76 years ago

Date: 24th February 1948

Venue: Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida

Title: World Featherweight Title

Promoter: Clarence Kantrowitz

Willie Pep
( 122 - 1 - 1 )
Weight: 125½ lbs

Humberto Sierra
( 40 - 7 - 3 )
Weight: 126 lbs

Despite heavy rain falling on the open-air arena at the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, in front of 10,000 spectators, Pep successfully defended his world featherweight title for the sixth time against top ten contender from Cuba, Humberto Sierra. 

The fight lasted until 0:22 seconds into the 10th round, when referee and former world heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey stopped the contest after Sierra hit the canvas. Sierra had also been down in the second round but battled back bravely to keep the fight close until the 6th round. After that, Pep took control and went for the finish in the 10th round. 

Sierra, who was born in Havana, Cuba, turned pro in 1941 and fought until 1952. His first two pro bouts were over the 5-round distance in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He won both on points. The next 24 bouts took place in his homeland of Cuba. By now, Sierra had built a record of 21 wins, 3 defeats, and two draws.

He then travelled to Guadalajara, Mexico, to face Alvaro Estrada, winning a 10-round point decision. Six fights followed in California. He won four fights against quality opposition before a devastating first-round knockout at the hands of Enrique Bolanos at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. A 10-round decision loss to Ritchie Shinn followed at The National Hall, San Francisco.

A confidence-boosting trip to Mexico City came next as Sierra picked up a 6th round knockout of the inexperienced Beto Garcia (0-1-0).

Sierra moved his base to Miami, Florida and ran up 11 wins, one loss, and one draw record that led to his shot at Willie Pep's world featherweight crown. The loss to Nick Stato at Miami's Civic Center Arena happened when Sierra suffered a nasty cut from an accidental head clash, and the referee stopped the fight. Stato was ahead on points at the time of the stoppage. But wins over former NBA world featherweight champion Jackie Callura, Dennis Pat Brady, and Lulu Costantino sealed the deal for the Pep fight.