I read the book Willie Pep remembers Friday's Heroes by Robert Sacchi. This book is my grandfather's favorite book hands down. He has insured it.a book.for $100 and has read it six times. This s explains why he was very reluctant to mail it some 10 states 1500 miles away, but I he finally decided too. I read the book quickly, finally understanding what he meant by "he couldn't put it down". I realize that was a literal speech. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!
This book was about someone named Willie Pep. Sadly I can say probably none of you know who he is. He was the greatest boxer who ever lived. Not Iron Mike Tyson, not
"the greatest of all time" Muhammad Ali. I am talking about the real greatest boxer who ever lived; Willie Pep. Guglielmo Papaleo, his real name, was born in 1922 and recently passed away in 2006. He was a featherweight boxer, only weighing 127 pounds! But although being a little guy, He showed true spirit and heart through his vigorous training and his momentous attitude. The motto of Pep was - "Always Do Your Best". Short and sweet, like boxing. But coincidentally, it worked out for him. Because if you always do your best, you will be the best you can be, which is the ultimate goal as a professional fighter. Pep had 241 fights, and out of all of them, 65 were knockouts, and only 11 were losses, most being if he were sick and persisted to fight. Pep was the hardest working fighter, and that caused him to be the greatest.
I took a lot away from this book. I realized nothing is enough but your best. I also saw that the key thing to focus on in any situation in life is yourself and how you
can improve. My this book, along with Willie showed me that boxing is not what its seen as, there hasn't been a fighter yet who hasn't been a little bit scared before the match, as Pep explained every has the same emotions because were all the same when you get down to it. My favorite quote was asked after Mayweather won the title "Mr. Mayweather, what do you like least about boxing?" Mayweather responds "uhh.getting hit". This book was inspirational and mind changing in many unprecedented aspects, I believe anyone can take something away from this book, even if you don't box. I recommend everyone who can pry it out of my grandfather's or any other 86 year old boxing fanatic's hands read it.
Thank you
David Donovan
Wow David, your grandfather must really LOVE this book. It is always interesting to see what the older generation likes to read. It is sad that Willie wasn't well known. The best players are the ones that have the most heart, and determination and it is such a bummer that they aren't recognized until after they are gone. You don't have to LOOK the best to Be the best. I am not a big fan of boxing, but I believe if I gave it more of a chance, I might find more to it than I stereotype it to be. Great work!
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