How to Score a Professional Boxing ... Aug 1, 2008
There have been boxers who were such defensive wizards, such as Willie Pep, or Pernell Whitaker, that it was virtually impossible for judges not to recognize their skill. It is said that Pep once won a round against Jackie Graves in 1946 without landing a single punch. (Suite101.com)
Marquez faces Vazquez in 3rd big showdown Mar 2, 2008
In the tradition of Sandy Saddler vs. Willie Pep, Rocky Graziano vs. Tony Zale and Erik Morales vs. Marco Antonio Barrera is tonight's fight at the Home Depot Center Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez. Their get-together for the WBC super bantamweight title held by Vazquez, a Sycuan Ringside Promotions chattel, is their third. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Here's a vote for the 'good old days' Dec 16, 2007
Other memorable events included covering the state championship 1957 Chelmsford High football team, led by the Gleason brothers, "Flicka: Johnson and Fred Bell ... Burlington's Jerry Skelton scoring 37 points in a Thanksgiving Day win over Bedford ... Tony Conigliaro playing for St. Mary's of Lynn in a baseball game against Keith Academy at Shedd Park ... The Boston Celtics of the Bill Russell-Bob Cousy era winning successive NBA Championship playoff games against the St. Louis Hawks at Boston... (Yahoo News -- Auto Racing)
Hopkins still strong Jul 23, 2007
Willie Pep History's greatest defensive tactician rarely got hit, even after he turned 40, when he won nine of 10 fights. 5. (AZCentral -- Sports)
Promoters try to turn Hartford back into a boxing town Jun 4, 2007
(AP) _ New England boxing promoter Jimmy Burchfield remembers when Hartford was considered a boxing town, with big crowds turning out to see hometown heroes such as Willie Pep, and, much later, Marlon Starling. "Everyone used to fight here," Burchfield said. (Newsday -- State)
GUTS made successful debut in San Diego Apr 11, 2007
A longtime trainer from Brooklyn who was a contemporary of Jim Braddock, Mickey Walker and Willie Pep. And Jack Dempsey, says Tommy Gallagher. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Sports)
Hatton earns return ticket to Vegas Jan 22, 2007
He started well; indeed, he believed that he had started so well that he compared himself to Willie Pep, the American featherweight of the 1940s and 1950s who was so technically good that, legend has it (wrongly), he once won a round without throwing a punch. Hatton may have been overestimating himself, but after the first round, which was close, he began to find his range and he won the second, third and fourth with an ease and a class that emphasised the gulf in quality. (TimesOnline)
Hatton stays unbeaten, unscathed Jan 21, 2007
"Those first four or five rounds, I looked like Willie Pep. I'd like to think I made the top 10 pound for pound.". Perhaps Hatton accomplished that, but his imitation of Pep -- a Hall of Famer regarded among the greatest defensive fighters ever -- left much to be desired. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Sports)
State sports writers announce annual Gold Key winners Jan 1, 2007
Past award recipients include baseball great Connie Mack, boxing legend Willie Pep and former President George H. W. Bush. Hurley, a 1941 graduate of Weaver High, was a four-sport star before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. (Newsday -- State)
The final farewells: Notable deaths in the sports world in 2006 Dec 26, 2006
Nov. 23 -- Willie Pep, 84, Hall of Fame boxer and one of the best fighters of the 20th century. The 5-foot, 6-inch Pep was 229-11 during a career that spanned 26 years. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA -- Sports)
KEVIN IOLE: Staggering decision: Sulaiman inducted into Hall of Fame Dec 9, 2006
Whitaker might have been the best defensive fighter since Willie Pep. And Lopez may have been the best pure boxer of his time. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Sports)
NYC has Mangini magic Dec 7, 2006
Before the Packers game, he showed tapes of old boxer Willie Pep from his hometown of Hartford, Ct. as he compared Peps iron man career to that of Brett Favre. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Stab and jab, Pep (Dick Heller) Nov 30, 2006
Willie Pep, aka "Will O' the Wisp" because of his defensive prowess, qualifies as one of the 20th century's greatest boxers ... "So I said, 'Let me talk to your boss.' Then somebody came on the phone and said, 'This is Willie Pep.' "I said, 'Willie Pep. (Washington Times, DC)
Roundup: Spanish cyclist dies after crash in race Nov 26, 2006
Willie Pep, boxing star. Willie Pep, a hall-of-fame boxer and one of the best fighters of the 20th century, has died at age 84. (International Herald Tribune -- Sports)
Wie follows 81 with an 80 in Japan Nov 25, 2006
BoxingFabled featherweight boxer Pep dead Willie Pep, a Hall of Fame boxer and one of the best fighters of the 20th century, has died at the age of 84 in Rocky Hill, Conn. where he had been confined to an Alzheimer's unit in a nursing home since 2001. (Boston Globe)
Boxing Champ Dies Nov 25, 2006
Former Featherweight Boxing Champ Willie Pep Dies at 84 ... Willie Pep, left, bounces a left off the jaw of world featherweight champion Albert "Chalky" Wright in an early round of their 1942 title bout. (Fox News)
City celebrates Holiday on Main Street Nov 25, 2006
Do you think the city of Middletown should create a memorial or monument for boxing legend Willie Pep. Yes, he deserves it. (Middletown Press, CT)
Former world boxing champion Pep dies Nov 25, 2006
Willie Pep (L) (File Photo). WASHINGTON, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Willie Pep, the former world featherweight champion has died at the age of 84. (Xinhuanet, China)
Willie Pep, 84; former featherweight champion used defense as a weapon Nov 25, 2006
By Steve Springer, Times Staff Writer November 25, 2006 Former featherweight champion Willie Pep, who turned boxing into ballet and defense into a weapon in a career that spanned more than a quarter of a century, died Thursday ... To this day, whenever the value of defense is questioned in terms of scoring a fight, someone is likely to say, "Willie Pep once won a round without throwing a punch." ... Said one opponent, Kid Campeche: "Fighting Willie Pep is like trying to stamp out a grass fire.".... (Los Angeles Times)
Former featherweight champion Willie Pep, 84, dies Nov 25, 2006
-- Former featherweight champion Willie Pep, whose simple fight philosophy was "Hit the other guy as often as you can but don't let him hurt you," died Thursday, his grandson said. He was 84. (Newsday -- State)
Mayweather reigns supreme against Baldomir Nov 5, 2006
He almost matched the mythical feat of boxing Hall of Famer Willie Pep in the 10th round, winning the round without landing a punch. He spoiled the mark by landing a combination in the final 10 seconds of the round, but that was one of the few downers of the night for Mayweather, who earned $8 million and put himself into position to make at least twice that for a bout against Oscar De La Hoya. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Sports)
Trainer recognized Liakhovich's skills Oct 22, 2006
Weldon, a disciple of Bill Gore, trainer to the legendary Willie Pep, remarked to Holyfield about Liakhovich's talent. Holyfield said he could arrange for Weldon to take over as his trainer. (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Sports)
Toast of the town Aug 21, 2006
" A 1992 Boxing Illustrated article ranked Slattery the seventh slickest boxer of all-time behind only Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Robinson, Benny Leonard, Gene Tunney, Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard. Slattery retired with a 114-13 record, and his niece insisted one of those losses didn't involve him. Alicia Imperi is the daughter of Slattery's brother, Joseph. She claimed her father once fought under her Uncle Jimmy's name - and it apparently wasn't pretty. "They looked enough alike to be twins,... (Buffalo News)
Wright stuff: Boxer uses defense to foil foes Jun 15, 2006
Boxing historian Hank Kaplan acknowledged that Wright is a superb defender but said much about the sport has changed since Willie Pep, according to legend and lore, once won a round without landing a punch ... " Over a 26-year career, Pep won 230 fights, waged against Hall of Fame-bound opponents such as Sandy Saddler, Chalky Wright, Sammy Angott and Manuel Ortiz. Kaplan always had argued that Jim Driscoll, a Hall of Famer who fought in the early 20th century, was the best pure boxer in history... (Las Vegas Review-Journal -- Sports)
The Defense Rests Mar 27, 2006
Considering UCLA has arguably the best defensive team in the country and clinched a Final Four berth Saturday by beating Memphis despite making only four baskets in the second half, Willie Pep might be a good choice. The featherweight from half a century ago was such a great defensive fighter that he was said to have won a round without throwing a punch. (Los Angeles Times)
