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WBC REMEMBERS ELORDE?S EPIC WIN OVER SANDY SADDLER By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Tue, 21 Jul 2015  The World Boxing Council has remembered the epic victory of Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde over American Sandy Saddler in a ten round non title fight in Manila on July 20, 1955 when Elorde stunned the boxing world as he outpointed world featherweight champion Sandy Saddler. The WBC website said ?Filipino idol and one of the greatest fighters his country has ever produced, southpaw Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde, defeated lanky American Sandy Saddler, the world featherweight champion by unanimous decision in ten rounds in a non-title bout.? The WBC recalls that ?the memorable action took place at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila. The event was presented by flamboyant promoter Lope Sarreal (Elorde?s father-in?law.) The third man in the ring was Jack Sullivan.? In a Viva Sports documentary entitled ?The Flash Elorde Story? we wrote ?it was a ring battle etched in the memories of many for the sheer gallantry of Elorde against a veteran world champion who was regarded by most as one of the dirtiest fighters in the business." Renowned journalist Teddy Benigno didn't give Elorde a chance but when it was over Benigno in his usual masterful fashion wrote - "his legs almost shot from under him, his face a rucksack of welts, cuts and bruises, his eyes mere slits, Elorde would pull that courage from some inner, invisible scabbard and turned the tide.? Boxrec.com in its account of the fight reported that Elorde, the Philippine bantamweight champion ?kept the puzzled champion off balance most of the night by swarming over him with flurries of punches and outscoring Saddler on an average of 3-1. Saddler, relying mainly on his left hook was forced to use every trick in the book against Elorde but just couldn?t pull the fight out of the fire.? The report said referee Jack Sullivan ?warned Saddler on several occasions for butting and elbowing and each incident prompted a fresh barrage of orange peelings and bottles aimed at Saddler?s corner.? ?The 126 pound titlist was especially warned in the 1st, 3rd and 6th rounds but persisted with his rough style.? Elorde ?looked his best in the 5th round when he kept boring in under Saddler?s left hook to batter the champion?s stomach with triple hammer blows? according to the wire agency, United Press. Middleweight contender Italo Scortichini was injured at ringside by a flying pop bottle. The scorecards were all in favor of Elorde at a time when the referee was also a scoring judge. Referee Jack Sullivan had Elorde winning 8 rounds to 2. Judge R. De Los Reyes 7-3 and Judge Galang completed the unanimous decision with a lopsided 8 rounds to 2. in favor of Elorde. In a post-fight comment Sandy Saddler said ? He is a great boy. I?ll give him a chance at my title.? With his new-found confidence and his ranking as a contender, Flash Elorde dared to face Saddler in a rematch at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California on January 18, 1956 with Saddler's world featherweight title on the line. Elorde fought brilliantly and appeared on route to winning the title when referee Ray Flores called a halt in the 13th round because of a nasty gash suffered by Elorde as Saddler laced, poked, elbowed and pawed the young Filipino in an ugly display of viciousness in the ring. Fight fans booed the decision and pelted the ring with debris. The Philippine ambassador to Washington at that time was the eminent diplomat Gen. Carlos P. Romulo. Gen. Romulo told Elorde ? ?you may have lost the fight but you won the hearts of Americans by your gallantry.? The late esteemed WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman paid the supreme tribute to Elorde when he said "Elorde is my hero!" Photo: Elorde (L) and Saddler. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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