The year was 1946 - the big WWII  had ended a year earlier - and still no chicken in every pot, or the promised "magic lantern" in every living room - at least not in my Brooklyn naborhood where our flat remained cold water vintage.

The subway ride to Manhattan was no more than a nickel - and many Saturday morn’ I would hop the Canarsie line at the Wilson Ave station and journey to Times Square - and hike north along 8th avenue to Lou Stillman’s gym.

The profane one shouting into the mic announced each pairing - "Ring one Sandy Saddler and Cyril Gallie" - I’m a kid of 15 and never heard of either fighter.

Older guy next to me points to Saddler - a prelim fighter he says will one day dominate as Pep has at 126. The exclamation point comes during opening round of sparring - aborted when the visiting Welshman is dropped by a Saddler left hook.

Impressive, considering the visitor from Wales was alleged to hold Brit lightweight title - no Boxrec.com back then for verification. Still, the stranger was on the money with the prophecy - and some two years later Sandy claims the featherweight crown from Pep - in all they met four times with Saddler winning three.

Had it been today we’d all of heard about prospect Saddler - a can’t miss wiry power puncher that took no prisoners - never once used the height-reach advantages - opted to do battle up close and personal. The hold and hit, with short left hook doing the damage was a sight to behold.

Prior to the magic lantern, the big city had small clubs sprinkled over its suburbs - my beloved borough of churches and bars had the B’way and Grove in close proximity - B’way on Tuesday nites and the Grove played SRO on Saturdays. A short ride on the El over the Queens border was the Jamaica Arena.

Many a hopeful graduated to the big tent at MSG - others remained career club fighters - before moving up to the majors at 8th & 49th, there was a pit stop to success at the old St. Nick Arena at Columbus Circle.

Was the way it was.

Today, they go undefeated in six bouts, and depending on the rabbi pulling the strings, is introduced to the uninitiated as "undefeated prospect."

Back in that proverbial day it was uno champion per weight class, and no more than eight available straps - made life easier for the fan when compared to today’s assorted 64-68 straps with "World  Champion" scribbled over it.

Today, some remain as protected species - avoid valid belt holders while whacking out illegitimates among its sanctioning membership - and wouldn’t Marty Servo of past welterweight title fame have enjoyed that leverage when avoiding Robinson’s challenge.

Instead, opts for the "deviated septum" route that fails - and the uncrowned Sugar Ray decisions Tommy Bell for the vacated crown.

Now, with help from cable stations, promoters, internet sites vying for interviews, it’s a Jason Litzau aka "American Boy" hot prospect "contender" - and others prematurely caught up in the convenient instant celebrity game. Most destined for some pugilistic purgatory - remembered only by family and friends.

We hear a Tessitore emotional "prospect" shout over any unbeaten new face in each tank town the kiddie channel touches down at - and then the bell, and the viewer treated to a novice amateur in style and substance.

It sometimes returns me to them late 1940s - 1950s - the early black/white TV era with prospects, more than suspects, climbing the ladder to contender - and no further to look than the welter and middleweight divisions of the day.

Philadelphia’s Gil Turner quickly comes to mind - a pro at age 19 and quickly seen as prospect material - goes undefeated over 32 kept appointments with 25 via knockout - some of the scalps carried surnames (Ike) Williams, Fusari, Docusen, (Beau) Jack.

In style, the kid resembled a runaway freight firing on all pistons - first blemish July 1952 a round 11 loss to welter champion Kid Gavilan. Contender yes, but never a champion, as he shared the squared circle with likes of Gene Fullmer, Carmen Basilio, Joey Giambra, Johnny Saxton, Isaac Logart.

Turner retired in 1958 at age 28, after back to back losses to Ralph Dupas and Del Flanagan. He died May of 1996 at age 65.

Joey Giambra another good one - middleweight from Buffalo, NY- born 1931 - rap sheet  glittered at 65-10-2, 31 KOs - contender good enough to have met and beaten  Rocky Castellani, Joey Giardello, Ralph "Tiger" Jones, "Bobo" Olson and Gil Turner.

Never had title shot at prime time but late in career lost to Denny Moyer for newly created WBA jr. middle title ( 1962) - called it quits in 1964 after three straight losses.  Worked similar in style, as if formed from the same mold, as Castellani and Giardello - good size and text book classic.

Ralph "Tiger" Jones -  52-32-5, 13 KOs - (Born 1928-Died 1994) … never seen as prospect or contender … but don’t dare label tough tiger as "suspect." Year 1955 he convincingly decisions come-backing Sugar Ray Robinson.  

Met name opponents Ernie Durando, Gene Fullmer, Kid Gavilan, Joey Giambra, Joey Giardello - we’re talking quality stuff.

No surprise today interviewed fighters, after answering the usual - how did training go - who do you want next - the reply is something like, great, never had such a good camp, I’ll fight anybody - er, well. the one that brings the most money to the table.

Wonderful, maybe, if lucky, we can really hit the jackpot - and catch a Brinks PPV stickup with Sly Stallone featured in main event - shhhhhhhh - it could happen.

GEL  -

5-25-2007