Why Boxing Genius Willie Pep Was OTHERWORLDLY

Willie Pep will go down as the greatest defensive fighter ever to live. He pioneered the idea of stance switching in boxing and was the first man to popularize the style. His record sits at an insane 229-11-1.

[@rhythmboxing]

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[@FakeIntellect114]

“Do you know how good your defense has to be to survive a plane crash”? I’m dead ☠️

[@1984THEREALISRAEL]

¹⁷years ago...etc

[@dariogould3178]

Lmao

[@w4shep]

Was lucky enough to meet Willie at the Hall of Fame in '90. We had a drink together after the ceremony stuff. He was in his late 60's or early 70's and still would've picked a fight with anyone in that bar - and easily won it. Great champion! He even signed my tackle box 🙂

[@Connorparker155]

Have you still got the tackle box

[@championsmaterial]

You CANNOT have a conversation about the greatest defensive fighter ever to put on gloves and not mention Willie Pep. His ability to adjust, hell invent effective boxing strategies to outbox opponents, (Sandy Saddler not withstanding) was so impressive. Thanks again Rhythm Boxing. This one is a real treat for fight fans💪

[@hjjjjk8399]

Despite how people feel about mayweather ,he is definitely one of the best defensive fighters.

[@henrybrowne7248]

Mayweather was influenced by Pep--I've seen Floyd pull Pep-like moves, to escape corners, for example. Floyd was great for sure, but modern athletes always owe something to their predecessors, and build upon it.

[@patrickyoung2106]

Pep then Locche

[@TheGraveyShow]

My Great Grandfather was Willie's trainer. He grew up boxing in his gym in Hartford, CT. I've got stories!

[@MiguelGomez-ep9qr]

Woooooow!!👍👍👍👍🙏🥊🥊

[@z17seattle]

Go on story plz!

[@TheElbowMerchant]

My old Muay Thai coach used to say, "the best stance is no stance at all." He believed being able to switch between orthodox and southpaw seamlessly meant your opponent could never get a bead on you. It's confusing as all hell to learn, but effective if done correctly. Seems to be more common amongst Karate practitioners, but more and more MMA fighters are adopting the unpredictability of stance-switching in their standup.

[@mikei759]

“Mma” is trash.

[@colincampbell7928]

Marvelous Marvin Hagler was similar.😊

[@patrickbatman1908]

@@mikei759 How?

[@lowestcommonDenomanator]

@@colincampbell7928Hagler was brutal man, try to circle inside against him and he just keeps coming, switching into orthodox to keep hitting you. Hagler really was a modern day gladiator, he would’ve lead armies in a different age.

[@jeremyspencer426]

Agreed

[@SOLE_II_SOUL]

The thing amazing about Pep is, he could dodge, weave whilst STAYING in range.

[@SageMoss45]

Willie Pep is easily one of the greatest defensive geniuses of all time and easily a top p4p fighter, great video as always 🥊

[@CocaineCowboyJones]

Willie Pep's footwork was very effective in MMA too, the former UFC Bantamweight Champ Dominick Cruz coppied Pep's footwork and he bece champion because of that

[@sullyb23511]

Did Dominic Cruz admit to this?

[@CocaineCowboyJones]

​@@sullyb23511yes, i saw it on an interview, i think its from 2011

[@AB-ee5tb]

@@sullyb23511openly countless times. He credits Willie’s foot work as an inspiration

[@ipleathetv6334]

It’s well known and yes he did

[@TheLos821]

Men and stories like Willie Pep is what fascinates and draws me to the sweet science and the fight game. So much respect for this legend of the ring. 🥊

[@efraincarrera8395]

Pep really was a magician, now you see him, now you don't

[@thegreat1548]

You think you will but I know you won't.

[@seniordavidmanderson9232]

How great was Pep's defense? Just think about this, in a fight against Jackie Graves in 1946, he told ringside reporters, "Watch me, I'm going to win the third round without throwing a single punch." For the entire round he made Graves chase him desperately while he slipped, blocked and avoided every single punch that Graves took and missed widely. When the bell rang, he had won the round on all three judges' scorecards.

[@daltondammthebabe]

it was the second round but a good story

[@imadeyoureadthis1500]

Wow

[@henrybrowne7248]

Tyson did something similar in one of his fights.

[@henrybrowne7248]

Tyson Fury, I mean. How the heck does one edit these damn things?

[@jaydebeer7251]

I've seen Ray leonard do exactly the same and people cursed him 😆 🤣... funny how they praise one for being able to do it then curse another saying all he did was run.. 😆 🤣 couch potatoes just say whatever

[@shisuiuchiha4489]

Love pep, always had something special in his step…💀

[@komebakkyd2656]

The voice actor for all these videos needs to get a prestigious award for his work expeditiously

[@heruapocalypse2021]

I have tremendous Respect for The late Great Mr."Willie Pep".😎👍🏾

[@philoliver8156]

Oh yeah! (Macho man voice) I've been waiting for this guy! Thank you!!!

[@justineebourgeois3420]

Willie Pep is the true definition of an animal.

[@Daxxwabs710]

I appreciate the content like always. Love your work, you can feel the love you put into what you do. All beautiful work

[@jessebell1930]

Yet another brilliant video on another brilliant fighter who is largely forgotten in post-modern times mate👍👍👍

[@johnlewis3240]

Thanks!

[@johnlewis3240]

Thank you so much for bringing these past warriors to light for all of us to respect and admire

[@tristandaniel]

Great fighter! Probably the best sports comeback of all time. 100 something fights and champion - survived - started training again and went on to win 100+ fights 🔥

[@Payne33]

This guys videos are great man. He never misses awesome work as always

[@edwinbowles2]

Great video as usual!

[@chengezhussaini1464]

More than a defensive fighter, I believe Willie Pep is the greatest counter puncher of all time. His switch hitting stance was made for counter punching.

[@coachcal4876]

Pep! Thank you🎉

[@paulgentile1024]

so many great fighters back in the day..thank you

[@samyoung9365]

Sandy Sadler was an Extremely Dirty Fighter! I’m glad he didn’t get into the Boxing Hall of Fame! The First Sandy Sadler vs Willie Pep fight Sandy legitimately won. But considering Willie Pep fought after getting into a Plane Crash and Injuring his back was amazing. Pound for Pound Nobody Comes Close to the Boxing Record or Boxing Skills Willie Pep had. It’s Too Bad No one Taught Willie Pep to Punch with More Power. I’m not saying Willie Pep should of tried to become a Knockout Artist but to have at least 25 to 30% more Power behind his punches!!! But Willie Pep has the Best Professional Boxing Record of ALL TIME!!! His Complete Record was 242 Bouts, 230 Wins, 11 Losses, 1 Draw, 65 Knockouts.

[@punteroism]

He is in the hall of fame. What do you mean? I don't like him and think he should have been ejected from the match for arm wrench. But he still is a hall of famer.

[@samyoung9365]

@@punteroism Yes, he got into the Hall of Fame much later than Sandy Sadler wanted to! Sandy Sadler was Strong and could Punch but was Extremely Dirty against Willie Pep! I think if Willie Pep never got into that Aircraft Accident Willie Pep would most likely win 3 out of the 4 Fights that Willy Pep and Sandy Sadler had!!!

[@bobrawlins]

@@samyoung9365 I agree with that and if they fought today Sadler would have been disqualified in a couple of those fights but Willie beats him pre accident in my opinion.

[@samyoung9365]

@@punteroism Well he got in the Hall of Fame in the later part of his life. Sandy Sadler complained he wasn’t in the Hall of Fame because of Racism! I feel that the so called men who had the power to vote Sandy Sadler into the Hall of Fame made Sandy Sadler wait a long time because of his Extremely Dirty Fouling and Dirty Tactics against Willy Pep!!!

[@henrybrowne7248]

I wish I could find more footage of Pep . . There are some playbacks of shows he was on, including with Sadler, in the 1960s. Some of those fights against Sadler, though illegal by today's rules, were just incredible to watch. Sadler liked to hold and hit, as you showed here--I watched one fight of his against some guy in St. Louis, and it was showcased repeatedly.

[@lochnessspeedwerkz6557]

Not really todays rules. The marquess of queensbury clearly states holding is illegal. 🤷 The ref was trying to stop it but wth can you do?

[@henrybrowne7248]

@@lochnessspeedwerkz6557 Those fights were so wild! Sadler looked he was trying to kill Pep. My impression is that fights in those days were less well controlled.

[@i_i8924]

As a southpaw I can understand why they converted lefties; the distance is longer, encounters get awkward (lots of tie-ups) and usually makes for a boring fight (Orthodox fighter eats jab all night or Southpaw eats the cross majority of the fight).

[@PacsMental]

Huh? How Willie Pep defense so good he survived an plane crash, and said "nah im good suing the airline, ima keeping doing me" and still be a defensive genius??? Those dudes in the 20's-60's are built different vs today!

[@anthonytobias5459]

That is true they have crazy records like 300 fights

[@abudujana13]

Thanks for the video, RHYTHM BOXING

[@coolColombianguy]

Thanks to Willie Pep fighters now are adjusting better to opponents and making the fight game even better. The video content is Simply Outstanding!

[@pennywise1682]

Top 10 fighter of all time! Unbelieveable sense of space and timing

[@alfredyoung284]

Love the work. I would like to see one on bob foster

[@brucelang1201]

A name I've heard but had no idea or knowledge about the man this is great to know and inspiring

[@LIONTAMER3D]

The guy was from Sicily, old school tough; he won +50 in a row, lost 1 overweight non-title, then won +70 in a row; and Floyd Mayweather thinks he's the goat?! LOL!

[@NoName-zm1ks]

Sadler intentionally dislocated Pep’s shoulder?

[@Blacattacsquadron]

He did. And it's been done before, but now the foot clipping is more widely used. Loma, Andre Ward, Bernard Hopkins, Shawn Porter (which is why he's always looking at the ground before he throws a punch, in hopes of getting a flash knockdown).

[@Chris-tp8db]

Loved the video!! Would like to see one about Irish billy Graham.

[@c.galindo9639]

Ah yes. One of the GOATs. Willie Pep really is a remarkable boxer and clearly on another level. Even after a severe plane crash he still was able to perform well. What an outstanding person and great fighter. RIP legend

[@danielshanetzky3714]

Sandy saddler at a 4th fights he beat the crap at a Willie pep and three fights two or three fights Willie pep actually had to quit before the fight was over because Sandy saddler put such a beating on him so what are they talking about Stanley Sadler was much better than Willie pep

[@c.galindo9639]

@@danielshanetzky3714 yes but that is Pep after a severe plane crash. Imagine if he didn’t go through that

[@Dempsey1873]

​@@danielshanetzky3714chill there

[@TheMick126]

Good topic

[@trevkachel481]

Legend some man

[@tatax85]

Willie Pep and Nicolino Locche.. The best

[@derrickdubois7307]

There is so much I would love to say about this video. How couldnt I have known about Willie Pepp? I am absolutely astonished at the idea that boxing coaches actually made their fighters fight orthodox. I'm reconstructing my entire top 10 as we speak. I honestly wish I could triple like a video or super like it!! They should have different levels of liking a video!

[@DawnThief23]

Classic, best defense of all

[@FakeIntellect114]

This voice actor is freaking hilarious 😂

[@user-py7hr8ni8h]

he who hits and runs away lives to fight another day

[@kevinmaher9526]

Legend!

[@willismartin9196]

Willie Pep = BADDD MAN !

[@Razah.]

Pep and Robinson are the definitions of 'ahead of their time' but with these two, the time will never catch up with them!

[@elarrioguajardo208]

Another Willie Pep video to watch and enjoy!

[@yabbadabbindude]

🐐

[@marcedwards2464]

Da king 👑

[@grayrecluse7496]

Back when men were men.

[@christopherbellore3511]

229 wins, 11 losses, & 1 draw. I wonder if Mayweather has ever heard of Willie Pep? Floyd can keep his 50 & goose egg. I'm not impressed.

[@noceilings1]

Not impressed against flat footed white boys from the 40s Rigo would easily KO him Tank would KO him Haney would wash him Shakur would stop him Russell Jr would eat him 😈

[@noceilings1]

Not impressed against flat footed white boys from the 40s with part time jobs besides boxing Rigo would out class him Russell Jr would KO him Tank would KO him Shakur would stop him I see nothing special you see he loses when he fights blacks the superior race 😈

[@newagain9964]

Bruh. Mayweather living rent free in Ur head. And he got his whole camp and family and friends living there too. 😂 ur obsessed little man

[@marvelprince9893]

Amazing how people bring up Mayweather in fights that have nothing to do with him.. completely different era, plus Mayweather has been retired for years now

[@bigboicheese7365]

@@marvelprince9893 this guys just trying to measure floyd's career to pep cause his little fanboys constantly bring up his 50-0 record, which by the way are rigged(most i think) cmparing the greatness of other boxers to floyd is like comparing the strength of a kitten to a lion. Floyd only cared about the money and fights either les expierenced fighters or even fighting people past their prime like manny pac

[@mktf5582]

Len Johnson - Len Wickwar next please.

[@kmyattjr]

Man could we please get Diego Corales next?

[@garyhobbins4746]

athletic genius

[@leoperez1991]

You should talk about the best fights from Mexico vs Puerto Rico boxing history. You talked about how it started with Gómez and Sánchez. Now talk about the fights within that amazing history between the 2 nations

[@Blacattacsquadron]

Why??

[@chengezhussaini1464]

Started with Gomez and Zarate

[@enigma9971]

Despite Sandy having all the physical advantages, he still had to fight dirty to beat Willie. Smh.

[@JimOverbeckgenius]

Great fun to watch!

[@anandhund8148]

Bro please do Henry Armstrong I waiting for that

[@simonriddick]

Amazing stuff 👏

[@christophercox936]

Sugar Ray Robinson called him the greatest BOXER of all times.

[@TheZgriffin]

Would love a Sandy Saddler video

[@frankie3791]

The only time Sandy could hit Pep was when he was holding him with the other hand lol That would be a DQ today

[@Nenad-ICXC-Shuput-GFAMMA]

Put some pep in your step

[@bhivesc]

Wow

[@Mrnovanova]

I could see Jon Bernthal ,sorry if I butcher his name but the Punisher guy, play Willie Pepp in a biopic🙃

[@gragrn]

They called him Will of the Wisp, because he was there one second and gone the next!

[@mediterraneandiet2483]

The Legendary Willie Pep (Guglielmo Papaleo).

[@BenKellyMusic92]

Sandy Saddler doesn't get the recognition he deserves, a true master of dirty tricks! 😈🥊

[@jaypee1010]

Definitely “No Warning “ times.

[@jeremyspencer426]

They def fought alot bck then

[@imilliemedina666]

Sandy Sadler was a very dirty fighter

[@BeastSquad-uq1wh]

My top 16 favorite boxers of all time 1. Sam langford 2. Billy bird 3. Young stribling 4. Len wickwar 5. Willie pep 6. Ted "Kid" lewis 7. Nicolino locche 8. Marcel cerdan 9. Henry armstrong 10. Jimmy wilde 11. Joe gans 12. Barbados Joe Walcott 13. Joe louis 14. Packey mcfarland 15. Jimmy barry 16. Gogea mitu

[@kdlofty]

i did hear that he's the only boxer to ever win a round without throwing a punch. Don't know how true it is though.

[@williemoreno3010]

Sandy Sadler is one of the dirtiest fighter in boxing history. That's what he should be remembered for. Watch the video there's your proof. Seeing 👀 is believing. Not a HATER just calling it like it is. The truth will set you free.😂 sorry SANDY.

[@vincentfisher1603]

Supposedly, MMA fighters study his bouts.

[@GalactusOG]

He was the Dominic Cruz of his time. But Dom won his biggest rivalry.

[@Blacattacsquadron]

Liar.

[@Blacattacsquadron]

You're playing the race card clown!

[@joshuajarod1909]

0:19 Are you implying Joe Frazier was a converted southpaw? Is there evidence for this?

[@coypandora0795]

He was left handed

[@Sean-rawlins]

3:22

[@jesscarr17]

Choose a better thumbnail. This man was untouchable.

[@acyutanandadas1326]

Filipino martial arts 'arnis' 'escrima' 'kali use the triangular footwork

[@JC-to5by]

Most of the people criticising Saddler have clearly never seen their fights. Pep commited his fair share of fouling as well, perhaps even more than Saddler.

[@SpaceGhost67]

Nobody could touch him--literally

[@JT_SOG_513]

Sandy saddler : am I a joke to you ?

[@Dempsey1873]

To an extent yes. Very dirty. Sandler was great but dirty

[@Indian_Outlaw417]

The rules in those days were limited, to say the least..Lol..Those Sandy Sadler fights were a joke

[@marqueswilliams345]

Finally Sandy Saddler is getting some love

[@chriso1585]

I put Pep below Jimmy Wilde, although he was undeniably great he was just missing the punch then he would’ve been one of the very very best like the top 5 ever

[@bobrawlins]

Well this is the thing Pep would briefly change stances at points in a fight to confuse his opponents and his great feel for distance, his opponents positioning and timing allowed him to do this, but I will disagree with anyone who thinks that changing stances from orthodox to southpaw is a good idea for 99.9 percent of fighters. Why because you get very very good at fighting out of the stance you are dominate in and changing decreases your offense and the power you bring to bear at any one point in a fight. That left jab hand that you have turned into a whip doesn't work nearly as well as the right hand when you switch stances and becomes your power hand from the back hand. The right hand that you have been throwing power shots with doesn't have the same elasticity in the elbow when you try to throw jabs with it. It changes your timing and everything is awkward, backward and unnatural. Willy Pep got away with it just as Roy Jones got away with not throwing the jab lead in most of his fights but it doesn't work for most guys. If a fighter of mine wants to switch stances he better work on it on his own time and then prove to me that he can fight out of it effectively in real combat and then I will give him the green light.

[@survivingwatson7430]

this video is basically "why nobody should ever respect sandy saddlers career"

[@ToonsGoofyMemes]

Nah, even though he was a dirty fighter, he was the hardest hitting FW and definitely the 2nd greatest FW of all time.

[@survivingwatson7430]

@@ToonsGoofyMemes makes it worse that he was capable of winning and was too pussy to beat someone ina boxing match n made it something else dude aint sign up for

[@darbyheavey406]

Willie Pep was a better boxer than Ali…

[@ToonsGoofyMemes]

No doubt

[@user-ph7gz7nd1h]

So since you’ve done pep. Now saddler??????

[@VACartel]

🤣

[@jamesdean1143]

Despite his great defense, he still ended up with pugilist dementia.

[@ToonsGoofyMemes]

Yeah, but his case was especially late and less severe than that of a man eho fought 240 fights.

[@kidofsteel0362]

Actually Rocky Balboa won the championship as a southpaw in 1976 😊

[@DonBirnam]

That was just a movie bro, wasn't a real boxing match

[@jandro8370]

Willie Pep vs Sandy Sadler=Terrence Crawford vs Errol Spence

[@samyoung9365]

How? Both Bud Crawford and Errol Spence can Both Box and Punch Hard. Willie Pep could only Box Well. While Sandy Sadler could not Box Well but could Punch Hard and was an Extremely Dirty Fouling Fighter!!! You must be a Total Casual lol 😆!!!

[@MicahNstuff]

@@samyoung9365yea imagine my shock

[@devilface97]

​@@samyoung9365sandy was a good boxer. Being dirty doesnt make you a bad boxer, same as with zivic

[@samyoung9365]

@@devilface97 Fritzi Zivic was dirty also it’s called Cheating! Andre Ward was a Cheater also! It’s illegal! So you like when a Car Mechanic lies and cheats you out of money lol!!!

[@survivingwatson7430]

lmao saddler literally fought at a low ass weight just for advantages and still didnt do shit

[@karriemsharief]

Willie was great for his era but you can't compare old school fighters to the modern fighters. They were literally fight cab drivers and bar room brawlers.

[@TheQwertsy]

Real hard men

[@Dempsey1873]

Casual

[@ToonsGoofyMemes]

Casual. Guys back then fought to eat, nowadays mediocre boxers can get rich off of fighting journeymen

[@BATMANZ899]

Honorary top 10 boxer of all time ,Italian Muhammad Ali...BATMAN 1GOD ALLAH