The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-12-27
.FLEISCHER
 RATES PEP .1S45'S BEST
By JACK CUDDY United Pres sposts Writer

championship, was named Fighter of the Year today by me Rlng Magazine. which simultaneously tossed a grenade Into fhe light weight division by refusing to ac- knowiedge a i35-p0und champion in .is annual ratings.
 Pep of Hartford. Conn. who A recognized as feather champ by New York and associated states. gas given The Rings fighier-of- ihe- year award partially because he was the only champion 10 de- lend his tille successfully during the i2 months that were featured by hsiic prosperity and mediocre tal- ent
 Wee Willie received the coveted award also because he was unbeaten in seven non-tiile bouts. although held io a draw in one: and because his public relations were perfect" I" by virtue of service in both the Navy and Army.
 World Championship Open
 The Hartford Phantom" retained his l26-pound crown against Phil TerranoYa of New York, an out standing contender In oyer-the- weight matches, he beat Ralph Walton. Willie Roache. Paulie Jack son. Mike Martyk, Eddie Giosa and Harold Gibson. He was held 10 a draw by Jimmy McAllister, who weighed l32 pounds.
 Nat Fleischer. The Rings editor, commented tersely upon the deca- dent lightweight division in this fashion: The worlds champion ship Is open"
 This means that The Ring Maga- zine-the fight games most su- thoritative publication-refuses to recognize either Bob Montgomery or Ike Williams as champion. Montgomery, Philadelphia Negro, is recognized by New York State Williams, Negro of Trenton, N. J., has the blessing of the National Boxing Association.
 Wright Top Contender
 In The Rings copyrighted rat- ings. ancient Chalky Wright of Los Angeles is designated the No. box CT in the lightweight division, while Montgomery and Williams are rele- gated to fourth and fifth berths, respectively. Allie Stolz and Willie Joyce are given No. 3 and No. 3 rat ings.
 Referring to the selection of Pep as fighter of the year, F1eiScher pointed out that Connecticut Willie received stiff competition for the award from bantamweight cham pion Manuel Ortiz, middleWeights Jake LaMotta and Rocky Graziano, and welterweight contender Ray Robinson.
 Ortiz was rated tops among the worlds bantams; LaMotta was rat ed No. 1 middleweight, although the inactive Tony zale was ac- knowledged champion; Graziano was tabbed the best new fighter of the year and the most improved boxer; while Robinson was ranked No. 1 welter, notch above cham pion Freddie Cochrane.
 Jacobs Best Promoter
 Billy Fox, young Negro light heavyweight of Philadelphia, was proclaimed knockout king of 1945 because he now has 36 straight kayoes. With champion Joe Louis and Billy Conn on the sidelines, Tami MaurieVo of New York was named the years standout heavy weight because of his nine straight wins during the year.
 Mike Jacobs was named promoter of the year because he kept boxing on "a high level' and because he drew $2,197,755 with 43 shows at Madison Square Garden and 35 at St. Nicholas Arena.
 Fleischer noted that Graziano and Harold Greene of Brooklyn drew the years largest gate of $103,- 970 at the Garden. He tabbed the Fight of the Year"the first non- title encounter between Welter champ Cochrane and Graziano. The Round of the Year" was the 18th round between Willie Joyce and Ike Williams at the Garden, when Joyce stopped Williams.
 Champions who were inactive during the year because of service duties are acknowledged as title holders but not ranked among the fighters in The Rings annual rat- ings, which follow:
 Heavyweight - Champion, Joe Louis 1-Tami Mauriello, New York; 2-Jimmy Bivins, Cleveland; 3-Lee Oma, Detroit; 4-Elmer Ray, Tampa, Fla; 5-Bruce Woodcock, England; 6-Freddie Schott, Akron, O.; Arturo Godoy, Chile; B. Jersey Joe Wolcott; Camden, N. J.; 9-Joey Maxim, Cleveland; 10- Melio Bettina, Beacon, N. r.; H. Lee Savold, Paterson, N. J.; 12- Joe Baksi, Kulpmont, Pa.
 Light heavyweight - Champion, Gus Lesnevich. 1-Arche Moore, St. Louis; 2-Lloyd Marshall, Sac ramento, Cal; 3-Phil Muscato, Buffalo, N. Y.; 4-Freddie Mills. England; 5-Joe Kahut, Portland, Ore; 6-Herb Navo, Australia; Billy Fox, Philadelphia; 8-Nate Bolden, Chicago; 9-Jack Johnson. Australia; 10-Walter Woods, New York; 11-Ftzie Fitzpatrick, Oak Park, w. Va.
 Middleweight-Champion, Tony zale. 1--Jake LaMotta, New York; 2-Holman Williams, Detroit; g. Charley Burley, Pittsburgh; A. Rocky Graziano, New York; 5- Marcel Cerdap, France; 6-Bee-Bee Washington, Washington, D. C.; T. Steve Belloise, New York; 8-Jock McAvoy, England; 9-Marcus Lock- man, New York; 10-Wildcat George Henry, Los Angeles.
 New York: g. mCru'tu85ofo" fit