76 years ago

Date: 29th October 1948

Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, USA

Title: World Featherweight Title

Promoter: Mike Jacobs

Willie Pep
( 134 - 1 - 1 )
Weight: 125½ lbs

Sandy Saddler
( 86 - 6 - 2 )
Weight: 124 lbs

Sandy Saddler Shocks the Boxing World, Stopping Willie Pep in Fourth Round

On October 29, 1948, the boxing world witnessed a stunning upset as Sandy Saddler, a 3-1 underdog, knocked out the seemingly invincible Willie Pep in the fourth round to capture the World Featherweight Championship at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Pep, who entered the fight with an impressive record of 134 wins, one loss, and one draw, was making his seventh defence of the title. The bout, promoted by the Madison Square Garden Corporation, drew a crowd of 14,685 spectators who generated a gate of $55,781.78. Pep, the defending champion, received 50 per cent of the net, while Saddler, the challenger, earned 10 per cent.

The fight began with Pep, known for his defensive prowess and technical brilliance, looking to establish his dominance. However, Saddler, a powerful puncher with an aggressive style, had other plans. In the third round, Saddler dropped Pep twice, each time for a nine-count, sending shockwaves through the crowd and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

In the fourth round, Saddler landed a devastating left hook that sent Pep crashing to the canvas. Referee Ruby Goldstein reached the count of ten, signalling the end of Pep's reign and the beginning of a new era in the featherweight division.

Before this bout, Pep's only professional loss had come five years earlier, on March 19, 1943, when he dropped a unanimous 10-round decision to Sammy Angott at Madison Square Garden. Pep also had a majority draw on his record, which occurred on December 13, 1945, against Jimmy McAllister at the Baltimore Garden. In that closely contested bout, described by The Baltimore Sun as "the finest featherweight fight seen here in many years," McAllister sent Pep to the floor for a count of six in the second round with a hard right to the chin.

The Pep-Saddler clash began one of the most iconic rivalries in boxing history. The two men would fight three more times, with Pep winning the rematch and regaining his title, only to lose it again to Saddler in their third encounter. Their fourth and final meeting ended in controversy, with Pep retiring on his stool after the ninth round due to a severe cut, resulting in a loss.

Sandy Saddler's shocking victory over Willie Pep in their first meeting was a defining moment in the careers of both fighters. It showcased Saddler's punching power, ring general-ship, and ability to rise to the occasion against the sport's elite. For Pep, the loss served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of boxing and the ever-present danger posed by a formidable challenger.

The legacy of the Pep-Saddler rivalry endures today as boxing enthusiasts continue to debate the merits of these two all-time greats. Their battles in the ring have become the stuff of legend, cementing their places among the finest featherweights ever to lace up a pair of gloves.