Willie Pep, Was Born in Middletown

Remembering Middletown native and international boxing legend Willie Pep, who was born in Middletown on this day September 19, 1922.

His real name was Guglielmo Papaleo and he’s considered to be one of the best fighters of the 20th century. Willie is rated one of the top 10 professional boxers of all time and widely regarded as the best featherweight boxer in history. The International Boxing Research Organization has ranked him the #1 featherweight of all-time. Nicknamed “Will o’ the Wisp for his elusiveness, he was known for his speed and finesse, and displayed a masterful defense that today’s fighters don’t come close to displaying.

During the on-going American war effort in World War II, Willie served in the Navy in 1943 and was discharged with honors in the spring of 1944. He also served in the U.S. Army in 1945. In 1977, he was elected to the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. In 1990, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as a member of the Hall’s original class. In 1994, he was among the first members inducted into the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame. In 2005, he was among the first members inducted into the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. Willie was ranked 6th on Ring Magazine's list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years in 2002. He was ranked 5th on ESPN's 50 Greatest Boxers of All Time list in 2007. He was also named the 3rd greatest fighter of all time by boxing writer and sports historian Bert Sugar. Willie 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.

He died on November 23, 2006 at the age of 84 and is buried at Rose Hill Memorial Park in Rocky Hill,

From Mike Vecchitto Who Posted On: I Grew Up In Middlettown On Facebook!