Biography

Sandy Saddler began boxing professionally in 1944. He won the world featherweight championship in his first title fight, knocking out Willie 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 title by defeating Orlando Zulueta of Cuba in a 10-round decision on Dec. 6, 1949. 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 Davis in 15 rounds. Saddler's next and last championship match was on Jan. 18, 1956, when he knocked out Gabriel 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.
- IMDb mini biography by: James Russell