Sandy Saddler

Joseph "Sandy" Saddler (June 23, 1926 – September 18, 2001) was an American professional boxer. He was a two-time featherweight world champion, having also held the super featherweight title. Over his twelve-year career (1944–56), Saddler scored 104 knockouts and was stopped only once himself, in his second professional fight, by Jock Leslie. Considered to be one of the hardest hitting featherweights, Saddler was ranked number five on The Ring magazine's list of "100 Greatest Punchers of All Time". His nephew is Grandmaster Flash.

Professional career

Saddler is best known for his four-bout series with Willie Pep. However, he had 93 fights prior to facing Pep.

Early career Saddler turned Pro at Bantamweight winning his pro-debut & losing his second fight, he fought 10 more times at Bantamweight & had a record of 85-6-2 prior to facing Willie Pep, Saddler record included a loss to Phil Terranova & a Draw with Jimmy Carter

Facing Willie Pep 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 was the underdog & 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 eighth 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 several other notable opponents during his career. He knocked out future lightweight champion Joe Brown, as well as lightweight champions Lauro Salas and Paddy DeMarco. Saddler beat lightweight champion Jimmy Carter, knocked out future junior lightweight champion Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, and lost to Larry Boardman.

Professional boxing record

Titles in boxing Major world titles NYSAC featherweight champion (126 lbs) (2×) NBA (WBA) featherweight champion (126 lbs) (2×) NBA (WBA) super featherweight champion (130 lbs)

The Ring magazine titles The Ring featherweight champion (126 lbs) (2×)

Undisputed titles Undisputed featherweight champion (2×)

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 Foreman in the 1970s, including Foreman's first reign as world heavyweight champion. In 2003, he was ranked #5 on the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

In 1990, Saddler was inducted into the prestigious International Boxing Hall of Fame. He is the uncle of Joseph Saddler, better known as Grandmaster Flash. Saddler died on September 18, 2001.