OLD FITE FAN'S LAMENT By Geo El

And now it is Sandy Saddler that has left the living ... another name added to the others that have departed ... and for this old veteran fan it leaves still another reminder of how it once was ... this great but also challenging and demanding pro sport of boxing.

What I best remember of Saddler was not the four battles with the great Willie Pep - of which Sandy won on three occasions - for that Pep was no more than a shell of the little guy that was fondly labeled “Wil o’ the wisp” when at prime time.

Rather, my most lasting recall of Saddler was on a long ago Saturday morning at the once legendary castle of clout named Stillman’s Gym located a few blocks north of the old Garden at 8th and 50th ... and as an early arrival I had my choice of ringside seats at the two regulation sized rings located on the main level.

Was a middle-aged guy sitting to my right that pointed to a young, wiry prelim fighter readying to spar with Cyril Gallie, an English lightweight champ on visit here in hopes of gaining a world title bout.

The stranger said for me to remember the name ... Sandy Saddler ... said he would one day replace Pep as featherweight champion ... and very likely would grow into lightweight size once reaching full physical maturity.

I probably would never have recalled the prophetic words ... but in round two of the sparring session, with both fighters wearing protective headgear and oversized mittens, it was a short left-hook on the inside that deposited the Brit lightweight on his derriere.

Indeed, it made an impression on this then kid of age 15 who had just began an amateur career of his own ... and had dreams of one day being seen as a second coming of the great Willie Pep ... or if not, perhaps maybe reach the skill level of a Billy Graham who came so close in his first losing challenge to the talented welter champ Kid Gavilan.

A long ago war referred to by some as a “Police Action” eradicated the fight dreams but I have remained a fight fan to this day ... and respect most who ply their trade as professional fighters.

And while I have my all-time favorites and current ones as well ... I am always saddened at one element that has changed over the years ... and that is the lack of respect some fighters of today display towards opponents and possible foes as well.

The game is much too difficult for such nonsense ... the scars as well are much too visible for one fighter to ridicule and attempt to humiliate an adversary ... and so I continue to hope seeing this aspect of the game to cease.

Let us leave that end to us fans ... as we try rooting home our favorites with cheers for the good guy and barbs for the bad guys.

Semper fi,

Geo El