Argott was the only loss on Pep's record in his first 136 fights. Why didn't they rematch? Pep got thrown into a meat grinder named Sandy Saddler and he rematched with Saddler 3 more times after that, so I don't see how pep could have feared rematching the mush less dangerious Angott.
I would think because it was a lose-lose situation. Number one, there was never really much of what one would call a "demand" for an Angott fight with anyone. He had an unpleasant, somewhat tedious style to watch. So I can't imagine the money was all that great (Pep was the REAL draw in their bout). We're talking about an era where the paying public got to watch exciting lightweight dynamos like Beau Jack, Bob Montgomery, Ike Williams, Baby Arizmendi, etc. So how to get the public excited over Sammy Angott? He's a promoter's nightmare. Effective and an ATG, but not the most exciting performer you can book. Angott was an incredibly strong lightweight, one who was going to make you look bad with his mauling style. He was the naturally bigger man and his style played havoc with classic stylists like Willie. I think Pep knew he had a better chance of beating Sandy than a spoiler like Angott. And he'd make more money doing it and wouldn't have to leave his natural weight class. Sammy beat a prime Pep. One wonders how he would have done to the older version from the Saddler wars. (BTW, I would take Angott to beat Saddler, too)
I agree on everything except Angott beating Saddler. Saddler had major edges in speed and power despite the size disparity. Throw in that Saddler's only discernable weakness was a lack of foot speed, which wouldn't be a real issue since Angott would be scrambling to wrap Saddler up at every interval. And of course, trying to get inside on Saddler might be the worst tactic one can imagine. Saddler wasn't the terminally polite and patient Pep or raw and unhewn Lew Jenkins. Saddler would have been feeding Angott a steady stream of headbutts, glove laces, thumbs, elbows, even punches. He would have literally torn Angott to bits.
Having been around those heady days, I must remind you that Paddy DeMarco who was Sammy Angott LITE in style, twice decisioned Sandy Saddler...Sandy Saddler was so effective as a featherweight because of his height and strength for a FW, but tackling a VERY STRONG rough and tumble Sammy Angott at 135 lbs wouldn't bode well for Saddler...When Ike Williams, Beau Jack, Bob Montgomery, Sammy Angott were 135 lb champs, I don't recall a Willie Pep or Sandy Saddler seriously challenging these 4 terrific lightweights ever...Somehow they knew better...
I agree...I think Angott would beat Saddler. Sammy Angott was a hard man to watch, but an even harder man to beat. A truly underrated fighter. I think he would have beaten Pep in a rematch. I agree that a rematch betwee Angott and Pep would have been a hard sell.
Keep in mind that Ike Williams was taller than Saddler, had the same speed and power advantages (moreso vs. lightweights than Sandy, actually) and was a naturally bigger man overall. But Sammy still managed to tear him up to the body and stop him (and give him hell in the other split decision fights he lost). I don't see he why he would have a problem with the smaller, weaker, less powerful Saddler. You might wanna look at Angott's record and reassess your opinion on this Sammy fought the much larger (and more foul) Fritzie Zivic. He lost but wasn't torn to pieces. If Zivic can't do it, you can bet that Saddler's tactics won't be throwing any chill into Angott. He also went the distance with Ray Robinson in their fights. I don't think Saddler's power is going to make an impression.
I was thinking the exact same thing - Angott would be an even better, and likely harder-hitting version of DeMarco.
