SANDY SADDLER
Born Joe Saddler of West Indian parents June 12, 1926, and raised in
New York’s Harlem, Saddler had about 50 amateur fights before turning
pro in 1944. He was 75-6-2 when he finally got a featherweight title
shot against Willie Pep on Oct. 29, 1948. Pep’s record was 135-1-1.
Saddler, elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, was one of the
hardest punching small men in boxing history. He had a career record
of 144-16-2 with 103 knockouts and held the featherweight title twice.
He had a memorable four fights series with Willie Pep, knocking Pep out
three times.
Saddler dominated the match in Madison Square Garden, cutting Pep in
the first round, knocking him down twice in the third and knocking him
out in the fourth. The rematch was held in the Garden Feb. 11, 1949,
and Pep, on what he called his greatest night, regained the title on
a 15 round decision.
On Dec. 6, 1949, Saddler won the vacant junior lightweight title on
a 10 round decision over Orlando Zulueta at Cleveland and defended
it twice before the 130-pound weight class was dropped in 1951.
It was restored in 1959.
Saddler twice beat Pep in round- and – tumble featherweight title fights in New York.
He regained the title when Pep couldn’t come out for the eight round Sept. 8, 1950,
and defended it, stopping Pep in the ninth round Sept. 26, 1951. The 1951 fight was
so rough; the New York State Athletic Commission suspended both men briefly.
Saddler was still world featherweight champion when he retired in 1957 after sustaining
a serious eye injury when a taxi in which he was riding was involved in an accident.
Saddler became a boxing trainer and worked with many pros, including heavyweight
champion George Foreman in the 1970’s.
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Joseph Saddler was, at 5ft 8.5in, He exploited his
exceptionally long reach to the full. Raised in Harlem, New York he had around 50
fights as an amateur before turning professional at the age of 17.
Sandy Saddler died in his sleep on Sept. 18, 2001 at Schervier Nursing Home, where
he lived after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 75.
Sandy Saddler
Alias Joseph (Joey) Saddler
Country United States
Hometown Boston, MA
Birthplace Boston, MA
Division Featherweight
Born 1926-06-23
Stance Orthodox
Reach 70"
Height 174
Manager Charley Johnston
Career Record
Date Opponent Location Result
1944-03-07 Earl Roys Hartford, CT, USA W PTS 8
1944-03-21 Jock Leslie Hartford, CT, USA L TKO 3
1944-03-27 Al King Holyoke, MA, USA W KO 2
1944-04-17 Joe Landry Holyoke, MA, USA W KO 1
1944-05-08 Jose Aponte Torres Trenton, NJ, USA W PTS 6
1944-05-15 Jose Aponte Torres Holyoke, MA, USA W PTS 6
1944-05-23 Domingo Diaz Jersey City, NJ, USA W PTS 6
1944-06-13 Jose Aponte Torres Union City, PA, USA W PTS 8
1944-06-15 Lou Alter Brooklyn, NY, USA L PTS 6
1944-06-23 Lou Alter New York, NY, USA D PTS 4
1944-07-11 Clyde English Woodhaven, NY, USA W PTS 6
1944-07-18 Benny Saladino Brooklyn, NY, USA W KO 3
1944-07-25 Al Pennino Brooklyn, NY, USA W PTS 6
1944-08-08 George Knox Brooklyn, NY, USA W KO 3
1944-08-18 Clifford Smith New York, NY, USA W PTS 6
1944-11-11 Manuel Torres Brooklyn, NY, USA W PTS 6
1944-11-13 Ken Tompkins Newark, NJ, USA W KO 1
1944-11-24 Manuel Torres New York, NY, USA W KO 5
1944-11-28 Percy (Cabey) Lewis Jersey City, NJ, USA W KO 1
1944-12-12 Tony Oshiro Jersey City, NJ, USA W KO 2
1944-12-16 Earl Mintz Brooklyn, NY, USA W KO 2
1944-12-26 Midget Mayo Newark, NJ, USA W KO 3
1945-01-13 Tony Oshiro Brooklyn, NY, USA W PTS 6
1945-01-15 Mickey Johnson Newark, NJ, USA W KO 1
1945-01-22 Joey Puig New York, NY, USA W KO 1
1945-01-26 Benny May New Brunswick, NJ, USA W PTS 6
1945-02-19 Joey Gatto New York, NY, USA W KO 1
1945-03-10 Harold Gibson Brooklyn, NY, USA W PTS 6
1945-03-19 Joe Montiero New York, NY, USA W KO 4
1945-03-22 George Knox Camden, NJ, USA W KO 4
1945-04-02 Jimmie Allen Newark, NJ, USA W KO 1
1945-04-19 Wilie Anderson Detroit, MI, USA W KO 5
1945-04-30 Chilindri Valencia Detroit, MI, USA W KO 9
1945-06-18 Caswell Harris Baltimore, MD, USA W KO 3
1945-06-25 Bobby Washington Allentown, PA, USA W KO 2
1945-06-29 Leo Methot New York, NY, USA W KO 1
1945-07-23 Herb (Biff) Jones Baltimore, MD, USA W KO 3
1945-07-24 Joe Montiero Brooklyn, NY, USA W KO 5
1945-07-30 Luis Rivera New York, NY, USA W KO 4
1945-08-16 Lou Langley Brooklyn, NY, USA W KO 1
1945-08-20 Bobby English Providence, RI, USA W KO 3
1945-08-27 Earl Mintz Providence, RI, USA W KO 1
1945-09-21 Richie Miyashiro New York, NY, USA W PTS 6
1945-12-03 Benny Daniels Holyoke, MA, USA W PTS 6
1945-12-14 Joe Montiero Boston, MA, USA W PTS 8
1945-12-21 Filberto Osario New York, NY, USA W PTS 6
1946-01-17 Arbie Bowie Orange, NJ, USA W KO 1
1946-02-18 Bobby McQuillar Detroit, MI, USA L UD 10
1946-04-08 Ralph LaSalle New York, NY, USA W KO 1
1946-04-11 Johnny Wolgast Atlantic City, NJ, USA W PTS 8
1946-04-25 Pedro Firpo Atlantic City, NJ, USA W PTS 8
1946-06-13 Cedric Flournoy Detroit, MI, USA W KO 4
1946-07-10 Georgie Cooper Brooklyn, NY, USA W KO 7
1946-07-23 Phil Terranova Detroit, MI, USA L PTS 10
1946-08-05 Dom Amoroso Providence, RI, USA W KO 2
1946-08-22 Pedro Firpo Brooklyn, NY, USA W PTS 10
1946-10-10 Jose Rodriguez Atlantic City, NJ, USA W KO 3
1946-11-12 Art Price Detroit, MI, USA W PTS 10
1946-12-09 Clyde English Holyoke, MA, USA W KO 3
1946-12-26 Luis Marquez New York, NY, USA W KO 2
1946-12-30 Leonard Ceasar Newark, NJ, USA W KO 2
1947-01-20 George Brown Holyoke, MA, USA W KO 4
1947-01-27 Humberto Zavala New York, NY, USA W KO 7
1947-02-07 Larry Thomas Asbury Park, NJ, USA W KO 2
1947-03-08 Leonardo Lopez Mexico City, Mexico W KO 2
1947-03-29 Carlos Malacara Mexico City, Mexico W PTS 10
1947-04-14 Charley (Cabey) Lewis New York, NY, USA W PTS 10
1947-05-02 Joe Brown New Orleans, LA, USA W TKO 3
1947-05-09 Melvin Bartholomew New Orleans, LA, USA W PTS 10
1947-06-03 Jimmy Carter Washington, DC, USA D PTS 10
1947-07-26 Oscar Calles Caracas, Venezuela W KO 5
1947-08-14 Leslie Harris Atlantic City, NJ, USA W KO 5
1947-08-29 Miguel Acevedo New York, NY, USA W KO 7
1947-09-17 Angelo Ambrosano Jamaica, NY, USA W KO 2
1947-10-03 Humberto Sierra Minneapolis, MN, USA L PTS 10
1947-10-13 Al Pennino New York, NY, USA W KO 4
1947-10-26 Lino Garcia Caracas, Venezuela W KO 5
1947-11-09 Emilio Sanchez Caracas, Venezuela W KO 5
1947-12-05 Lino Garcia Havana, Cuba W KO 3
1947-12-13 Orlando Zulueta Havana, Cuba W PTS 10
1948-02-02 Charley Noel Holyoke, MA, USA W PTS 10
1948-02-09 Joey Angelo New York, NY, USA W UD 10
1948-03-05 Archie Wilmer New York, NY, USA W PTS 8
1948-03-08 Thompson Harmon Holyoke, MA, USA W KO 8
1948-03-23 Bobby Timpson Hartford, CT, USA W PTS 10
1948-04-10 Luis Monagas Caracas, Venezuela W KO 3
1948-04-17 Jose Alberto Diaz Caracas, Venezuela W KO 8
1948-04-26 Young Tanner Oranjestad, Aruba W KO 5
1948-05-24 Harry LaSane Holyoke, MA, USA W PTS 10
1948-06-29 Chico Rosa Honolulu, HI, USA L PTS 10
1948-08-16 Kid Zefine Panama City, Panama W KO 2
1948-08-23 Aquilino Allen Panama City, Panama W KO 2
1948-10-11 Willie Roache New Haven, CT, USA W KO 3
1948-10-29 Willie Pep New York, NY, USA W KO 4
National Boxing Association World Featherweight Title
1948-11-19 Tomas Beato Bridgeport, CT, USA W TKO 2
1948-11-29 Dennis (Pat) Brady Boston, MA, USA W UD 10
1948-12-07 Eddie Giosa Cleveland, OH, USA W KO 2
1948-12-17 Terry Young New York, NY, USA W TKO 10
1949-01-17 Young Finnegan Panama City, Panama W KO 5
1949-02-11 Willie Pep New York, NY, USA L UD 15
National Boxing Association World Featherweight Title
1949-03-21 Felix Ramirez Newark, NJ, USA W PTS 10
1949-04-18 Ermano Bonetti Philadelphia, PA, USA W KO 2
1949-06-02 Jim Keery White City London, Engla W KO 2
1949-06-23 Luis Ramos Long Island City, NY, USA W KO 5
1949-07-15 Chief (Gordon) House Long Beach, NY, USA W TKO 5
1949-08-02 Chuck Burton Pittsfield, MA, USA W KO 5
1949-08-08 Johnny Rowe Brooklyn, NY, USA W TKO 8
1949-08-23 Alfredo Escobar Los Angeles, CA, USA W KO 9
1949-09-02 Harold Dade Chicago, IL, USA W PTS 10
1949-09-20 Proctor Heinhold Schenectady, NY, USA W KO 2
1949-10-28 Paddy DeMarco New York, NY, USA W TKO 9
1949-11-07 Leroy Willis Toledo, OH, USA W UD 10
1949-11-21 Chuck Burton Minneapolis, MN, USA W PTS 8
1949-12-06 Orlando Zulueta Cleveland, OH, USA W SD 10
1950-01-16 Paulie Jackson Caracas, Venezuela W KO 1
1950-01-22 Pedro Firpo Caracas, Venezuela W KO 1
1950-02-06 Chuck Burton Holyoke, MA, USA W KO 1
1950-02-20 Luis Ramos Toronto, Ontario, Canada W TKO 3
1950-04-10 Reuben Davis Newark, NJ, USA W TKO 7
1950-04-18 Lauro Salas Cleveland, OH, USA W TKO 9
1950-04-29 Jesse Underwood Waterbury, CT, USA W PTS 10
1950-05-25 Miguel Acevedo Minneapolis, MN, USA W TKO 6
1950-06-19 Johnny Forte Toronto, Ontario, Canada W KO 3
1950-06-30 Leroy Willis Long Beach, NY, USA W TKO 2
1950-09-08 Willie Pep Bronx, NY, USA W TKO 8
National Boxing Association World Featherweight Title
1950-10-12 Harry LaSane St. Louis, MO, USA W PTS 10
1950-11-01 Charley Riley St. Louis, MO, USA W MD 10
1950-12-06 Del Flanagan Detroit, MI, USA L UD 10
1951-01-23 Jesse Underwood Buffalo, NY, USA W UD 10
1951-02-28 Diego Sosa Havana, Cuba W KO 2
1951-03-27 Lauro Salas Los Angeles, CA, USA W TKO 6
1951-04-03 Freddie (Babe) Herman Los Angeles, CA, USA W KO 5
1951-05-05 Harry LaSane Hershey, PA, USA W UD 10
1951-06-02 Alfredo Prada Buenos Aires, Argentina W KO 4
1951-06-16 Oscar Flores Buenos Aires, Argentina W KO 1
1951-06-22 Mario Salinas Santiago, Chile W KO 5
1951-06-30 Angel Olivieri Buenos Aires, Argentina W KO 5
1951-08-20 Hermie Freeman Philadelphia, PA, USA W TKO 5
1951-08-27 Paddy DeMarco Milwaukee, WI, USA L SD 10
1951-09-26 Willie Pep New York, NY, USA W TKO 9
National Boxing Association World Featherweight Title
1951-12-07 Paddy DeMarco New York, NY, USA L SD 10
1952-01-14 George Araujo Boston, MA, USA L UD 10
1952-03-03 Armand Savoie Montreal, Quebec, Canada L DQ 4
1952-03-17 Tommy Collins Boston, MA, USA W TKO 5
1954-01-15 Bill Bossio New York, NY, USA W TKO 9
1954-03-04 Charlie Slaughter Akron, OH, USA W KO 4
1954-04-01 Augie Salazar Boston, MA, USA W KO 7
1954-05-17 Hoacine Khalfi New York, NY, USA L SD 10
1954-07-05 Libby Manzo New York, NY, USA W KO 10
1954-08-30 Jackie Blair Caracas, Venezuela W KO 1
1954-09-27 Baby Neff Ortiz Caracas, Venezuela W KO 3
1954-10-25 Ray Famechon Paris, France W TKO 6
1954-12-10 Bobby Woods Spokane, WA, USA W PTS 10
1955-01-17 Lulu Perez Boston, MA, USA W KO 4
1955-02-25 Teddy (Redtop) Davis New York, NY, USA W UD 15
National Boxing Association World Featherweight Title
1955-04-05 Kenny Davis Butte, MT, USA W KO 5
1955-05-24 Joe Lopes Sacramento, CA, USA L UD 10
1955-07-08 Shigeji Kaneko Tokyo, Japan W TKO 6
1955-07-20 Gabriel (Flash) Elorde Manila, Philippines L PTS 10
1955-12-12 Dave Gallardo San Francisco, CA, USA W KO 7
1956-01-18 Gabriel (Flash) Elorde San Francisco, CA, USA W TKO 13
1956-02-13 George (Curly) Monroe Providence, RI, USA W KO 3
1956-04-14 Larry Boardman Boston, MA, USA L UD 10
Record to Date
Won 145 (KOs 103) Lost 16 Drawn 2 Total 163
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