Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and Sandy Saddler fought in Manila on July 20,
1955...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 (poster pictured)
with Saddler’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."
(by Ronnie Nathanielsz)
