Sandy Saddler: The KO King

Sandy Saddler: The KO King

By Simon Graham

A fighters legendary status is not always defined by the length of their reign as a champion or even by how many titles are won by dominating several different weight categories, a fighter can gain legendary status purely on an epic encounter with an opponent.

Occasionally though a fighter comes along and is immortalised as a true ring legend based on a number of attributes, both their ring craft and classic, often savage battles.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Joseph Saddler was, at 5ft 8.5in, exceptionally gifted and a dynamic puncher with both hands, Saddler loved the use of his freakishly long jab using it to great effect, after 50 amateur bouts he turned professional aged 17 in 1944

By the time Saddler eventually fought for the lightweight world title he had amassed 100 professional fights he was still only 22, The Fight took place at Madison Square Garden October 1948 against the much fancied and highly respected Champion 27yr old Willie Pep a legend in his own right.

From the opening bell it was clear the young challenger was to strong for the champion dropping him twice in round 3 before ending the fight in round four with a smashing left hook to the jaw, Pep unable to beat the count.

Pep would regain the title from Saddler a year later learning from his previous mistake not to take the fight to his opponent but stay on the outside winning the ring magazine fight of the year by a unanimous points decision with a dazzling boxing display.

This would not be the end of their rivalry, Saddler became more increasing bitter towards Pep the fact that his rival continued to be hailed as an all-time great while he himself was relatively forgotten, this bitterness would spill over into their next 2 fights which would became more vicious and rough, both fighters having a genuine dislike for the other. Saddler won fight number 3 after Pep was unable to answer the bell for the 8th round due to a dislocated shoulder he claimed was caused by Saddler’s rough house tactics.

Fight number 4 September 1951 would again be for the world featherweight championship Saddler’s first defence of his 2nd reign as champion. Virtually every rule in the boxing commission’s book was violated by the two bitter feudists. They would both end up on the canvass several times grappling and wrestling each other, low blows, head butts and eye gouging a constant reminder of how much these men despised each other. Repeated warnings to both men only fuelled the melee, eventually the fight ended in round 9, Peps eye cut so badly that both men were soaked in blood, Saddler winning by TKO.

Joseph ‘Sandy’ Saddler retired as undefeated world champion forced to give up after a car accident left him partially blinded in one eye, Pep could still be found fighting in small hall shows in his mid40s, a shadow of his former self.

During a 12 year career Saddler had a total of 162 fights winning 144 of them knocking out 103 opponents, during the 70s he trained heavyweight champion George Foreman was voted in Ring magazines top 5 hardest punchers of all time and inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

Sandy Saddler and Willie Pep were golden era greats the likes of which we may never see again.