Using Willie Pep's style

To the casual observer, watching Willie train at Stillman's after breaking his back, he looked the same -- same stand-up comic, prankster, 'n magician sparring. He scoffed at anything less. Too many laughs 'n tail to chase.

He dismissed any notion that he was different. ("FORGETABOUTIT!") Even phonin' it in, he could still dance rings everybody. A 50% Pep still could...MOST everybody. The moves were all there, just NOT quicksilver, 'n without that edge, he was mortal.

 

The quickness was not something you could judge side-by-side, N, but veteran trainers at Stillman's recognized Willie'd lost a hair. That HAIR is what brought him back to the pack.

 

It's like a fireball pitcher that loses a hair off his fastball. He may get by on junk, but he's never the same intimidator.

 

I think Arguello was a better classic puncher than Saddler was..Saddler when i would see him appeared to be a lightweight, and was very, rough and strong for a 126 lb featherweight...Junior Jones,of a couple of years ago reminded me of Saddler in stature, though not as strong as Saddler.
What a combination left hook-uppercut Sandy had....Rough and tough
he was....

 

Burt,

Got your P.M. PM a number 'n I'll call.

 

My father idolized Pep. Talked him up all the time, said his style WAS boxing...

He was sad when I took the brawler/puncher route in my own ring career. Always thought his boy would make a great technician. Took me 20 years longer than he estimated to become any semblance of slick. One of the last conversations me and my old man had was about Pep's lone victory over Saddler and how it may be the most underrated win we knew of.

Feel like Willie is a half brother I never met when I think about Pa sometimes.

 

M, your father had good taste...Pep was almost supernatural, it seemed...

 

And our natural gifts and persuasions in the ring could not have been more different. I was the Anti-Pep.