"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They: Willie Pep

Guglielmo Papaleo, better known as “Willie Pep,” is one the greatest featherweights that has competed in the boxing ring.  Pep boxed an astounding 241 bouts during his career, with a final record of 229-11-1, including 65 knockouts.  He was known for his impeccable speed and slick moves, out boxing many of his opponents.

Pep started his professional career in 1940, beating fellow featherweight, James McGovern, by way of decision.  In 1938, unbeknownst to him, Pep was matched up against Sugar Ray Robinson in Norwich, CT.  Pep was told that he would be fighting an unknown, unskilled fighter, which he “quickly learned otherwise once the bout began.”  Robinson defeated Pep by decision. 

His rise to become a featherweight great came when be defeated the reigning Featherweight Champion, Abe Denner, for his New England Featherweight Championship.  Pep then went on a 52-0 run before he was afforded the chance to fight for the World Featherweight Championship, defeating Chalky Wright, and becoming the new Champ.

Retiring in 1960, Pep made a brief comeback in 1964, retiring for good two years later.  He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990 and voted number one featherweight of the 20^th Century by the Associated Press and ranked the number 1 featherweight of all-time by the International Boxing Research Organization (IBO), in 2005.

Willie Pep died on November 23, 2006, but will always be remembered as the Greatest Featherweight in boxing history.