Sandy Saddler
Encyclopedia
Joseph "Sandy" Saddler was an American boxer born in Boston
, Massachusetts
. He was a two-time featherweight
world champion, and also held the junior lightweight crown. Over his twelve-year career (1944-1956), Saddler scored 103 knockouts. He was stopped only once, in his second pro fight, by Jock Leslie. His final record was 145-16-2. In 2003, he was ranked #5 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
. The two first faced off on October 29, 1948. Pep was the reigning featherweight champion of the world, and coming into the fight boasted a record of 134-1-1 (43 KO). Saddler captured the title by knocking Pep down four times en route to a four-round knockout victory. This was only the second time that Pep was beaten, Sammy Angott beat him in 1943, and first time he was ever stopped in 137 bouts.
Pep then recaptured the crown on February 11, 1949 by outpointing Saddler over 15 rounds. Saddler regained the crown on September 8, 1950 by a TKO in the eight round. Pep quit after dislocating his shoulder. The pair fought their last fight on September 26, 1951. In one of the dirtiest championship fights ever fought, Saddler won when the fight was stopped in the tenth round.
Saddler fought many other notable opponents during his career. He knocked out future lightweight
champion Joe Brown
, as well as lightweight champions Lara Salas and Paddy DeMarco. Saddler beat lightweight champion Jimmy Carter
, knocked out future junior lightweight champion Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, and lost to Larry Boardman
.
in the 1970s, including Foreman's first Heavyweight Championship of the World reign. In 2003, he was ranked #5 on the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
Saddler died on September 18, 2001.
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. He was a two-time featherweight
Featherweight
Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
world champion, and also held the junior lightweight crown. Over his twelve-year career (1944-1956), Saddler scored 103 knockouts. He was stopped only once, in his second pro fight, by Jock Leslie. His final record was 145-16-2. In 2003, he was ranked #5 on Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
Professional career
G. Saddler is best known for his four-bout series with Willie PepWillie Pep
Guglielmo Papaleo was an American boxer who was better known as Willie Pep. Pep boxed a total of 1956 rounds in the 241 bouts during his 26 year career, a considerable number of rounds and fights even for a fighter of his era. His final record was 229-11-1 with 65 knockouts...
. The two first faced off on October 29, 1948. Pep was the reigning featherweight champion of the world, and coming into the fight boasted a record of 134-1-1 (43 KO). Saddler captured the title by knocking Pep down four times en route to a four-round knockout victory. This was only the second time that Pep was beaten, Sammy Angott beat him in 1943, and first time he was ever stopped in 137 bouts.
Pep then recaptured the crown on February 11, 1949 by outpointing Saddler over 15 rounds. Saddler regained the crown on September 8, 1950 by a TKO in the eight round. Pep quit after dislocating his shoulder. The pair fought their last fight on September 26, 1951. In one of the dirtiest championship fights ever fought, Saddler won when the fight was stopped in the tenth round.
Saddler fought many other notable opponents during his career. He knocked out future lightweight
Lightweight
Light-weight is a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight.-Professional boxing:The lightweight division is over 130 pounds and up to 135 pounds weight class in the sport of boxing....
champion Joe Brown
Joe Brown (boxer)
Joe Brown was an accomplished boxer who won the undisputed Lightweight Championship of the World in 1956, making 11 successful defences before losing his crown in his old age to Carlos Ortiz in 1962. Brown was a classic boxer and a knockout puncher...
, as well as lightweight champions Lara Salas and Paddy DeMarco. Saddler beat lightweight champion Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter (boxer)
James Walter Carter was a world lightweight boxing champion. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 2000. Carter's loss to Lauro Salas in 1952 and his loss to Paddy DeMarco in 1954 were each named Ring Magazine upset of the year...
, knocked out future junior lightweight champion Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, and lost to Larry Boardman
Larry Boardman
Larry Boardman is an American former lightweight boxer.-Biography:Board, who is Jewish, was managed by his father...
.
After boxing
Saddler retired from boxing in 1956, aged 30, after an eye injury sustained in a traffic accident. He later became a trainer and helped train the young George ForemanGeorge Foreman
George Edward Foreman is an American two-time former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Olympic gold medalist, ordained Baptist minister, author and successful entrepreneur...
in the 1970s, including Foreman's first Heavyweight Championship of the World reign. In 2003, he was ranked #5 on the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
Saddler died on September 18, 2001.