years ago, a friend who came to this area by way of Mexico, then Texas, and then NYC, and who teaches at a local university, came over to watch some boxing on tv. He mentioned one of his favorite fighters was Willie Pep. I went and found the photos I have of Pep as the referee in that fight.

RIP, Willie Pep.

[H2O Man]

1. On "myths" and legends ....

Oldtimers on DU will remember a story about Willie winning a round without throwing a punch. Somehow or another, the story has been altered a bit over time, and I've heard "experts" say he won the first round of one match without throwing a punch. Actually, the round/fight is on film, and I expect ESPN-Classic will show it this weekend. Do yourself a favor, and watch this guy.

In July of 1946, Pep is matched against Jackie Graves, who has a 25-2 record. (There are some reports in boxing journals that say the fight was in '45; however, I have the Ring Record Book as a confirming source that it was indeed '46.) It's six months before that airplane crash, and Pep was skilled in defense like very few in the sport. He told some journalists that he'd go the full 3rd round without throwing a punch, and that he'd win the round.

Well, he dances, weaves, feints, and not only doesn't throw a punch, but he is not hit with a single clean blow. The funny thing is: it isn't a boring round. Only those journalists knew what was going on, and the officials scoring the fight didn't appear to realize the champ never threw a punch!

Pep decked Graves a total of 9 times, before the fight was stopped in the 8th round.

[Kingofalldems]

2. I remember hearing that story when I was young

I think Don Dunphy told it----I will be watching to see the video of Pep's famous no-punch round. Was Pep his real name?

[H2O Man]

3. His given name

was Guglielmo Papeleo. I'm not sure exactly when he shortened it. Willie started boxing amateur at about the age of 14 or 15, and was the Connecticut State Flyweight Champion by age 15, and Bantamweight Champion by 16, before turning professional. And that is at a time when lots and lots of very tough and talented fighters were active in the amateurs. Unreal. The guy was so good, that it is difficult to appreciate. I really hope the sports channels do more than have a tiny banner that just says he died. This guy was one of a small, elite group of the greatest boxers of all time.