Not much text is out there on Willie Pep, of the greats of the sport, but I did find this remarkable interview with Pep...it's worth a read... http://thebiofile.com/2010/12/biofile-classic-with-willie-pep/ Does anyone know if there is a Pep autobiography out there?
Sometimes, somebody can be so readily accessible that his presence and availability are taken for granted when it comes to interviews and recorded opinions. Then we're surprised at the dearth of such things when they're no longer available to provide them. Willie even volunteered at the IBHOF in Canastota, and was the first ATG I remember being interviewed on ESPN the day Robinson passed away. (He was introduced as an alternative P4P GOAT to SRR, and assured the viewers at the close of the segment that he planned to be around for a long time more. True to his word, Pep outlived Robby by nearly 18 years. Obituaries presumptuously claimed he succumbed to pugilistica dementia, but being age 84 at the time, I'm inclined to give him a free pass.)
Interestingly Pep in this interview agrees with former St Paul, Minnesota scribe Don Riley about not throwing a punch in the third round of his go with Jackie Graves, a round scored for him by the three judges. A problem exists though in that Don's fellow scribe at the Pioneer Press wrote a round by round account of the bout that appeared in the paper which includes Pep throwing numerous punches in the third round. Don is still alive but quite aged in a nursing home, still I hope to talk with him about this some day soon.
Fridays Heroes by Willie Pep and Robert Satchi is a great read. He talks about himself and his contempories in his own words.
Thanks for this. This quote stands out for me. We always tend to think Pep has trouble with the inside fighters like Saddler, but we tend to think no-one would outbox him. Maybe he could be outboxed, if he is telling the truth here. Just a thought.
I think he could. Maybe if the other guy was faster. At least that would be important. However, I think Pep was a pretty modest guy from what I know, which isn't too much though.
Even if he is being modest, he has admitted he struggled with boxers, at least in his mind. I'm not too sure myself on the issue. If only we had some more footage against boxer types. I do think Pep could off set a speed deficit.
Al, Fridays Hero's was a great book, about the fighters of Friday night fights'i would see on early tv.What memories the book evokes.!As posted before L saw the "Will of the Wisp" in his glorious prime, in 1943 ,beating a classy lightweight, Alli Stolz in MSG. A breathtaking performance Willie gave...
Did you see many of those other heroes in the flesh Burt? I bet you made sure you were in front of the tv if not.