Willie Pep

Willie Pep ( born September 19, 1922 in Hartford, Connecticut, † 23 November 2006 in Rocky Hill, Connecticut ) was an American boxer.

The " Ring Magazine " described him as undoubtedly the greatest defensive boxer of all time. His fight name was correspondingly Will o ' the Wisp, the Irrlicht.

Amateur

Pep had a score of 62-3. One of the defeats was on points against ( the under the pseudonym Ray Roberts boxing ) Sugar Ray Robinson the weighed significantly more in this fight.

Professional

The Italian-American Pep gave his professional debut in 1940. He won his first 63 fights, beating Joey Archibald twice and Pedro Hernandez. In 1942, he defeated for the first time here Chalkie Wright for recognition as NYSAC World Champion, he struck him several more times after that. Against the ( heavier ) Light Sammy Angott 1943 he had suffered his first defeat.

His title he defended in 1943 against Sal Bartolo, who had prepared for him in a non-title fight earlier in the same year, some problems, and in 1945 against Phil Terranova. In 1944, he suggested in a non-title fight bantamweight champion Manuel Ortiz.

In 1943 he volunteered during the Second World War for the U.S. Navy. In 1944 he was drafted, but served less than a year in the armed forces.

In 1946 he won in a unification fight against the now to the NBA world champion Sal Bartolo Ascended general recognition as featherweight world champion.

In 1947 he survived a plane crash in New Jersey, claiming the lives of several passengers. He broke his back and a leg, but returned five months later already successful return to the ring.

In 1948 he was defeated Sandy Saddler by knockout in the fourth round. He defeated him in 1949, but lost again in 1950 and 1951 respectively prematurely due to injury. After his career appeared compromising letters, which suggested that these fights were manipulated.

After these battles, he pushed not to titles and was a sort of farewell tour of 15 years until he finished his career in 1966.

1990 was Pep induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Pep died at the age of 84 years in a nursing home in Rocky Hill, Connecticut. He suffered recently at an advanced stage of Alzheimer 's disease.