80 years ago
Willie Pep vs Phil Terranova
Date: 19th February 1945
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA
Title: NYSAC World Featherweight Title
Promoter: Mike Jacobs
Referee: Frank Fullam
Willie Pep
(
85
-
1
-
0
)
Weight: 124¾ lbs
Phil Terranova
(
36
-
11
-
9
)
Weight: 125 lbs
On February 19, 1945, Willie Pep, the reigning NYSAC World Featherweight Champion, successfully defended his title against former NBA World Featherweight Champion Phil Terranova at Madison Square Garden in New York. Pep, who entered the fight with an impressive record of 85 wins, one loss, and 0 draws, put on a masterful performance to secure a unanimous decision victory over the 15-round course.
The three judges at ringside, Arthur Donovan, Tom Guilfoyle, and Marty Monroe, all scored the bout heavily in favour of Pep, with scores of 10-3, 12-2, and 10-5, respectively. Pep's superior boxing skills and ring general-ship were displayed throughout the fight as he outmanoeuvred and out-boxed his opponent.
Terranova, born on September 4, 1919, in New York City, had a notable career leading up to his challenge for Pep's title. In his first sixteen matches between July 1941 and September 1942, he won eight bouts, lost only two, and drew six. Although former World Featherweight Champion Albert "Chalky" Wright knocked him out in June 1943, Terranova bounced back to capture the NBA World Featherweight Championship by defeating Jackie Callura in August.
However, Terranova's reign as NBA champion was short-lived. In March 1944, he lost the title to Sal Bartolo in a 15-round unanimous decision. Despite this setback, Terranova remained a top contender in the featherweight division, as evidenced by his victory over future NBA World Featherweight Champion Sandy Sadler in July 1946.
The Pep-Terranova fight, promoted by the legendary Mike Jacobs, showcased Pep's dominance in the featherweight division. With this victory, Pep solidified his status as the undisputed king of the 126-pound weight class and further cemented his legacy as one of the greatest featherweights in boxing history.
For Terranova, the loss to Pep was a tough pill to swallow, but it did not diminish his standing as a skilled and respected fighter. He would continue to compete at a high level in the years following the Pep bout.
