Guglielmo Papaleo

Guglielmo Papaleo was an American professional boxer known as Willie Pep who held the World Featherweight title twice between 1942 and 1950.

During his 26-year career, Guglielmo Papaleo boxed a total of 1,956 rounds in 241 contests, a significant number of rounds and bouts even for a fighter of his day. He finished with a 229–11–1 record and 65 knockouts. Pep, famed for his speed, grace, and elusiveness, is regarded as one of the greatest fighters of the twentieth century; after his 199th victory, Kid Campeche characterized his experience as "fighting Willie Pep is like trying to stomp out a grass fire."

In 1990, Guglielmo Papaleo was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. The Associated Press named Pep the best featherweight of the twentieth century, while the International Boxing Research Organization named him the best featherweight of all time in 2005. BoxRec presently ranks him as the 31st best pound-for-pound boxer of all time.

Guglielmo Papaleo stayed engaged in boxing after retiring, serving as an inspector and referee. Pep was inducted into the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1977. Pep died on November 23, 2006, after being diagnosed with dementia pugilistica in a Connecticut care facility in March 2006.

Guglielmo Papaleo ranks seventh in our list of the best boxers in history.

Born: September 19, 1922
Died: November 23, 2006

Nationality: American