Willie Pep Appreciation Thread

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by ETM, Nov 7, 2013.


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  1. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9aEURJrgpw

    We all know about the great Willie Pep but we can`t let him be forgotten. His legacy as the greatest pure boxer of alltime still stands IMV. I didn`t have the privilage of seeing the man do his thing in person but there is some film of this artist. He was an artist first and foremost. The above video focuses mostly on his amazing footwork.

    The things he did both defensively and offensively were very unique. Obviously he was very fast and he had quick feet. That`s God given. His bag of tricks was pretty deep. 229 wins as a professional.

    The skillset he developed through hard work and so many amateur fights was uncommon. He never gave his opponent the same look twice. Willie Pep drove boxers crazy with his deception. Sometimes feinting or punching off the wrong foot. He could pull off things like that because of his High Ring IQ and agility.

    The other part of watching the films is something Ray Arcel used to call "Mental Energy". Pep literally was ahead of his opponents. The say the great athletes whether it be a Joe Montana or Magic Johnson see the game in slow motion. Willie was thinking two or three steps ahead of even other great fighters!

    Willie Pep`s record boggles the mind.
     
    ETM, Nov 7, 2013
    ETM, Nov 7, 2013
    #1
  2. DrMo

    DrMo Team GB Full Member

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    He's the best "pure" boxer I've seen footage of & most of that footage is post-plane crash.
     
    DrMo, Nov 8, 2013
    DrMo, Nov 8, 2013
    #2
  3. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I saw Willy Pep ringside in his pre airplane crash era and he was Harry Houdini in the ring...
    A joy to watch ,but so darn frustrating for his opponents....his like we will never see again...
     
    burt bienstock, Nov 8, 2013
    burt bienstock, Nov 8, 2013
    #3
  4. LittleRed

    LittleRed Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Great great boxer. Top 10.
     
    LittleRed, Nov 8, 2013
    LittleRed, Nov 8, 2013
    #4
  5. jc

    jc Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I know of Pep through his reputation rather than any footage I have seen. How much of a draw was he in his day? I ask as it seems a master like Pep would be utterly overlooked by today's 'fan'.
     
    jc, Nov 8, 2013
    jc, Nov 8, 2013
    #5
  6. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Very clever boxer from what I've read and seen.
     
    Stevie G, Nov 8, 2013
    Stevie G, Nov 8, 2013
    #6
  7. Vinegar Hill

    Vinegar Hill Guest

    Did you ever see one of Pep's fights live Burt?
     
    Vinegar Hill, Nov 8, 2013
    Vinegar Hill, Nov 8, 2013
    #7
  8. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Is it fair to say Willie Pep is the greatest defensive master in the history of boxing? If not who are some of the other great defensive fighters that compare to Willie?

    I do admire Floyd Mayweather`s skills and defensive ability. The best of the modern era? Can`t forget James Toney`s defense. One of the reasons he was able to fight so long. Other parts of his game slipped but his defense remained exceptional.
     
    ETM, Nov 13, 2013
    ETM, Nov 13, 2013
    #8
  9. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Yes VH, I and my dad saw the absolute peak Willie Pep fight in MSG 1943
    against one of the class lightweight of that time Allie Stolz of Newark ,NJ.
    Willie Pep was outweighed by Stolz about 7 pounds but won EVERY round
    and put on a display of wizardry that we had never seen before or since...
    Willie Pep that Friday evening seemed to anticipate his opponents every
    move and we in the crowd at MSG knew we were watching the greatest
    defensive boxer ,probably since the Aussie wonder Young Griffo...
    We must understand today that THIS pre plane crash Willie Pep was fighting and beating TOP featherweights almost every TWO weeks...
    What I post VH is not hyperbole, but the fact that the peak Willie Pep was a wonder....cheers.
     
    burt bienstock, Nov 13, 2013
    burt bienstock, Nov 13, 2013
    #9
  10. rossco666

    rossco666 Guest

    Genius
     
    rossco666, Nov 14, 2013
    rossco666, Nov 14, 2013
    #10
  11. the_bigunit

    the_bigunit Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Greatest featherweight of all time. And Pep DID NOT lose his series with Sandy Saddler.

    First meeting: Saddler knocked Pep out. Saddler is a beast, good job.

    Second meeting: Pep completely outboxes Saddler over 15 rounds. Arguably the single greatest victory in boxing history. (Post-plane crash, no less.)

    Third meeting: Surviving film clearly shows Pep, again, outboxing Saddler. Willie was ahead on all 3 scorecards when he was handed a "loss" on the stool after 7 rounds.

    Fourth meeting: A disgusting excuse for a boxing match. Maybe the dirtiest fight ever.

    There was no winner in this one. But if you want to be technical: Pep, once again, edges out Saddler. Film shows Saddler getting outclassed and only able to land punches when ILLEGALLY holding on to the back of Pep's head.


    Stay off BoxRec, kids. Long live, Willie O' Wisp.
     
    the_bigunit, Nov 14, 2013
    the_bigunit, Nov 14, 2013
    #11
  12. RockyJim

    RockyJim Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Brilliant boxer...best pure boxer ever...met him in Providence in the early 1980's...nice guy...
     
    RockyJim, Nov 14, 2013
    RockyJim, Nov 14, 2013
    #12
  13. Yellowmustard

    Yellowmustard Guest

    Surprised how little people know about the guy. Love that video.
     
    Yellowmustard, Nov 17, 2013
    Yellowmustard, Nov 17, 2013
    #13
  14. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    Thanks for the responses. Willie was perfection and maybe there is no room for perfection in boxing. Pep didn't have that big punch. He doesn't spark the controversy some of the other all time greats do.
     
    ETM, Nov 17, 2013
    ETM, Nov 17, 2013
    #14
  15. ETM

    ETM I thought I did enough to win. Full Member

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    229 wins. Gonna go out on a limb and say he probably faced every style. Pressure fighters, big hitters, tall guys, short guys. You name it.
     
    ETM, Nov 17, 2013
    ETM, Nov 17, 2013
    #15
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