Willie Pep

Mark Allen Baker, business executive and author of hundreds of articles and more than 25 books, is the only person to serve the International Boxing Hall of Fame as an author, historian, chairperson, sponsor, volunteer and biographer. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame, and was accorded a Lifetime Award of Merit by the State University of New York in 2022.

“In glorious detail, Mr. Baker takes the readers back to Yesteryear…The author gives such vivid accounts of Pep’s battles, so much so, that the reader can literally hear the thump of the punches landed in those contests….Mr. Baker still repeatedly educates us with information that we never knew before. We cannot think of one author out there who researches a subject as diligently as the author does. Not only is his narrative absorbing, but his footnotes alone make for additional compelling reading. Willie Pep has been the subject of many books over the past 70-plus years, but never has his ring accomplishments been burned into the pages better than Mr. Baker’s work. If one had not been impressed with Pep’s amazing career before reading this text, then after reading, there will be further acclaim of Willie “Will o’ the Wisp” Pep….Mr. Baker is always one to bring up details that are unexpected….Willie Pep’s gutsy fortitude and immense talent shines brightly through the pages….We did not think it could be possible, but Mr. Baker outshines himself with this marvelous book on the incomparable Willie Pep. This book is highly recommended for super reading!!”—The USA Boxing News

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceIntroductionOne. A Machinist’s SonTwo. Establishing Proficiency, 1940–1941Three. The War Years, Part 1, 1942–1943Four. The War Years, Part 2, 1944–1945Five. Postwar Pugilism, 1946–1947Six. Ring Rivalry, 1948–1949Seven. The Pinnacle, 1950–1951Eight. Moving Forward, 1952–1954Nine. One Last Shot, 1955–1958Ten. Last Rounds, 1959–1969Eleven. The Seventies, 1970–1979Twelve. Retirement, 1980–2006Appendix A: A Canastota ScrapbookAppendix B: Guglielmo Papaleo—Boxing RecordAppendix C: Skills OverviewAppendix D: Official Records of Associated Members of the International Boxing Hall of FameChapter NotesBibliographyIndex