Saddler, "Sandy" (Joseph)

Boxing

b. Feb. 25, 1926, Boston, MA
d. Sept. 18, 2001

Career Record

Other Resources

Unusually tall for a featherweight at 5-foot-8½, Saddler had a 70-inch reach and a powerful punch. After winning 16 of 17 amateur bouts, he turned professional on March 7, 1944, winning an 8-round decision over Earl Roys. In his second fight, he was knocked out in the 3rd round by Jock Leslie, the only knockout he ever suffered.

After scoring 56 knockouts in 94 fights, Saddler met Willie Pep for the world featherweight championship on October 29, 1948. It was the first of four fights between the two. Pep was heavily favored, but Saddler won the title with a 4th-round knockout. In a rematch on February 11, 1949, Pep regained the title on a 15-round decision.

Saddler won the vacant junior lightweight championship by decisioning Orlando Zulueta in 10 rounds on December 6, 1949, and he regained the featherweight title when Pep failed to come out for the 8th round because of a shoulder injury on September 8, 1950.

The fourth match, on September 26, 1951, was a brutal, foul-filled brawl. The fighters twice wrestled one another to the floor, once taking the referee with them. Pep was forced to retire before the 10th round with a bad cut under his eye, which he claimed had been caused by Saddler's thumb. Both were suspended for six months by the New York State Athletic Commission.

Saddler remained champion until failing vision, caused by an auto accident, forced his retirement in January of 1957. He won 144 bouts, 103 by knockout; lost 16, 1 by knockout; and fought 2 draws.

International Boxing Hall of Fame