Tony Pep
Paul Dalrymple
Boxer possesses plenty of Pep despite age
By HERB ZURKOWSKY
The Montreal Gazette
Tony Pep was a Canadian boxing champion at the age of 20. Three years later,
he fought Tony Lopez, the first of four world champions he met in the ring.
By the time he was 27, Pep was the British Commonwealth champ.
Tonight at the Molson Centre, Pep, now 35, will box an eight-round
super-lightweight preliminary bout against Guyana's Keith Thomas. Perhaps
being relegated to undercard status isn't fair, but sometimes life isn't
fair, and Pep understands that better than most.
"I'm disappointed, but everything happens for a reason," Pep said yesterday.
"Don't close the book yet. I feel good and I look good, and until I get my
butt whipped, I won't retire."
Born in New Westminster, B.C., Pep grew up in east Vancouver, a
rough-and-tumble working-class area. Pep is a former street kid who
basically raised himself. He didn't know his father and his mother died of a
drug overdose when he was 12. From that point on, Pep was shuffled from one
group home to another. He often ran away to stay with friends, only to be
tracked down by social workers.
"I've had personal problems to deal with, but not to the point where it
completely destroyed my life," said Pep, 41-7-0 with 22 knockouts. "I'm
human. I've made mistakes, but have just dealt with it and come back from
adversity."
When he was 17, Pep was told he could live on his own and his rent would be
provided by the city, as long as he remained in school or got a job. To his
credit, Pep chose the former and went to the gym each day after class to
spar and train. Pep got a high-school diploma but, with no money, became a
pro boxer in June 1982, three months shy of his 18th birthday.
Pep readily admits boxing has been his saviour. "If not for boxing, I'd be
in jail. I've had my ups and downs, my share of hurdles. That's the way life
goes."
Pep has fought twice in Montreal. In December 1985, he defended his Canadian
featherweight crown against Ian Clyde, stopping Clyde in the 10th round. Two
years later, he successfully defended the title again, scoring a decision
over Serge Cusson.
Pep has been in the ring with champions Lopez -Êthe only fighter to have
stopped him in a non-title bout -ÊRegilio Tuur, Louie Espinoza, against whom
Pep captured the little-recognized International Boxing Organization title,
and, less than two years ago, Floyd Mayweather, the World Boxing Council
super-featherweight champ. Mayweather won a decision and Pep is one of only
five boxers to go the distance against the sensational champion, who's
undefeated in 22 bouts with 17 KOs.
Pep has acted and modeled, but has also worked as a grave-digger. He would
like to become a boxing trainer when he retires. He said he doesn't need
boxing, but believes he's not too old to become a world champion.
"Boxing is like a drug. Once it's in your system it's hard to get it out,"
he said. "I feel I can still hang with the best and still have a lot to
offer. I've been a pro for 18 years. I've fought four world champions and I
can still talk (coherently) to you. After 18 years, I'm still sharp as a
needle."
Pep is fighting on the undercard of an eight-round super-welterweight main
event between Fathi Missaoui and Greg Johnson. But clearly the star
attraction of the card is American lightweight Angel Manfredy, who has a
10-rounder against Guyana's Vincent Howard. Manfredy, 29-4-1 with 22 KOs, is
rated 12th by the WBC.
NOTES -The career of 35-year-old Montreal middleweight Alain Bonnamie is in
jeopardy after he underwent surgery on Feb. 29 for a detached retina in his
right eye. Bonnamie will know about his future after visiting with doctors
on Monday.
abc
Paul Dalrymple <Paul...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in article
<C49x4.1845$HN.9...@bgtnsc06-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>...
> "Don't close the book yet. I feel good and I look good, and until I get
my
> butt whipped, I won't retire."
Pep did get his butt whipped in his last fight against some journeyman .500
club fighter but was the recipient of one the worst hometown decisions of
recent memory. Stick a fork in this guy, he's done!
Gregory Gliedman
abc wrote:
And according to Durell Wambolt Pep only managed a draw in this prelim against
Thomas tonight.
Ozruss2
Eric Bernard
"Gregory Gliedman" <glie...@NOSPAMworldnet.att.net> a écrit dans le message
news: 38C601CC...@NOSPAMworldnet.att.net...
Durell Wambolt
Eric Bernard <eric...@videotron.ca> wrote in message
news:SWyx4.115$Zh....@wagner.videotron.net...