Known as "Will o' the Wisp" and "Willie the Wisp," Willie Pep was a dominant featherweight boxer in the 1940s.

Pep was born William Guiglermo Papaleo on September 9, 1922, in Middletown, Connecticut, near the city of Hartford. He was the son of Sicilian immigrants, Salvatore and Mary (nee Marchese) Papaleo. Pep grew up in a tough neighborhood. He took up boxing, in part, because he was tired of getting beat up by older kids and wanted to defend himself. After dropping out of Hartford High School at the age of 16, Pep made money by selling newspapers and shining shoes.

Began Amateur Boxing Career

Pep spent much of his time boxing as an amateur based at the Du-Well Athletic Club in Norwich, Connecticut. He boxed in 65 amateur bouts over a two-and-a-half year period, posting a record of 59 wins and three loses. In 1938, he won the Connecticut amateur flyweight championship. The...