76 years ago
Willie Pep vs Sandy Saddler II
Date: 11th February 1949
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA
Title: World Featherweight Title
Promoter: Twentieth Century Sporting Club
Referee: Eddie Joseph
Willie Pep
(
136
-
2
-
1
)
Weight: 126 lbs
Sandy Saddler
(
92
-
6
-
2
)
Weight: 124 lbs
On February 11, 1949, Willie Pep and Sandy Saddler met for the second time in a highly anticipated rematch at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In their previous encounter just four months earlier, Saddler had shocked the boxing world by knocking out Pep in the fourth round to capture the World Featherweight Championship. This time, however, Pep would turn the tables and regain his title in a gruelling 15-round unanimous decision victory.
The fight, named "Fight of the Year" by The Ring magazine, drew a sell-out crowd of 19,097 spectators who paid $87,563 to witness the first Madison Square Garden sell-out since 1946. Despite being a 7-5 betting underdog, Pep put on a masterful performance, utilizing his superior boxing skills and ring general-ship to outmanoeuvre the hard-hitting Saddler.
The Associated Press scored the fight 9-6 in favour of Pep and reported that the challenger "boxed all the way brilliantly against his heavier punching opponent, bouncing in and out with his dazzling array of jabs, hooks and right crosses." Pep's ability to effectively use his jab and movement proved the difference-maker, as he consistently frustrated Saddler's attempts to land his powerful punches.
The bout was not without its share of drama and brutality, as both men were left bloodied and battered by the final bell. The United Press described the contest as "one of the finest and bloodiest featherweight battles on record," noting that "both men were smeared with blood and bleeding from face and eye cuts" at the conclusion of the 15th round.
Despite the intense physical toll of the fight, neither man was knocked down during the bout. In the end, it was Pep's superior boxing ability and ring IQ that earned him the unanimous decision victory. Referee Eddie Joseph scored the fight 10-5, and judges Frank Forbes and Jack O'Sullivan saw it 9-5 and 9-6, respectively, all in favour of the challenger.
The Pep-Saddler rematch showcased both fighters' incredible skill and determination and solidified their status as two of the greatest featherweights in boxing history. The fierce rivalry between these two legends of the ring would continue, with Saddler winning their third and fourth encounters, but their second meeting stood out as a true classic and a testament to the sport's golden age.
For Willie Pep, regaining the World Featherweight Championship in such a dramatic fashion was a crowning achievement in a career that would ultimately see him recognized as one of the greatest boxers ever. His victory over Sandy Saddler in their second meeting remains a shining example of his sublime boxing skills, ring intelligence, and unwavering spirit in adversity.