Willie Pep - How Was He Brilliant?

For me what made Pep special is a mixture of things. His defence is obviosuly one of them but his turn of pace, offence and balance are other factors.

His defence was largely based on foot movement and head feints. He would feint his head one way and slide the other, bob under his opponent then pull the opposite way etc... As BB said he had a great sense of anticipation and could make guys miss brilliantly.

But we all know how good his defence was but it was what he did with it that made him special. As he came away he would be at an angle to his opponent and would launch in a quick combination then with his turn of pace he could reset his angle and launch another flurry off, he had a very underrated workrate as he was constantly changing his angle and going through the gears like this. His wide stance allowed him to change his angle but remain in a position to allow him to punch, his jab and right leads were beautifulpuncheshe would often throw as a distraction, then come in behind them by changing angle and coming in with some combos.

That is why he is special.

 

Astute observations, brilliantly described, GP. Freddie Roach could use you to scout.

 

Thanks JG.

Roach is one guy who I listen to, really knows his stuff.

 

Good stuff. He was one of the best feinters and angle fighters of all time, for sure. Maybe the best at splicing such difficult to master techniques into his offensive arsenal. Certainly among the defensive specialists. You won't find anyone with better all-around footwork, either. All of the necessary tools to make a great pure boxer, he had.

 

I recentl had a discussion with someone who called Pep uncordinated and open.

 

Pep was just a genius..how do you explain genius? In those Italian genes of his flowed not genius of painting, sculpture or music or poetry but of the art of not getting hit...of making a man look foolish in the ring. He was a master, period.

 

You should tell him to post on the Braille boxing site, GP.

 

Poetry befitting Pep, rc.

 

That tells you all you need to know about that person.

 

I guess that in all of life there are idiots who just can't take in what they're seeing...morons who shouldn't even be considered on their opinions.

 

He reminds me of something that Picasso once said..that why should he try to explain the works that he did any more than one should try explain why a bird sings like they do.

 

I swear, I've watched films of Pep moving in the ring and it's as much an art to behold as it is a boxing match.

 

After Whitaker, yes.

 

Whitaker was definitely far and away the better technician and I'd also rate him as a more complete defensive fighter, but Pep has the more "educated" offence and footwork. Whitaker's ability to box off the back foot might give him the edge. It's close.

 

:shock::shock: