Willie Pep vs. Tommy Tibbs

Willie Pep 130 lbs lost to Tommy Tibbs 131 lbs by SD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1958-01-14
• Location: Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Referee: Eddie Curley 96-97
• Judge: Joe Heirty 97-98
• Judge: Joe Santarpio 96-95

"While Tommy Tibbs savors his victory over Willie Pep, the former featherweight champion proclaims he is not going to retire. Tibbs, the 23 year old newsboy from Boston, won a close split 10 round decision over Pep Tuesday night at Mechanics Building." -Associated Press

• This loss for Pep broke his 21 bout unbeaten streak.

Post fight comments

• "I thought I won by a bigger margin. I didn't think I was going to be able to hit him as often as I did." -Tommy Tibbs

• "I'm not thinking about retiring. If Tibbs had beaten me solidly, I might have given retirement more thought - but I'm not going to retire. I thought I won the fight by a slight margin." -Willie Pep