Today in Boxing History: Willie Pep vs. Sandy Saddler IV

On this day in 1951, greats Willie Pep and Sandy Saddler met for the fourth and final time of their careers, ending one of the most savage rivalries in boxing history.

The two were perfect foils for each other. Pep was an elusive boxer whose balletic ring performances could be seen as acts of beauty. Saddler was the vicious puncher whose 103 career knockouts are the most by any featherweight champion in history.

When they met for the first time in October of 1948, Pep, unbeaten in 73 straight fights, was defending his featherweight title for the eighth time. Saddler quickly played spoiler, knocking Pep down twice in the third round before putting away for good in the fourth.

“Will o’ the Wisp� regained his title from Saddler in February of 1949 with a 15-round decision and kept the belt until their next meeting in September of 1950. This time, a separated shoulder kept Pep from answering the bell at the eighth and the title went back to Saddler.

Pep won his first eight fights of 1951, earning another shot at Saddler and his belt. The two met at the New York’s Polo Grounds on September 26, 1951. The bout was as brutal as their first three and Pep retired at the start of the ninth because a bloody right eye was affecting his vision.

While it was their last fight as professional boxers, the two did put on exhibition bouts after they retired.