Didn't plan it ... stumbled on it by chance ... was after hearing an 1999 HBO hype of featherweight tiff between Naseem (thought by many ... ) Hamed and Cesar Soto.

Was an old action pic of Pep-Saddler in their epic battle #2 ... date was 2-11-49 ... site MSG ... the one at 8th and 50th ... and the flashbacks began.

Along with the memories - much like a magnificent magnet - I was quickly drawn to the Nat Fleischer Bible of Boxing Ring Record Book for more on my all-time favorite featherweight champ.

Born Guglielmo Papaleo on 9-19-22 ... ring name Willie Pep and often referred to as the "Will o' the Wisp" ... a fite sobriquet that he wore much like a finely tailored Armani suit.

Pep's ring debut began July 3, 40 with a 4-round decision win over one James McGovern and continued on an undefeated roll thru his first 63 bouts ... a winning span that saw him claim the featherweight title in his 55th fight via 15 round decision over former great Chalky Wright.

Finally, in an over-the-weight non-title meeting with lightweight champ Sammy Angott, he first experienced the agony of defeat by 10-round decision ... he then quickly returned to his winning ways in his next 74 bouts.

By today's standards it truly amazes to realize that the former "Will o' the Wisp" ... at no more than 5'5 1/2" ... entered those legendary wars with the younger and harder punching Sandy Saddler with a 135-1-1 ring record.

After losing the title to Saddler - a first ever KO by on the resume - he managed to reclaim the bauble from Sandy in their second meeting - and then the sun began to set.

While he retained the crown with wins over formidable foes Charlie Riley and Ray Famechon in 1950 - not to mention victories over quality fighters Jimmy Warren, Bobby Bell, Terry Young - he would once again surrender the crown to Saddler on Sept. 26, '51.

The hit list over an illustrious career included such talents as Sal Bartolo, Allie Stolz, Willie Joyce, Manuel Ortiz, Jimmy McCallister, Phil Terranova and Paddy De Marco. Pep finally called it quits on March 16, 66 at age 44 following a 6-round decision loss to a faceless Calvin Woodland ... leaving for posterity a sparkling record of 230 wins - 11 losses - 1 draw ... and a spot on the wall at the Hall of fame in Canastota, N.Y.

Keep the faith guys and gals ... and the hands up and head down.

Semper fi,

Geo El

This page has been visited times.