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Willie Pep

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Willie Pep
Pep, circa 1950
Born
Guglielmo Papaleo

(1922-09-19)September 19, 1922
Middletown, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedNovember 23, 2006(2006-11-23) (aged 84)
Rocky Hill, Connecticut, U.S.
Other namesWill o' the Wisp
Statistics
Weight(s)Featherweight
Height5 ft 5 in (165 cm)
Reach68 in (173 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights241
Wins229
Wins by KO65
Losses11
Draws1

Guglielmo Papaleo (Middletown - September 19, 1922 – November 23, 2006) was an American professional boxer, better known as Willie Pep, who held the World Featherweight championship twice between the years of 1942 and 1950.

Papaleo was born in an Italian family: his father, Salvatore, was from Rosolini, whereas his mother, Maria Marchese, was from Melilli.

Pep boxed a total of 1,956 rounds in the 241 bouts during his 26-year career, a considerable number of rounds and bouts even for a fighter of his era. His final record was 229–11–1 with 65 knockouts. Pep, known for his speed, finesse and elusiveness, is considered to be one of the best fighters of the 20th century; after his 199th win, Kid Campeche described his experience by saying, "Fighting Willie Pep is like trying to stomp out a grass fire."[1] Pep was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. Pep was voted as the No. 1 featherweight of the 20th century by the Associated Press[2] and ranked the No. 1 featherweight of all time by the International Boxing Research Organization in 2005.[3] He is currently ranked by BoxRec as the 28th greatest pound-for-pound fighter of all time.[4]

Boxing career

[edit]

Amateur career

[edit]

Pep first fought as an amateur in 1937. At the time, amateur boxers from Connecticut were allowed to fight for money. It was during the Great Depression and Pep's father was earning $15 per week at the Works Progress Administration. Pep worked as a shoeshine boy in downtown Hartford alongside Johnny Duke. Both boys joined a gym together and became sparring partners. Willie was soon earning more in one night of fighting each week. When his parents found out he was boxing, his mother was worried for him, but his father said that if he was making so much fighting on Fridays, maybe he should see about fighting on Tuesdays as well. "My old man, he was a sports fan" Pep later quipped.[5]

In 1938 Pep fought Sugar Ray Robinson in the attic of a feed store in Norwich, Connecticut.[6] According to Pep's later telling, Robinson was an amateur champion in the state of New York, where amateurs were not paid, so he took a pseudonym to get bouts for money in Connecticut. Because of this, Pep did not know who he was fighting at the time. Before the fight he was told his unknown opponent was not good, but he recalls quickly learning otherwise once the bout began and Robinson was "all over me".[7]

Professional career

[edit]

Pep started boxing professionally on July 10, 1940, beating James McGovern by a decision in four rounds in Hartford, Connecticut. Like many boxers of the first half of the 20th century, Pep concentrated his early fighting career on boxing in New England, and he split his first 25 contests between Connecticut and Massachusetts. He was undefeated during that span and for fight number 26, he finally headed west, beating Eddie Flores by a knockout in the first round at Thompsonville, Michigan. A couple of fights later, he travelled further west and made his California debut, beating Billy Spencer by a decision in four rounds at Los Angeles.

By the time Pep stepped up his quality of opposition he was undefeated at 41–0, and he met former world champion Joey Archibald in 1942. He beat Archibald by a decision in ten rounds and, in his next bout, challenged Abe Denner for the New England-area featherweight title. He won the fight by a decision in 12, and his status among the world's top featherweights continued to climb. He won ten more bouts to reach 52–0, including a rematch win over Archibald, before he was given his first world championship try, in October. He became the World Featherweight Champion by outpointing the defending world champ Chalky Wright over the 15 round distance. He fought twice more to finish the year, winning both by knockout.

Pep began 1943 by winning six bouts in a row to find himself with a record of 62–0. But in his seventh bout of 1943, he suffered his first defeat, at the hands of Sammy Angott, another world champion boxer. Angott beat Pep over the ten round distance, by decision. Ten days later, Pep was back in the ring, beating Bobby McIntyre by a decision. He closed 1943 winning five fights in a row, including two over future world champion Sal Bartolo and one over Jackie Wilson. The second win over Bartolo was in a defense of the world title.

1944 was a very good year for Pep. He won all 16 of his bouts that year, including wins over bantamweight champions Willie Joyce and Manuel Ortiz. He fought and beat Wright two more times, with Pep's featherweight title on the line once. He also made his first fight abroad, beating fringe contender Jackie Lemus in Canada.

On June 6, 1944, he fought near featherweight contender, and rated lightweight Julie Kogon before a record crowd of 7,751 in an extraordinary bout in Hartford, Connecticut, and won soundly in an eight-round decision. Pep was given eight rounds by one of the judges. One fascinating fact about this fight that is not well known, is that Kogon was threatened before the fight by two armed men. They stated that the Kogon would not win the fight and it would be thrown or else him and his family would not survive.[8][9][10]

He had eight fights in 1945, winning seven and drawing one. He beat former world champion Phil Terranova to retain the title, and had a ten-round draw with Jimmy McAllister.

In 1946, Pep had 18 fights, and won all of them, including a 12-round knockout of Bartolo and a three-round knockout of Wright. He had a six-fight knockout win streak during a span that year.

Despite being severely injured in a plane crash on January 5, Pep fought 10 bouts in 1947, again going undefeated. Many thought he had lost something as a fighter, especially after unexpectedly struggling in fights against Archie Wilmer (Pep won a majority decision) and Pedro Biesca (Pep was floored in the fourth round). He defended the world featherweight belt once that year, knocking out Jock Leslie in twelve rounds at Flint, Michigan.

Nineteen forty-eight was a year that would become important in Pep's life: He won 15 bouts before going into what would be the first fight of his four-fight series with Sandy Saddler. He retained the title by beating Humberto Sierra by a knockout in 10 and he beat former world champion Paddy DeMarco, also in ten, but by decision. Then, on October 29, he lost the world featherweight title to Saddler in a fourth-round knockout.

After two wins, he and Saddler met in 1949. On their rivalry's second installment, Pep recovered the World Featherweight Championship by beating Saddler in a 15-round decision, and then he engaged in a series of exhibition and ten round bouts before defending the crown against Eddie Campo, winning by a knockout in the seventh. He finished that year beating former bantamweight champion Harold Dade by a decision in ten at St. Louis.

In 1950, he won nine fights before meeting Saddler for a third time. Those nine bouts included defenses against Charlie Riley, knocked out in five, and France's Ray Famechon, beaten by decision in 15. Then came the third fight with Saddler. Pep once again lost his World Featherweight Championship to Saddler, being unable to come out for the eighth round due to a separated shoulder suffered at the end of the seventh round. Pep was ahead on all scorecards (5–2, 5–2, 4–2).[11]

Nineteen fifty-one brought a hint of controversy to Pep's life. He won eight bouts in a row to start the year, but his ninth bout, the last chapter of the rivalry with Saddler, was his most important bout that year. Pep quit because blood from his right eye was bothering him. According to Nat Fleischer in The Ring, December 1951, this was an extremely dirty fight, with "wrestling, heeling, eye gouging, tripping, thumbing- in fact every dirty trick known to the old timers..." Referee Ray Miller "let the bout get out of hand..." "The pattern of the 'contest' never varied. Pep wouldn't make a fight of it and Sandy couldn't. Pep too frequently backed around the ring and Saddler just as often missed as he kept boring in trying to corner his man. Then when he did, the rowdy tactics got under way and ended only when either both were sprawled on the canvas still wrestling each other, or the referee was outside the ring trying pull the boys apart or both fighters and official were entangled in a pretzel formation on the ring floor." Pep was ahead on the scorecards of the officials after eight rounds, but he quit after nine rounds, "declaring he no longer could continue because of severe pains caused by a deep cut over the right eye."[12]

In 1952, Pep had 12 fights, winning 11. He was knocked out in six by Tommy Collins, but also held two wins over Billy Lima that year.

Pep won all 11 fights in 1953, and entered 1954 on a 17-fight winning streak. After beating David Seabrooke by a decision, he lost to fringe contender Lulu Perez by TKO after a delayed reaction to a punch. Pep ended up winning three more bouts before the end of the year.

Pep went on boxing for five more years, retiring in 1960, and then he came back in 1964 and boxed for two more years. During that last period of his boxing career, he won 43 bouts and lost only five, but his only opponent of note during that time was Hogan Kid Bassey, a future World Featherweight Champion who knocked Pep out in nine rounds. Pep boxed in Caracas, Venezuela, losing to Sonny Leon by a decision in 10, and in his last fight, in 1966, he lost to Calvin Woodland by a decision in six.

Pep had a record of 229 wins, 11 losses and one draw, with 65 wins by knockout.

Post-career

[edit]

After retiring, he and Saddler were involved in a series of exhibition bouts, and in 1980, Pep sued Sports Illustrated for running a story suggesting that he threw his fight with Perez. Pep lost the lawsuit, the jury deliberating just 15 minutes.[13]

Pep remained active in boxing after hanging up the gloves, serving as an inspector and referee.

In 1977, Pep was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame.

In March 2006, Pep resided at a nursing home in Connecticut, diagnosed with dementia pugilistica, before his death on November 23, 2006.[14] He is buried in Rocky Hill, CT. He left four children, William "Billy" Papaleo, Mary Papaleo, Michael Papaleo and Melissa Papaleo, and three stepchildren, April, L.J., Holly Miller.[15]

Honors

[edit]

In 1945, Pep was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in its inaugural year of 1990.

Pep was ranked sixth on Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years in 2002. Pep was also named the third greatest fighter of all time by Bert Sugar.

Pep was ranked 5th on ESPN's 50 Greatest Boxers Of All Time list in 2007.

Willie Pep was voted as the Greatest Featherweight Ever by the Houston Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2014. The HBHOF is a voting body composed totally of current and former fighters.

In 2011, the city of Middletown, Connecticut constructed the Willie Pep Skatepark named in honor of Pep.[16][17]

Film

[edit]

In 2023, The Featherweight, a feature film based on Pep's life, premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. Directed by Robert Kolodny, the biographical film stars James Madio as Willie Pep and focuses primarily on the period before Pep's 1965 comeback. Lawrence Gilliard Jr. portrays Sandy Saddler, Stephen Lang plays Pep's trainer Bill Gore, Keir Gilchrist is Pep's son Billy, Ron Livingston is Pep's manager Bob Kaplan and Ruby Wolf portrays Pep's young wife Linda.[18][19][20]

"No-punch" round

[edit]

There are claims that Pep won the third round in his fight against Jackie Graves in a fight on July 25, 1946, without throwing a punch. The "no-punch" winning round is disputed; several contemporary newspaper articles make no mention of it,[21][22][23] and an account in The Minneapolis Star describes the third round as "toe to toe slugging with Pep inflicting his best punishment with a right to the body".[24] Pep supposedly tipped off a few ringside reporters before the bout and told them he would win the third round without throwing "a punch of anger."[25]

Professional boxing record

[edit]
241 fights 229 wins 11 losses
By knockout 65 6
By decision 164 5
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
241 Loss 229–11–1 Calvin Woodland UD 6 Mar 16, 1966 43 years, 178 days City Arena, Richmond, Virginia, US
240 Win 229–10–1 Ray Coleman KO 5 (10) Oct 25, 1965 43 years, 36 days Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona, US
239 Win 228–10–1 Sergio Musquiz TKO 5 (10) Oct 14, 1965 43 years, 25 days Sportatorium, Phoenix, Arizona, US
238 Win 227–10–1 Tommy Haden TKO 3 (10), 1:33 Oct 4, 1965 43 years, 15 days Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Pennsylvania, US
237 Win 226–10–1 Willie Little TKO 3 (10) Oct 1, 1965 43 years, 12 days War Memorial Arena, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, US
236 Win 225–10–1 Johnny Gilmore PTS 6 Sep 28, 1965 43 years, 9 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
235 Win 224–10–1 Benny 'Red' Randall UD 10 Jul 21, 1965 42 years, 305 days Old Coliseum, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
234 Win 223–10–1 Johnny Gilmore UD 6 May 21, 1965 42 years, 244 days Crystal Arena, Norwalk, Connecticut, US
233 Win 222–10–1 Jackie Lennon UD 6 Apr 26, 1965 42 years, 219 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
232 Win 221–10–1 Harold McKeever UD 8 Mar 11, 1959 36 years, 173 days Little River Auditorium, Miami, Florida, US
231 Loss 220–10–1 Sonny Leon UD 10 Jan 26, 1959 36 years, 129 days Nuevo Circo, Caracas, Venezuela
230 Loss 220–9–1 Hogan 'Kid' Bassey TKO 9 (10) Sep 20, 1958 36 years, 1 day Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
229 Win 220–8–1 Al Duarte UD 10 Aug 26, 1958 35 years, 341 days Glovers Bowl, North Adams, Massachusetts, US
228 Win 219–8–1 Jesse Rodriguez UD 10 Aug 9, 1958 35 years, 324 days Lake County Fairgrounds, Painesville, Ohio, US
227 Win 218–8–1 Luis Carmona UD 10 Aug 4, 1958 35 years, 319 days Northern Maine Fairgrounds, Presque Isle, Maine, US
226 Win 217–8–1 Bobby Bell UD 10 Jul 17, 1958 35 years, 301 days Arena, Norwood, Massachusetts, US
225 Win 216–8–1 Bobby Soares UD 10 Jul 1, 1958 35 years, 285 days Memorial Hall, Athol, Massachusetts, US
224 Win 215–8–1 Pat McCoy UD 10 Jun 23, 1958 35 years, 277 days Sargent Field, New Bedford, Massachusetts, US
223 Win 214–8–1 Bobby Singleton UD 10 May 20, 1958 35 years, 243 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US
222 Win 213–8–1 Jimmy Kelly UD 10 Apr 29, 1958 35 years, 222 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US
221 Win 212–8–1 Cleo Ortiz UD 10 Apr 14, 1958 35 years, 207 days Arcadia Ballroom, Providence, Rhode Island, US
220 Win 211–8–1 George Stephany PTS 10 Apr 8, 1958 35 years, 201 days Arena, Bristol, Connecticut, US
219 Win 210–8–1 Prince Johnson UD 10 Mar 31, 1958 35 years, 193 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
218 Loss 209–8–1 Tommy Tibbs SD 10 Jan 14, 1958 35 years, 117 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US
217 Win 209–7–1 Jimmy Connors UD 10 Dec 17, 1957 35 years, 89 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
216 Win 208–7–1 Russell Tague UD 10 Jul 23, 1957 34 years, 307 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
215 Win 207–7–1 Manny Castro UD 10 Jul 16, 1957 34 years, 300 days County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas, US
214 Win 206–7–1 Manny Castro UD 10 May 10, 1957 34 years, 233 days Memorial Stadium, Florence, South Carolina, US
213 Win 205–7–1 Cesar Morales UD 10 Apr 23, 1957 34 years, 216 days War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US
212 Win 204–7–1 Hector Bacquettes TKO 5 (10) Jul 4, 1956 33 years, 289 days Roosevelt Stadium, Lawton, Oklahoma, US
211 Win 203–7–1 Russell Tague RTD 6 (10), 3:00 Jun 19, 1956 33 years, 274 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
210 Win 202–7–1 Manuel Armenteros RTD 6 (10), 3:00 May 22, 1956 33 years, 246 days Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US
209 Win 201–7–1 Jackie Blair PTS 10 Apr 17, 1956 33 years, 211 days State Theatre, Hartford, Connecticut, US
208 Win 200–7–1 Buddy Baggett UD 10 Mar 27, 1956 33 years, 190 days Sportatorium, Beaumont, Texas, US
207 Win 199–7–1 Kid Campeche UD 10 Mar 16, 1956 33 years, 179 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
206 Win 198–7–1 Andy Arel UD 10 Dec 28, 1955 33 years, 100 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
205 Win 197–7–1 Leo Carter TKO 4 (?), 1:13 Dec 13, 1955 33 years, 85 days Auditorium, Houston, Texas, US
204 Win 196–7–1 Henry 'Pappy' Gault UD 10 Nov 29, 1955 33 years, 71 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
203 Win 195–7–1 Charley Titone UD 10 Oct 10, 1955 33 years, 21 days Maple Arena, Brockton, Massachusetts, US
202 Win 194–7–1 Henry 'Pappy' Gault UD 10 Sep 27, 1955 33 years, 8 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
201 Win 193–7–1 Jimmy Ithia TKO 6 (10), 1:54 Sep 13, 1955 32 years, 359 days State Theatre, Hartford, Connecticut, US
200 Win 192–7–1 Hector Rodriguez PTS 10 Jul 12, 1955 32 years, 296 days Hedges Stadium, Bridgeport, Connecticut, US
199 Win 191–7–1 Mickey Mars TKO 7 (10), 0:52 Jun 14, 1955 32 years, 268 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
198 Win 190–7–1 Joey Cam TKO 3 (10), 3:00 Jun 1, 1955 32 years, 255 days Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, US
197 Win 189–7–1 Gil Cadilli UD 10 May 18, 1955 32 years, 241 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
196 Loss 188–7–1 Gil Cadilli SD 10 Mar 30, 1955 32 years, 192 days Parks Air Force Base, California, US
195 Win 188–6–1 Charley Titone UD 10 Mar 22, 1955 32 years, 184 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
194 Win 187–6–1 Myrel Olmstead UD 10 Mar 11, 1955 32 years, 173 days State Armory, Bennington, Vermont, US
193 Win 186–6–1 Mario 'Eladio' Colon PTS 10 Nov 1, 1954 32 years, 43 days Beach Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida, US
192 Win 185–6–1 Til LeBlanc UD 10 Aug 18, 1954 31 years, 333 days Moncton Arena, Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada
191 Win 184–6–1 Mike Tourcotte UD 10 Jul 24, 1954 31 years, 308 days Hartwell Field, Mobile, Alabama, US
190 Loss 183–6–1 Lulu Perez TKO 2 (10), 1:53 Feb 26, 1954 31 years, 160 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
189 Win 183–5–1 Davey Seabrook UD 10 Jan 19, 1954 31 years, 122 days Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida, US
188 Win 182–5–1 Tony Longo UD 10 Dec 15, 1953 31 years, 87 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
187 Win 181–5–1 Billy Lima TKO 2 (10) Dec 8, 1953 31 years, 80 days City Auditorium, Houston, Texas, US
186 Win 180–5–1 Davey Allen PTS 10 Dec 4, 1953 31 years, 76 days Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, US
185 Win 179–5–1 Sonny Luciano UD 10 Nov 21, 1953 31 years, 63 days Armory, Charlotte, North Carolina, US
184 Win 178–5–1 Pat Marcune TKO 10 (10), 0:14 Jun 5, 1953 30 years, 259 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
183 Win 177–5–1 Jackie Blair UD 10 May 13, 1953 30 years, 236 days Will Rogers Coliseum, Fort Worth, Texas, US
182 Win 176–5–1 Noel Paquette UD 10 Apr 7, 1953 30 years, 200 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
181 Win 175–5–1 Joey Gambino UD 10 Mar 31, 1953 30 years, 193 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
180 Win 174–5–1 Pepe Alvarez PTS 10 Feb 10, 1953 30 years, 144 days Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US
179 Win 173–5–1 Dave Mitchell UD 10 Jan 27, 1953 30 years, 130 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
178 Win 172–5–1 Billy Lauderdale UD 10 Jan 19, 1953 30 years, 122 days Nassau Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas
177 Win 171–5–1 Jorge Sanchez PTS 10 Dec 5, 1952 30 years, 77 days Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, US
176 Win 170–5–1 Fabela Chavez UD 10 Nov 19, 1952 30 years, 61 days Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, US
175 Win 169–5–1 Manny Castro TKO 5 (10), 0:55 Nov 5, 1952 30 years, 47 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
174 Win 168–5–1 Billy Lima UD 10 Oct 20, 1952 30 years, 31 days Baseball Park, Jacksonville, Florida, US
173 Win 167–5–1 Armand Savoie UD 10 Oct 1, 1952 30 years, 12 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
172 Win 166–5–1 Bobby Woods UD 10 Sep 11, 1952 29 years, 358 days Denman Auditorium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
171 Win 165–5–1 Billy Lima UD 10 Sep 3, 1952 29 years, 350 days Legion Field, Pensacola, Florida, US
170 Loss 164–5–1 Tommy Collins TKO 6 (10), 0:55 Jun 30, 1952 29 years, 285 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
169 Win 164–4–1 Claude Hammond UD 10 May 21, 1952 29 years, 245 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
168 Win 163–4–1 Buddy Baggett KO 5 (10) May 10, 1952 29 years, 234 days Eustis Park, Aiken, South Carolina, US
167 Win 162–4–1 Kenny Leach PTS 10 May 5, 1952 29 years, 229 days Golden Park, Columbus, Ohio, US
166 Win 161–4–1 Santiago Gonzalez UD 10 Apr 29, 1952 29 years, 223 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
165 Loss 160–4–1 Sandy Saddler RTD 9 (15), 3:00 Sep 26, 1951 29 years, 7 days Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles
164 Win 160–3–1 Rodolfo Gonzales UD 10 Sep 4, 1951 28 years, 350 days Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
163 Win 159–3–1 Jesus Compos UD 10 Jun 4, 1951 28 years, 258 days Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
162 Win 158–3–1 Eddie Chavez MD 10 Apr 27, 1951 28 years, 220 days Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US
161 Win 157–3–1 Baby Neff Ortiz TKO 5 (10), 2:24 Apr 17, 1951 28 years, 210 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US
160 Win 156–3–1 Pat Iacobucci UD 10 Mar 26, 1951 28 years, 188 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
159 Win 155–3–1 Carlos Chávez UD 10 Mar 5, 1951 28 years, 167 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
158 Win 154–3–1 Eddie Webb TKO 2 (10), 1:05 Feb 26, 1951 28 years, 160 days Legion Coliseum, Sarasota, Florida, US
157 Win 153–3–1 Tommy Baker TKO 4 (10), 1:29 Jan 30, 1951 28 years, 133 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
156 Loss 152–3–1 Sandy Saddler RTD 8 (15), 3:00 Sep 8, 1950 27 years, 354 days Yankee Stadium, New York City, New York, US Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles
155 Win 152–2–1 Proctor Heinhold UD 10 Aug 2, 1950 27 years, 317 days Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, US
154 Win 151–2–1 Bobby Bell UD 10 Jul 25, 1950 27 years, 309 days Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US
153 Win 150–2–1 Bobby Timpson UD 10 Jun 26, 1950 27 years, 280 days Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US
152 Win 149–2–1 Terry Young UD 10 Jun 1, 1950 27 years, 255 days Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
151 Win 148–2–1 Asuncion Llanos KO 2 (10), 1:10 May 15, 1950 27 years, 238 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
150 Win 147–2–1 Ray Famechon UD 15 Mar 17, 1950 27 years, 179 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles
149 Win 146–2–1 Jimmy Warren UD 10 Feb 22, 1950 27 years, 156 days Dinner Key Auditorium, Coconut Grove, Florida, US
148 Win 145–2–1 Roy Andrews UD 10 Feb 6, 1950 27 years, 140 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
147 Win 144–2–1 Charley Riley KO 5 (15), 1:05 Jan 16, 1950 27 years, 119 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles
146 Win 143–2–1 Harold Dade UD 10 Dec 12, 1949 27 years, 84 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US
145 Win 142–2–1 Eddie Campo TKO 7 (15), 0:41 Sep 20, 1949 27 years, 1 day Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, Massachusetts, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles
144 Win 141–2–1 Jean Mougin UD 10 Jul 12, 1949 26 years, 296 days MacArthur Stadium, Syracuse, New York, US
143 Win 140–2–1 Johnny LaRusso UD 10 Jun 20, 1949 26 years, 274 days Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
142 Win 139–2–1 Al Pennino UD 10 Jun 14, 1949 26 years, 268 days Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, US
141 Win 138–2–1 Luis Ramos PTS 10 Jun 6, 1949 26 years, 260 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
140 Win 137–2–1 Sandy Saddler UD 15 Feb 11, 1949 26 years, 145 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles
139 Win 136–2–1 Teddy Davis UD 10 Jan 17, 1949 26 years, 120 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US
138 Win 135–2–1 Hermie Freeman UD 10 Dec 20, 1948 26 years, 92 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
137 Loss 134–2–1 Sandy Saddler KO 4 (15), 2:38 Oct 29, 1948 26 years, 40 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles
136 Win 134–1–1 Johnny LaRusso PTS 10 Oct 19, 1948 26 years, 30 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
135 Win 133–1–1 Chuck Burton PTS 8 Oct 12, 1948 26 years, 23 days Jersey City Gardens, Jersey City, New Jersey, US
134 Win 132–1–1 Paddy DeMarco UD 10 Sep 10, 1948 25 years, 357 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
133 Win 131–1–1 Johnny Dell TKO 8 (10) Sep 2, 1948 25 years, 349 days Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
132 Win 130–1–1 Teddy Davis PTS 10 Aug 17, 1948 25 years, 333 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US
131 Win 129–1–1 Teddy Davis PTS 10 Aug 3, 1948 25 years, 319 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US
130 Win 128–1–1 Young Junior KO 1 (10) Jul 28, 1948 25 years, 313 days Bennett's Field, Utica, New York, US
129 Win 127–1–1 Luther Burgess UD 10 Jun 25, 1948 25 years, 280 days Atwood Stadium, Flint, Michigan, US
128 Win 126–1–1 Miguel Acevedo UD 10 Jun 17, 1948 25 years, 272 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
127 Win 125–1–1 Charley Lewis UD 10 May 19, 1948 25 years, 243 days Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
126 Win 124–1–1 Leroy Willis UD 10 May 7, 1948 25 years, 231 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
125 Win 123–1–1 Humberto Sierra TKO 10 (15), 0:22 Feb 24, 1948 25 years, 158 days Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles
124 Win 122–1–1 Joey Angelo UD 10 Jan 19, 1948 25 years, 122 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
123 Win 121–1–1 Jimmy McAllister UD 10 Jan 12, 1948 25 years, 115 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US
122 Win 120–1–1 Pedro Biesca PTS 10 Jan 6, 1948 25 years, 109 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
121 Win 119–1–1 Lefty LaChance TKO 8 (10) Dec 30, 1947 25 years, 102 days Recreation Center, Manchester, New Hampshire, US
120 Win 118–1–1 Alvaro Estrada UD 10 Dec 22, 1947 25 years, 94 days City Hall, Lewiston, Maine, US
119 Win 117–1–1 Archie Wilmer MD 10 Oct 27, 1947 25 years, 38 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
118 Win 116–1–1 Jean Barriere KO 1 (10), 2:07 Oct 21, 1947 25 years, 32 days Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, US
117 Win 115–1–1 Jock Leslie KO 12 (15), 0:45 Aug 22, 1947 24 years, 337 days Atwood Stadium, Flint, Michigan, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring featherweight titles
116 Win 114–1–1 Humberto Sierra UD 10 Jul 23, 1947 24 years, 307 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US
115 Win 113–1–1 Paulie Jackson UD 10 Jul 15, 1947 24 years, 299 days Sargent Field, New Bedford, Massachusetts, US
114 Win 112–1–1 Jean Barriere KO 4 (10), 1:58 Jul 11, 1947 24 years, 295 days Meadowbrook Arena, North Adams, Massachusetts, US
113 Win 111–1–1 Leo LeBrun PTS 8 Jul 8, 1947 24 years, 292 days Crystal Arena, Norwalk, Connecticut, US
112 Win 110–1–1 Joey Fontana KO 5 (10), 1:00 Jul 1, 1947 24 years, 285 days Hawkins Stadium, Albany, New York, US
111 Win 109–1–1 Victor Flores PTS 10 Jun 17, 1947 24 years, 271 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
110 Win 108–1–1 Chalky Wright KO 3 (10), 1:05 Nov 27, 1946 24 years, 69 days Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
109 Win 107–1–1 Tomas Beato KO 2 (10) Nov 15, 1946 24 years, 57 days State Armory, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
108 Win 106–1–1 Paulie Jackson PTS 10 Nov 1, 1946 24 years, 43 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
107 Win 105–1–1 Lefty LaChance TKO 3 (10), 1:47 Sep 17, 1946 23 years, 363 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US
106 Win 104–1–1 Walter Kolby TKO 5 (10), 2:26 Sep 4, 1946 23 years, 350 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
105 Win 103–1–1 Doll Rafferty KO 6 (10), 1:10 Aug 26, 1946 23 years, 341 days Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
104 Win 102–1–1 Jackie Graves TKO 8 (10), 1:52 Jul 25, 1946 23 years, 309 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
103 Win 101–1–1 Harold Gibson TKO 7 (10), 2:21 Jul 10, 1946 23 years, 294 days Civic Stadium, Buffalo, New York, US
102 Win 100–1–1 Sal Bartolo KO 12 (15), 2:41 Jun 7, 1946 23 years, 261 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles;
Won NBA featherweight title
101 Win 99–1–1 Jimmy Joyce PTS 8 May 27, 1946 23 years, 250 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
100 Win 98–1–1 Jose Aponte Torres UD 10 May 22, 1946 23 years, 245 days Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, US
99 Win 97–1–1 Joey Angelo UD 10 May 13, 1946 23 years, 236 days Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, US
98 Win 96–1–1 Ernie Petrone PTS 10 May 6, 1946 23 years, 229 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
97 Win 95–1–1 Georgie Knox TKO 3 (10), 1:45 Apr 8, 1946 23 years, 201 days Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, US
96 Win 94–1–1 Jackie Wilson UD 10 Mar 26, 1946 23 years, 188 days Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, US
95 Win 93–1–1 Jimmy McAllister KO 2 (10), 2:44 Mar 1, 1946 23 years, 163 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
94 Win 92–1–1 Jimmy Joyce UD 10 Feb 13, 1946 23 years, 147 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
93 Win 91–1–1 Johnny Virgo KO 2 (10), 1:05 Jan 15, 1946 23 years, 118 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
92 Draw 90–1–1 Jimmy McAllister MD 10 Dec 13, 1945 23 years, 85 days Baltimore Garden, Baltimore, Maryland, US
91 Win 90–1 Harold Gibson PTS 10 Dec 5, 1945 23 years, 77 days Armory, Lewiston, Maine, US
90 Win 89–1 Eddie Giosa UD 10 Nov 26, 1945 23 years, 68 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US
89 Win 88–1 Mike Martyk TKO 5 (10), 2:39 Nov 5, 1945 23 years, 47 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
88 Win 87–1 Paulie Jackson PTS 8 Oct 30, 1945 23 years, 41 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
87 Win 86–1 Phil Terranova UD 15 Feb 19, 1945 22 years, 153 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles
86 Win 85–1 Willie Roache PTS 10 Feb 5, 1945 22 years, 139 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
85 Win 84–1 Ralph Walton PTS 10 Jan 23, 1945 22 years, 126 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
84 Win 83–1 Chalky Wright UD 10 Dec 5, 1944 22 years, 77 days Arena, Cleveland, Cleveland, US
83 Win 82–1 Pedro Hernández PTS 10 Nov 27, 1944 22 years, 69 days Uline Arena, Washington, DC, US
82 Win 81–1 Charley Lewis UD 10 Nov 14, 1944 22 years, 56 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
81 Win 80–1 Jackie Leamus UD 10 Oct 25, 1944 22 years, 36 days Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
80 Win 79–1 Chalky Wright UD 15 Sep 29, 1944 22 years, 10 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles
79 Win 78–1 Charley Lewis TKO 8 (10), 1:52 Sep 19, 1944 22 years, 0 days Auditorium Outdoor Arena, Hartford, Connecticut, US
78 Win 77–1 Joey Peralta UD 10 Aug 28, 1944 21 years, 344 days Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
77 Win 76–1 Lulu Costantino UD 10 Aug 4, 1944 21 years, 320 days Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
76 Win 75–1 Manuel Ortiz UD 10 Jul 17, 1944 21 years, 302 days Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US
75 Win 74–1 Willie Joyce UD 10 Jul 7, 1944 21 years, 292 days Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, US
74 Win 73–1 Julie Kogon PTS 10 Jun 6, 1944 21 years, 261 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
73 Win 72–1 Joey Bagnato KO 2 (10), 1:03 May 23, 1944 21 years, 247 days Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
72 Win 71–1 Frankie Rubino PTS 10 May 19, 1944 21 years, 243 days Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US
71 Win 70–1 Jackie Leamus UD 10 May 1, 1944 21 years, 225 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
70 Win 69–1 Harold 'Snooks' Lacey PTS 10 Apr 20, 1944 21 years, 214 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
69 Win 68–1 Leo Francis PTS 10 Apr 4, 1944 21 years, 198 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
68 Win 67–1 Sal Bartolo UD 15 Jun 8, 1943 20 years, 262 days Braves Field, Boston, Massachusetts, US Retained NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles
67 Win 66–1 Jackie Wilson UD 12 Apr 26, 1943 20 years, 219 days Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
66 Win 65–1 Angel Aviles PTS 10 Apr 19, 1943 20 years, 212 days Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US
65 Win 64–1 Sal Bartolo SD 10 Apr 9, 1943 20 years, 202 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
64 Win 63–1 Bobby McIntire UD 10 Mar 29, 1943 20 years, 191 days Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, US
63 Loss 62–1 Sammy Angott UD 10 Mar 19, 1943 20 years, 181 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
62 Win 62–0 Lou Transparenti KO 6 (10), 1:20 Mar 2, 1943 20 years, 164 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
61 Win 61–0 Bill Speary UD 10 Feb 15, 1943 20 years, 149 days Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
60 Win 60–0 Davey Crawford UD 10 Feb 11, 1943 20 years, 145 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US
59 Win 59–0 Allie Stolz UD 10 Jan 29, 1943 20 years, 132 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
58 Win 58–0 Bill Speary PTS 10 Jan 19, 1943 20 years, 122 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
57 Win 57–0 Vince Dell'Orto PTS 10 Jan 4, 1943 20 years, 107 days Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, New Orleans, US
56 Win 56–0 Joey Silva RTD 9 (10) Dec 21, 1942 20 years, 93 days Washington Hotel Auditorium, Jacksonville, Florida, US
55 Win 55–0 Jose Aponte Torres TKO 7 (10) Dec 14, 1942 20 years, 86 days Turner's Arena, Washington, DC, US
54 Win 54–0 Chalky Wright UD 15 Nov 20, 1942 20 years, 62 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Won NYSAC and The Ring featherweight titles
53 Win 53–0 George Zengaras PTS 10 Oct 27, 1942 20 years, 38 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
52 Win 52–0 Joey Archibald UD 10 Oct 16, 1942 20 years, 27 days Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, US
51 Win 51–0 Bobby McIntire UD 10 Oct 5, 1942 20 years, 16 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
50 Win 50–0 Vince Dell'Orto PTS 10 Sep 22, 1942 20 years, 3 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
49 Win 49–0 Frank Franconeri TKO 1 (8), 2:07 Sep 10, 1942 19 years, 356 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
48 Win 48–0 Bobby Ivy TKO 10 (10), 1:30 Sep 1, 1942 19 years, 347 days White City Stadium, West Haven, Connecticut, US
47 Win 47–0 Nat Litfin PTS 10 Aug 20, 1942 19 years, 335 days White City Stadium, West Haven, Connecticut, US
46 Win 46–0 Pedro Hernandez PTS 10 Aug 11, 1942 19 years, 326 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
45 Win 45–0 Joey Silva RTD 7 (8) Aug 1, 1942 19 years, 316 days Randolph-Clowes Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
44 Win 44–0 Abe Denner PTS 12 Jul 21, 1942 19 years, 305 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US Won USA New England featherweight title
43 Win 43–0 Joey Archibald PTS 10 Jun 23, 1942 19 years, 277 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
42 Win 42–0 Joey Iannotti PTS 8 May 26, 1942 19 years, 249 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
41 Win 41–0 Aaron Seltzer PTS 8 May 12, 1942 19 years, 235 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
40 Win 40–0 Curley Nichols PTS 8 May 4, 1942 19 years, 227 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
39 Win 39–0 Spider Armstrong KO 4 (8), 2:40 Apr 14, 1942 19 years, 207 days Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
38 Win 38–0 Johnny Compo PTS 8 Mar 18, 1942 19 years, 180 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
37 Win 37–0 Willie Roache PTS 8 Feb 24, 1942 19 years, 158 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US
36 Win 36–0 Angelo Callura PTS 8 Feb 10, 1942 19 years, 144 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US
35 Win 35–0 Abie Kaufman PTS 8 Jan 27, 1942 19 years, 130 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US
34 Win 34–0 Sammy Parrotta PTS 4 Jan 16, 1942 19 years, 119 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
33 Win 33–0 'Mexican' Joe Rivers TKO 4 (8) Jan 8, 1942 19 years, 111 days Casino, Fall River, Massachusetts, US
32 Win 32–0 Ruby Garcia UD 4 Dec 12, 1941 19 years, 84 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
31 Win 31–0 Davey Crawford UD 8 Nov 24, 1941 19 years, 66 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
30 Win 30–0 Buddy Spencer UD 4 Nov 7, 1941 19 years, 49 days Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
29 Win 29–0 Connie Savoie TKO 2 (8) Oct 21, 1941 19 years, 32 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US
28 Win 28–0 Carlos Manzano PTS 8 Oct 9, 1941 19 years, 20 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
27 Win 27–0 Jackie Harris TKO 1 (8) Sep 25, 1941 19 years, 6 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
26 Win 26–0 Eddie Flores KO 1 (8), 2:30 Aug 11, 1941 18 years, 326 days Carpet City Arena, Thompsonville, Connecticut, US
25 Win 25–0 Paul Frechette TKO 3 (6) Aug 5, 1941 18 years, 320 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
24 Win 24–0 Jimmy Gilligan UD 8 Jul 15, 1941 18 years, 299 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
23 Win 23–0 Eddie DeAngelis TKO 3 (8) Jun 24, 1941 18 years, 278 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
22 Win 22–0 Harry Hintlian UD 6 Jun 19, 1941 18 years, 273 days Red Men's Arena, Manchester, Connecticut, US
21 Win 21–0 Johnny Cockfield UD 6 May 12, 1941 18 years, 235 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
20 Win 20–0 Lou Puglese KO 2 (6), 1:30 May 6, 1941 18 years, 229 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US
19 Win 19–0 Joey Silva PTS 6 Apr 22, 1941 18 years, 215 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US
18 Win 18–0 Henry Vasquez UD 6 Apr 14, 1941 18 years, 207 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
17 Win 17–0 Joey Gatto KO 2 (6) Mar 31, 1941 18 years, 193 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
16 Win 16–0 Marty Shapiro PTS 6 Mar 25, 1941 18 years, 187 days Foot Guard Hall, Hartford, Connecticut, US
15 Win 15–0 Ruby Garcia UD 6 Mar 3, 1941 18 years, 165 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
14 Win 14–0 Ruby Garcia UD 6 Feb 17, 1941 18 years, 151 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
13 Win 13–0 Don Lyons KO 2 (6) Feb 10, 1941 18 years, 144 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
12 Win 12–0 Augie Almeida TKO 6 (6), 2:20 Jan 28, 1941 18 years, 131 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
11 Win 11–0 Joe Echevarria UD 6 Jan 13, 1941 18 years, 116 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
10 Win 10–0 Jimmy Mutone KO 2 (6) Dec 6, 1940 18 years, 78 days Stanley Arena, New Britain, Connecticut, US
9 Win 9–0 Frank Topazio TKO 5 (6) Nov 29, 1940 18 years, 71 days Stanley Arena, New Britain, Connecticut, US
8 Win 8–0 Carlo Daponde TKO 6 (6) Nov 22, 1940 18 years, 64 days Stanley Arena, New Britain, Connecticut, US
7 Win 7–0 James McGovern PTS 4 Oct 24, 1940 18 years, 35 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
6 Win 6–0 Jimmy Ritchie TKO 3 (6) Oct 3, 1940 18 years, 14 days Municipal Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
5 Win 5–0 Jackie Moore UD 6 Sep 19, 1940 18 years, 0 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
4 Win 4–0 Joey Marcus UD 4 Sep 5, 1940 17 years, 352 days Randolph-Clowes Stadium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
3 Win 3–0 Tommy Burns TKO 1 (4) Aug 29, 1940 17 years, 345 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
2 Win 2–0 Joey Wasnick KO 3 (4) Aug 8, 1940 17 years, 324 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
1 Win 1–0 Joey Marcus UD 4 Jul 25, 1940 17 years, 310 days Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Heinz, W.C., The Top of His Game, Library of America, 2015, pg 434
  2. ^ "AP Fighters of the Century List". Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  3. ^ "IBRO Rankings". Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  4. ^ "BoxRec ratings: world, pound-for-pound, active and inactive". BoxRec. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  5. ^ Pep, Willie and Robert Sacchi. (2008) "Willie Pep Remembers Friday's Heroes", 5–6. Arborhouse, Bloomington, IN. ISBN 978-1-4343-0182-6
  6. ^ Stanley, Bill. "The night Willie Pep fought Sugar Ray Robinson", "The Day", New London, 20 October 2002. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  7. ^ Pep, Willie and Robert Sacchi. (2008) "Willie Pep Remembers Friday's Heroes", 7. Arborhouse, Bloomington, IN. ISBN 978-1-4343-0182-6
  8. ^ "Willie Pep Gains Nod Over Kogon", Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York, pg. 12, 7 June 1944
  9. ^ "Pep Outpoints Julie Kogon", Star-Gazette, Elmira, New York, pg. 11, 7 June 1944
  10. ^ Kogon was in the featherweight range at 130 in "Pep Defeats Julie Kogon", The Troy Record, Troy, New York, pg. 16, 7 June 1944
  11. ^ "Willie Pep vs. Sandy Saddler (3rd meeting)". BoxRec. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  12. ^ "Sandy Saddler vs. Willie Pep (4th meeting)". BoxRec. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  13. ^ Myler, Thomas (2006), The Sweet Science Goes Sour: How Scandal Brought Boxing To Its Knees, Vancouver: Greystone Books, p. 34, ISBN 1-55365-233-9
  14. ^ "Pep's Name Should Grace Front Street". HartfordInfo.org. Retrieved March 29, 2016.
  15. ^ "Papaleo, William 'willie Pep'". Hartford Courant. November 25, 2006. Retrieved June 26, 2016.
  16. ^ PELLETIER, JOE (August 22, 2011). "Local skaters come together at Middletown's Willie Pep Skate Park". The Middletown Press. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  17. ^ BADILLO, JONETTA (October 19, 2011). "Willie Pep skate park dedicated in Middletown". The Middletown Press. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
  18. ^ "A touch of Hollywood in downtown Hartford | Camera rolls on Willie Pep film". November 17, 2021.
  19. ^ "Pep". IMDb.
  20. ^ Vivarelli, Nick (July 25, 2023). "Venice Lineup Includes Films by Bradley Cooper, Sofia Coppola, Ava DuVernay, David Fincher and More". Variety. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "Graves, Pep hit Deck More Than Dozen Times". Dayton Herald. Minneapolis. UP. July 26, 1946. p. 23. Retrieved December 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Champion Ends Bout In Eighth". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Minneapolis. AP. July 26, 1946. p. 17. Retrieved December 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ Lee, Bill (July 26, 1946). "Willie Pep Scores Knockout In Eighth Round Of Fight With Southpaw Jack Graves". Hartford Courant. Minneapolis. p. 15. Retrieved December 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. ^ Johnson, Charles (July 26, 1946). "Graves Kayoed in Eighth, But Sixth Rivals Firpo-Dempsey for Thrills". The Minneapolis Star. p. 11. Retrieved December 8, 2020 – via Newspapers.com. The third brought more toe to toe slugging with Pep inflicting his best punishment with a right to the body, but Jackie landed often enough to gain an even break.
  25. ^ Stradley, Don (April 2007), "Willie Pep: 1922–2006", The Ring, 86 (4): 71
[edit]
Achievements
Preceded by World Featherweight Champion
November 20, 1942 – October 29, 1948 		Succeeded by
Preceded by World Featherweight Champion
February 11, 1949 – September 8, 1950 		Succeeded by
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