Willie Pep (Will o' the Wisp) was an American professional boxer. He was a featherweight world champion with 2 world-title wins. In a career spanning 25 years, 7 months, and 19 days, Pep amassed a record of 229-11-1, which includes 65 wins via KO, 5 of which were in world-title fights. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in 1990.
Willie Pep was born in Middletown, Connecticut, United States on September 19, 1922. He made his professional debut at the age of 17 years on July 25, 1940 against Joey Marcus. Pep defeated Marcus via 4-round unanimous decision, making a successful beginning of his pro career.
Pep became a world champion at the age of 20 after 53 professional fights. He challenged Chalky Wright for the The Ring featherweight title and defeated the champion via 15-round unanimous decision, winning his first world title.
Pep's last fight was a unanimous decision loss to Calvin Woodland at age 43, on March 16, 1966.
Some of Willie Pep's best fights were against Manuel Ortiz (HOFer) and Chalky Wright (HOFer). For a complete list of Pep's best fights and their details, refer to "Best fights of Willie Pep".
Pep has 11 losses on his record. For details about these losses refer to "Willie Pep Losses".
# | Date | Age | Opponent | Res | Via |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
241 | Mar 16, 1966 | 43 | Calvin Woodland | loss | UD 6 |
240 | Oct 25, 1965 | 43 | Ray Coleman | win | KO 5 |
239 | Oct 14, 1965 | 43 | Sergio Musquiz | win | TKO 5 |
238 | Oct 04, 1965 | 43 | Tommy Haden | win | TKO 3 |
237 | Oct 01, 1965 | 43 | Willie Little | win | TKO 3 |
236 | Sep 28, 1965 | 43 | Johnny Gilmore | win | UD 6 |
235 | Jul 26, 1965 | 42 | Benny Red Randall | win | UD 10 |
234 | May 21, 1965 | 42 | Johnny Gilmore | win | UD 6 |
233 | Apr 26, 1965 | 42 | Jackie Lennon | win | UD 6 |
232 | Mar 11, 1965 | 42 | Harold McKeever | win | UD 8 |
231 | Jan 26, 1959 | 36 | Sonny Leon | loss | UD 10 |
230 | Sep 20, 1958 | 36 | Hogan Bassey | loss | TKO 9 |
229 | Aug 26, 1958 | 35 | Al Duarte | win | UD 10 |
228 | Aug 09, 1958 | 35 | Jesse Rodriguez | win | UD 10 |
227 | Aug 04, 1958 | 35 | Luis Carmona | win | UD 10 |
226 | Jul 17, 1958 | 35 | Bobby Bell | win | UD 10 |
225 | Jul 01, 1958 | 35 | Bobby Soares | win | UD 10 |
224 | Jun 23, 1958 | 35 | Pat McCoy | win | UD 10 |
223 | May 20, 1958 | 35 | Bobby Singleton | win | UD 10 |
222 | Apr 29, 1958 | 35 | Jimmy Kelly | win | UD 10 |
221 | Apr 14, 1958 | 35 | Cleo Ortiz | win | UD 10 |
220 | Apr 08, 1958 | 35 | George Stephany | win | UD 10 |
219 | Mar 31, 1958 | 35 | Prince Johnson | win | UD 10 |
218 | Jan 14, 1958 | 35 | Tommy Tibbs | loss | SD 10 |
217 | Dec 17, 1957 | 35 | Jimmy Connors | win | UD 10 |
216 | Jul 23, 1957 | 34 | Russell Tague | win | UD 10 |
215 | Jul 16, 1957 | 34 | Manny Castro | win | UD 10 |
214 | May 10, 1957 | 34 | Manny Castro | win | UD 10 |
213 | Apr 23, 1957 | 34 | Cesar Morales | win | UD 10 |
212 | Jul 04, 1956 | 33 | Hector Bacquettes | win | TKO 5 |
211 | Jun 19, 1956 | 33 | Russell Tague | win | UD 10 |
210 | May 22, 1956 | 33 | Manuel Armenteros | win | RTD 6 |
209 | Apr 17, 1956 | 33 | Jackie Blair | win | UD 10 |
208 | Mar 27, 1956 | 33 | Buddy Baggett | win | UD 10 |
207 | Mar 16, 1956 | 33 | Kid Campeche | win | UD 10 |
206 | Dec 28, 1955 | 33 | Andy Arel | win | UD 10 |
205 | Dec 13, 1955 | 33 | Leo Carter | win | TKO 4 |
204 | Nov 29, 1955 | 33 | Pappy Gault | win | UD 10 |
203 | Oct 10, 1955 | 33 | Charley Titone | win | UD 10 |
202 | Sep 27, 1955 | 33 | Pappy Gault | win | UD 10 |
201 | Sep 13, 1955 | 32 | Jimmy Ithia | win | TKO 6 |
200 | Jul 12, 1955 | 32 | Hector Rodriguez | win | UD 10 |
199 | Jun 14, 1955 | 32 | Mickey Mars | win | TKO 7 |
198 | Jun 01, 1955 | 32 | Joey Cam | win | TKO 3 |
197 | May 18, 1955 | 32 | Gil Cadilli | win | UD 10 |
196 | Mar 30, 1955 | 32 | Gil Cadilli | loss | SD 10 |
195 | Mar 22, 1955 | 32 | Charley Titone | win | UD 10 |
194 | Mar 11, 1955 | 32 | Merrill Olmstead | win | UD 10 |
193 | Nov 01, 1954 | 32 | Mario Colon | win | UD 10 |
192 | Aug 18, 1954 | 31 | Til LeBlanc | win | UD 10 |
191 | Jul 24, 1954 | 31 | Mike Tourcotte | win | UD 10 |
190 | Feb 26, 1954 | 31 | Lulu Perez | loss | TKO 2 |
189 | Jan 19, 1954 | 31 | Davey Seabrook | win | UD 10 |
188 | Dec 15, 1953 | 31 | Tony Longo | win | UD 10 |
187 | Dec 08, 1953 | 31 | Billy Lima | win | KO 2 |
186 | Dec 04, 1953 | 31 | Davey Allen | win | UD 10 |
185 | Nov 21, 1953 | 31 | Sonny Luciano | win | UD 10 |
184 | Jun 05, 1953 | 30 | Pat Marcune | win | TKO 10 |
183 | May 13, 1953 | 30 | Jackie Blair | win | UD 10 |
182 | Apr 07, 1953 | 30 | Noel Paquette | win | UD 10 |
181 | Mar 31, 1953 | 30 | Joey Gambino | win | UD 10 |
180 | Feb 10, 1953 | 30 | Pepe Alvarez | win | UD 10 |
179 | Jan 27, 1953 | 30 | Dave Mitchell | win | UD 10 |
178 | Jan 19, 1953 | 30 | Billy Lauderdale | win | UD 10 |
177 | Dec 05, 1952 | 30 | Jorge Sanchez | win | UD 10 |
176 | Nov 19, 1952 | 30 | Fabela Chavez | win | UD 10 |
175 | Nov 05, 1952 | 30 | Manny Castro | win | TKO 5 |
174 | Oct 20, 1952 | 30 | Billy Lima | win | UD 10 |
173 | Oct 01, 1952 | 30 | Armand Savoie | win | UD 10 |
172 | Sep 11, 1952 | 29 | Bobby Woods | win | UD 10 |
171 | Sep 03, 1952 | 29 | Billy Lima | win | UD 10 |
170 | Jun 30, 1952 | 29 | Tommy Collins | loss | TKO 6 |
169 | May 21, 1952 | 29 | Claude Hammond | win | UD 10 |
168 | May 10, 1952 | 29 | Buddy Baggett | win | KO 5 |
167 | May 05, 1952 | 29 | Kenny Leach | win | UD 10 |
166 | Apr 29, 1952 | 29 | Santiago Gonzalez | win | UD 10 |
165 | Sep 26, 1951 | 29 | Sandy Saddler | loss | RTD 9 |
164 | Sep 04, 1951 | 28 | Corky Gonzales | win | UD 10 |
163 | Jun 04, 1951 | 28 | Jesus Compos | win | UD 10 |
162 | Apr 27, 1951 | 28 | Eddie Chavez | win | SD 10 |
161 | Apr 17, 1951 | 28 | Baby Ortiz | win | TKO 5 |
160 | Mar 26, 1951 | 28 | Pat Iacobucci | win | UD 10 |
159 | Mar 05, 1951 | 28 | Carlos Chavez | win | UD 10 |
158 | Feb 26, 1951 | 28 | Eddie Webb | win | TKO 2 |
157 | Jan 30, 1951 | 28 | Tommy Baker | win | TKO 4 |
156 | Sep 08, 1950 | 27 | Sandy Saddler | loss | RTD 8 |
155 | Aug 02, 1950 | 27 | Proctor Heinhold | win | UD 10 |
154 | Jul 25, 1950 | 27 | Bobby Bell | win | UD 10 |
153 | Jun 26, 1950 | 27 | Bobby Timpson | win | UD 10 |
152 | Jun 01, 1950 | 27 | Terry Young | win | UD 10 |
151 | May 15, 1950 | 27 | Asuncion Llanos | win | KO 2 |
150 | Mar 17, 1950 | 27 | Ray Famechon | win | UD 15 |
149 | Feb 22, 1950 | 27 | Jimmy Warren | win | UD 10 |
148 | Feb 06, 1950 | 27 | Roy Andrews | win | UD 10 |
147 | Jan 16, 1950 | 27 | Charley Riley | win | KO 5 |
146 | Dec 12, 1949 | 27 | Harold Dade | win | UD 10 |
145 | Sep 20, 1949 | 27 | Eddie Compo | win | TKO 7 |
144 | Jul 12, 1949 | 26 | Jean Mougin | win | UD 10 |
143 | Jun 20, 1949 | 26 | Johnny LaRusso | win | UD 10 |
142 | Jun 14, 1949 | 26 | Al Pennino | win | UD 10 |
141 | Jun 06, 1949 | 26 | Luis Ramos | win | UD 10 |
140 | Feb 11, 1949 | 26 | Sandy Saddler | win | UD 15 |
139 | Jan 17, 1949 | 26 | Teddy Davis | win | UD 10 |
138 | Dec 20, 1948 | 26 | Hermie Freeman | win | UD 10 |
137 | Oct 29, 1948 | 26 | Sandy Saddler | loss | KO 4 |
136 | Oct 19, 1948 | 26 | Johnny LaRusso | win | UD 10 |
135 | Oct 12, 1948 | 26 | Chuck Burton | win | UD 8 |
134 | Sep 10, 1948 | 25 | Paddy DeMarco | win | UD 10 |
133 | Sep 02, 1948 | 25 | Johnny Dell | win | TKO 8 |
132 | Aug 17, 1948 | 25 | Teddy Davis | win | UD 10 |
131 | Aug 03, 1948 | 25 | Teddy Davis | win | UD 10 |
130 | Jul 28, 1948 | 25 | Young Junior | win | KO 1 |
129 | Jun 25, 1948 | 25 | Luther Burgess | win | UD 10 |
128 | Jun 17, 1948 | 25 | Miguel Acevedo | win | UD 10 |
127 | May 19, 1948 | 25 | Charley Cabey Lewis | win | UD 10 |
126 | May 07, 1948 | 25 | Leroy Willis | win | UD 10 |
125 | Feb 24, 1948 | 25 | Humberto Sierra | win | TKO 10 |
124 | Jan 19, 1948 | 25 | Joey Angelo | win | UD 10 |
123 | Jan 12, 1948 | 25 | Jimmy McAllister | win | UD 10 |
122 | Jan 06, 1948 | 25 | Pedro Biesca | win | UD 10 |
121 | Dec 30, 1947 | 25 | Lefty LaChance | win | TKO 8 |
120 | Dec 22, 1947 | 25 | Alvaro Estrada | win | UD 10 |
119 | Oct 27, 1947 | 25 | Archie Wilmer | win | MD 10 |
118 | Oct 21, 1947 | 25 | Jean Barriere | win | KO 1 |
117 | Aug 22, 1947 | 24 | Jock Leslie | win | KO 12 |
116 | Jul 23, 1947 | 24 | Humberto Sierra | win | UD 10 |
115 | Jul 15, 1947 | 24 | Paulie Jackson | win | UD 10 |
114 | Jul 11, 1947 | 24 | Jean Barriere | win | KO 4 |
113 | Jul 08, 1947 | 24 | Leo LeBron | win | UD 8 |
112 | Jul 01, 1947 | 24 | Joey Fontana | win | KO 5 |
111 | Jun 17, 1947 | 24 | Victor Flores | win | UD 10 |
110 | Nov 27, 1946 | 24 |
Chalky Wright 34 171-43-18 | win | KO 3 |
109 | Nov 15, 1946 | 24 | Tomas Beato | win | KO 2 |
108 | Nov 01, 1946 | 24 | Paulie Jackson | win | UD 10 |
107 | Sep 17, 1946 | 23 | Lefty LaChance | win | TKO 3 |
106 | Sep 04, 1946 | 23 | Walter Kolby | win | TKO 5 |
105 | Aug 26, 1946 | 23 | Doll Rafferty | win | KO 6 |
104 | Jul 25, 1946 | 23 | Jackie Graves | win | TKO 8 |
103 | Jul 10, 1946 | 23 | Harold Gibson | win | TKO 7 |
102 | Jun 07, 1946 | 23 | Sal Bartolo | win | KO 12 |
101 | May 27, 1946 | 23 | Jimmy Joyce | win | UD 8 |
100 | May 22, 1946 | 23 | Jose Aponte Torres | win | UD 10 |
99 | May 13, 1946 | 23 | Joey Angelo | win | UD 10 |
98 | May 06, 1946 | 23 | Ernie Petrone | win | UD 10 |
97 | Apr 08, 1946 | 23 | Georgie Knox | win | TKO 3 |
96 | Mar 26, 1946 | 23 | Jackie Wilson | win | UD 10 |
95 | Mar 01, 1946 | 23 | Jimmy McAllister | win | KO 2 |
94 | Feb 13, 1946 | 23 | Jimmy Joyce | win | UD 10 |
93 | Jan 15, 1946 | 23 | Johnny Virgo | win | KO 2 |
92 | Dec 13, 1945 | 23 | Jimmy McAllister | draw | MD 10 |
91 | Dec 05, 1945 | 23 | Harold Gibson | win | UD 10 |
90 | Nov 26, 1945 | 23 | Eddie Giosa | win | UD 10 |
89 | Nov 05, 1945 | 23 | Mike Martyk | win | TKO 5 |
88 | Oct 30, 1945 | 23 | Paulie Jackson | win | UD 8 |
87 | Feb 19, 1945 | 22 | Phil Terranova | win | UD 15 |
86 | Feb 05, 1945 | 22 | Willie Roache | win | UD 10 |
85 | Jan 23, 1945 | 22 | Ralph Walton | win | UD 10 |
84 | Dec 05, 1944 | 22 |
Chalky Wright 32 162-36-18 | win | UD 10 |
83 | Nov 27, 1944 | 22 | Pedro Hernandez | win | UD 10 |
82 | Nov 14, 1944 | 22 | Charley Cabey Lewis | win | UD 10 |
81 | Oct 25, 1944 | 22 | Jackie Leamus | win | UD 10 |
80 | Sep 29, 1944 | 22 |
Chalky Wright 32 162-35-18 | win | UD 15 |
79 | Sep 19, 1944 | 22 | Charley Cabey Lewis | win | TKO 8 |
78 | Aug 28, 1944 | 21 | Joey Peralta | win | UD 10 |
77 | Aug 04, 1944 | 21 | Lulu Costantino | win | UD 10 |
76 | Jul 17, 1944 | 21 |
Manuel Ortiz 28 59-11-2 | win | UD 10 |
75 | Jul 07, 1944 | 21 | Willie Joyce | win | UD 10 |
74 | Jun 06, 1944 | 21 | Julie Kogon | win | UD 10 |
73 | May 23, 1944 | 21 | Joey Bagnato | win | KO 2 |
72 | May 19, 1944 | 21 | Frankie Rubino | win | UD 10 |
71 | May 01, 1944 | 21 | Jackie Leamus | win | UD 10 |
70 | Apr 20, 1944 | 21 | Harold Lacey | win | UD 10 |
69 | Apr 04, 1944 | 21 | Leo Francis | win | UD 10 |
68 | Jun 08, 1943 | 20 | Sal Bartolo | win | UD 15 |
67 | Apr 26, 1943 | 20 | Jackie Wilson | win | UD 12 |
66 | Apr 19, 1943 | 20 | Angel Aviles | win | UD 10 |
65 | Apr 09, 1943 | 20 | Sal Bartolo | win | SD 10 |
64 | Mar 29, 1943 | 20 | Bobby McIntire | win | UD 10 |
63 | Mar 19, 1943 | 20 | Sammy Angott | loss | UD 10 |
62 | Mar 02, 1943 | 20 | Lou Transparenti | win | KO 6 |
61 | Feb 15, 1943 | 20 | Bill Speary | win | UD 10 |
60 | Feb 11, 1943 | 20 | Davey Crawford | win | UD 10 |
59 | Jan 29, 1943 | 20 | Allie Stolz | win | UD 10 |
58 | Jan 19, 1943 | 20 | Bill Speary | win | UD 10 |
57 | Jan 04, 1943 | 20 | Vince Dell'Orto | win | UD 10 |
56 | Dec 21, 1942 | 20 | Joey Silva | win | RTD 9 |
55 | Dec 14, 1942 | 20 | Jose Aponte Torres | win | TKO 7 |
54 | Nov 20, 1942 | 20 |
Chalky Wright 30 143-33-17 | win | UD 15 |
53 | Oct 27, 1942 | 20 | George Zengaras | win | UD 10 |
52 | Oct 16, 1942 | 20 | Joey Archibald | win | UD 10 |
51 | Oct 05, 1942 | 20 | Bobby McIntire | win | UD 10 |
50 | Sep 22, 1942 | 20 | Vince Dell'Orto | win | UD 10 |
49 | Sep 10, 1942 | 19 | Frank Franconeri | win | TKO 1 |
48 | Sep 01, 1942 | 19 | Bobby Ivy | win | TKO 10 |
47 | Aug 20, 1942 | 19 | Nat Litfin | win | UD 10 |
46 | Aug 11, 1942 | 19 | Pedro Hernandez | win | UD 10 |
45 | Aug 01, 1942 | 19 | Joey Silva | win | RTD 7 |
44 | Jul 21, 1942 | 19 | Abe Denner | win | UD 12 |
43 | Jun 23, 1942 | 19 | Joey Archibald | win | UD 10 |
42 | May 26, 1942 | 19 | Joey Iannotti | win | UD 8 |
41 | May 12, 1942 | 19 | Aaron Seltzer | win | UD 8 |
40 | May 04, 1942 | 19 | Curley Nichols | win | UD 8 |
39 | Apr 14, 1942 | 19 | Spider Armstrong | win | KO 4 |
38 | Mar 18, 1942 | 19 | Johnny Compo | win | UD 8 |
37 | Feb 24, 1942 | 19 | Willie Roache | win | UD 8 |
36 | Feb 10, 1942 | 19 | Angelo Callura | win | UD 8 |
35 | Jan 27, 1942 | 19 | Abie Kaufman | win | UD 8 |
34 | Jan 16, 1942 | 19 | Sammy Parotta | win | UD 6 |
33 | Jan 08, 1942 | 19 | Mexican Joe Rivers | win | TKO 4 |
32 | Dec 12, 1941 | 19 | Ruby Garcia | win | UD 6 |
31 | Nov 24, 1941 | 19 | Davey Crawford | win | UD 8 |
30 | Nov 07, 1941 | 19 | Buddy Spencer | win | UD 6 |
29 | Oct 21, 1941 | 19 | Connie Savoie | win | TKO 2 |
28 | Oct 09, 1941 | 19 | Carlos Manzano | win | UD 8 |
27 | Sep 25, 1941 | 19 | Jackie Harris | win | TKO 1 |
26 | Aug 11, 1941 | 18 | Eddie Flores | win | KO 1 |
25 | Aug 05, 1941 | 18 | Paul Frechette | win | TKO 3 |
24 | Jul 15, 1941 | 18 | Jimmy Gilligan | win | UD 8 |
23 | Jun 24, 1941 | 18 | Eddie DeAngelis | win | TKO 3 |
22 | Jun 19, 1941 | 18 | Harry Hintlian | win | UD 6 |
21 | May 12, 1941 | 18 | Johnny Cockfield | win | UD 6 |
20 | May 06, 1941 | 18 | Lou Pugliese | win | KO 2 |
19 | Apr 22, 1941 | 18 | Joey Silva | win | UD 6 |
18 | Apr 14, 1941 | 18 | Henry Vasquez | win | UD 6 |
17 | Mar 31, 1941 | 18 | Joey Gatto | win | KO 2 |
16 | Mar 25, 1941 | 18 | Marty Shapiro | win | UD 6 |
15 | Mar 03, 1941 | 18 | Ruby Garcia | win | UD 6 |
14 | Feb 17, 1941 | 18 | Ruby Garcia | win | UD 6 |
13 | Feb 10, 1941 | 18 | Don Lyons | win | KO 2 |
12 | Jan 28, 1941 | 18 | Augie Almeda | win | TKO 6 |
11 | Jan 13, 1941 | 18 | Joe Echevarria | win | UD 6 |
10 | Dec 06, 1940 | 18 | Jim Mutane | win | KO 2 |
9 | Nov 29, 1940 | 18 | Frank Topazio | win | TKO 5 |
8 | Nov 22, 1940 | 18 | Carlo Daponde | win | TKO 6 |
7 | Oct 24, 1940 | 18 | Jimmy McAllister | win | UD 4 |
6 | Oct 03, 1940 | 18 | Jimmy Riche | win | TKO 3 |
5 | Sep 19, 1940 | 18 | Jack Moore | win | UD 6 |
4 | Sep 05, 1940 | 17 | Joey Marcus | win | UD 4 |
3 | Aug 29, 1940 | 17 | Tommy Burns | win | TKO 1 |
2 | Aug 08, 1940 | 17 | Joey Wasnick | win | KO 3 |
1 | Jul 25, 1940 | 17 | Joey Marcus | win | UD 4 |