Sandy Saddler
Born in Boston
Massachusetts, Saddler was, at 5’ 8.5” something of a featherweight
freak who exploited his exceptionally long reach for the full. Raised
in Harlem, New York, he had around 50 fights as an amateur before
turning professional at the age of 17.
A dynamic puncher with
both hands and an enthusiastic exponent of the left jab, Saddler was
a veteran of almost 100 fights by the time of his first world title
fight against Pep, a consummate ring artist who had lost just once
in 136 fights. Although Saddler later claimed he fought for little
more than training expenses.
Saddler began boxing professionally
in 1944. He won the world featherweight championship in his first
title fight, knocking out Pep in the fourth round on Oct. 29, 1948.
In his first title defense, a rematch with Pep on Feb. 11, 1949, Saddler
lost a 15 round decision. While awaiting another opportunity to fight
Pep, Saddler claimed the vacant junior lightweight (130 pounds; also
known as super featherweight) title by defeating Orlando Zulueta of
Cuba in a 10 round decision on Dec. 6, 1949. (The junior lightweight
title had been vacant since American Frankie Klick moved up to the
lightweight division in 1934, and the division was not officially
recognized again until 1959.) Saddler’s next two meetings with Pep
came in featherweight championship matches, both of which Saddler
won by knockout, in eight rounds on Sept. 8, 1950, and in nine rounds
on Sept. 26, 1951. Both bouts were marred by fouls. In 1952 Saddler
entered the U.S. Army. He did not resume his boxing career until 1954,
and he did not defend his title until Feb. 25, 1955, when he outpointed
American Teddy (“Red Top”) Davis in 15 rounds. Saddler’s next and
last championship match was on Jan. 18, 1956, when he knocked out
Gabriel (“Flash”) Elorde of the Philippines in the 13th round. Saddler
relinquished his world featherweight title and retired in January
1957 because of an eye injury that he sustained in an automobile accident.
He had a 162 bout record of 144 wins (103 by knockouts), 16 losses,
and 2 draws. Saddler was inducted into the International Boxing Hall
of Fame in 1990.
Saddler who went on to train world heavyweight
champion George Foreman in the 19790s, ended his feud with Pep by
boxing a one-round exhibition contest with his great adversary in
1973. By then Saddler was 47 and pep 50, but Saddler still took umbrage
over the fact that Pep was introduced first.
Elected to the
Hall of Fame in 1990, Saddler suffered a savage beating in a street
robbery and latterly developed Alzheimer disease. His final years
were spent in a nursing home; he is survived by a son, as well as
his perennial foe Wellie Pep.
Joseph “Sandy” Saddler, boxer,
born June 23, 1926; died September 18, 2001.