Philippines, 18 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WORLD BOXING COUNCIL RECALLS ELORDE?S EPIC VICTORY OVER SANDY SADDLER IN MANILA


PhilBoxing.com




The World Boxing Council has recalled the epic victory of Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde over world featherweight champion Sandy Saddler on July 20, 1955 in Manila.

The WBC said ?The Filipino idol and one of the greatest fighters his country (Philippines) 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 memorable action took place at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

The WBC recalled that ?the event was presented by flamboyant promoter Lope Sarreal. The third man in that ring was Jack Sullivan.?

One can never forget the epic battle between Elorde and American Sandy Saddler which even the World Boxing Council recalled in its daily flashback.

That night Elorde stunned the boxing world when he out-pointed the world featherweight champion Saddler in a ten-round, non title fight.

It was a fight 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 boxers in the business.

The late renowned journalist Teddy Benigno didn?t give Elorde a chance against Sadler. When it was over, Benigno, in his usual masterful fashion, wrote, "with 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 turn the tide."

Elorde won on the scorecards of all three judges. Referee Jade Sullivan gave Elorde 8 rounds and Saddler only 1 while the two other judges had Elorde ahead by 7 rounds to 3 and 8 rounds to 2.

With his new-found confidence and his ranking as a contender, the young Elorde dared to face Saddler in a rematch on January 18, 1956, with Sadler?s featherweight title on the line at the Cow Palace in San Francisco. Elorde fought brilliantly and was leading on the scorecards of all the judges when the referee called a halt to the fight in the 13th round because of a nasty cut suffered by Elorde as Saddler laced, poked, elbowed and pawed the young Filipino in an ugly display of viciousness in the ring.

Boxing fans booed Saddler, howled over the stoppage and rained the ring with debris. Philippine Ambassador to Washington, the eminent diplomat Carlos P. Romulo told Elorde "you may have lost the fight, but you won the hearts of Americans by your gallantry."


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Thrilla” card takes shape
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Wishing Best to Jayson Vayson in his World Title Challenge!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Vayson aims to make history
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • “Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Green and Gold 2025: Amateur Boxing’s International Gathering in Bolivia
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Smarts over power
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 15 Sep 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.