Exactly how Good was Willie Pep ?

I've not seen much footage of Willie but, by all accounts, he was a defensive slick specialist. With that in mind I'm sure you've heard the urban myth? that he once won a round without throwing a SINGLE punch! I'll let the 'experts' weight in on his attributes.

 

I know he was a magnificent fighter he moved effortlessly around the ring his combination and hand speed were astonishing he recovered from a plane crash to have four epic clashes with the powerful sandy saddler. in the three pillars of defence he outstanding in them all. as to the story of the famous round it was supposedly against Jackie graves. the fight happened in 1946 willie was humiliating him. he apparently told the reporters at ringside watch me in the third round I will win the round and I wont throw a punch. on two of the judges scorecards he won the round I'm not sure how much of that Is true.

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I met Willie in 1996 or 1997 and he told me that story himself. However, that story has been researched and pretty satisfactorily debunked. In regard to his skill, in the ESPN 3 hour documentary on Marciano, Brian Kenny asks Lou Duva and Angelo Dundee about the best boxers they had seen and they both raved about Pep. Here's Dundee on Pep from an interview on Boxing Insider:

"Pep…oh I loved him. 1948…I had the pleasure of watching him in Madison Square Garden. The Sandy Saddler fights…such great fights. Pep had moves so smooth, such agility. Pep was like watching an artist. Like watching Fred Astaire dance. Pep was the kind of professional, he was kind to a lot of guys. He could have got them out of there. But he would go ten with a lot of guys. Those young kids would just try to knock him out and he’d absolutely frustrate them with his great boxing ability. He was beautiful to watch.”

 

According to what I have read, it is an old wives' tale that Willie Pep won a round while not throwing a punch in a bout with Jackie Graves. Moreover, I believe that the aggressor should win the round if his opponent isn't throwing any punches, even if the latter is a boxing master.

- Chuck Johnston

 

His footwork and speed were uncommon. Hit and not get hit was the name of his game. Not a lot of power but he peppered his opponents and he was well versed in rough tactics. He knew every inch of the ring. Pep fought a lot even for that era and he won an astounding # of fights.

Not sure if it`s a myth or not but legend has it that Robinson fought Pep in the amateurs up in New England. Willie`s area. The locals were sure anyone that beat Pep must be a pro or a ringer. I`ve heard that they detained Robinson for awhile until they were convinced.

 

I heard that on a espn documentry

 

Skillwise theres not much to seperate them. But as much as I love Pep, I think Pernell had more power, so from a skill package point of view I would give the edge to Pernell. If we had the Chalky Wright fight, or a few more of his preaccident fights I might change my mind. All that being said, I have Pernell in my top ten h2h pound for pound list.

 

Yes he was equal with Sweet Pea. If you watch the younger version of Pernell from say `87 through `89. Pea fought a little like Pep. Later on Whitaker became more economical with his movement.

 

Pep was good for the weak ass era he fought in. Still back in a era where black fighters didn't get title shots and most of the fighters were slow plodding white guys. If Pep would of fought in the 70's 80's and 90's he would be considered a average fighter.

 

that sandy saddler fellow was pretty good, for a white guy anyway.

 

Truly one of the greatest featherweights ever, has to be in the top 5. He was a joy to watch.