Sammy Mandell

Sammy Mandell
Statistics
Real name	Salvatore Mandala
Nickname(s)	Rockford Sheik Rockford Flash
Rated at	Lightweight
Height	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Reach	67 in (170 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	February 5, 1904 Rockford, Illinois, USA or Piana del Greci, Sicily
Died	November 7, 1967(1967-11-07) (aged 63) Oak Park, Illinois, USA
Stance	Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights	190
Wins	143
Wins by KO	32
Losses	26
Draws	16
No contests	5[1]

Sammy Mandell (aka Samuel Mandella; February 5, 1904 - November 7, 1967) was a former world lightweight boxing champion from 1926-1930. Born Salvatore Mandala, he was known as the "Rockford Sheik" due to his Rudolph Valentino like good looks and as the "Rockford Flash" due to his fast hands and foot speed. Statistical boxing website BoxRec ranks Mandell him as the 13th greatest lightweight boxer ever.^[2] He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998.^[1]

Amateur career

Mandell (left) during his bout with Rocky Kansas

Mandell developed his fighting skills at the Camp Grant barracks in Rockford, Illinois. He was too young and underweight to join the army, weighing 105 lbs. Despite this, his persistence in hanging around the wrestling and boxing training areas saw him gain permission to join in with the military personnel. The camp boxing instructor at the time was Fred Dyer, "The Singing Boxer," who recalled in a 1926 interview how Mandell beat every soldier in the bantamweight class and was able to best men 10 lbs heavier than him. Dyer also stated that he advised Mandell to turn professional.^[3]

Pro career

Trained by the legendary Jack Blackburn, Mandell was an outstanding, clever fighter who carried a solid punch, fast hands and superb defensive skills. He won the championship when he outpointed Rocky Kansas on July 3, 1926. He successfully defended his crown against hall of famers and future champions Tony Canzoneri and Jimmy McLarnin. In a startling upset, Mandell lost the crown when he was KOed by Al Singer in the first round.

Notable bouts

Result	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes[4]
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	Kid Kaplan	PTS	10	1931-08-24	Hurley Stadium, East Hartford, Connecticut
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	Steve Halaiko	PTS	8	1930-12-01	Convention Hall, Rochester, New York
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	Al Singer	KO	1 (15), 1:46	1930-07-17	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York	Lost World Lightweight Title.
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	Jimmy McLarnin	UD	10	1930-03-01	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	Jimmy McLarnin	SD	10	1929-11-04	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	Tony Canzoneri	SD	10	1929-08-02	Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois	Retained World Lightweight Title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	Jimmy McLarnin	UD	15	1928-05-21	Polo Grounds, New York, New York	Retained World Lightweight Title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	Jackie Fields	UD	10	1928-02-23	Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	Billy Petrolle	NWS	10	1928-01-13	Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota	Newspaper Decision
style="background: #ffdddd; color: black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="table-no2" |Loss	Jackie Fields	NWS	12	1927-04-04	Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California	Newspaper Decision
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	Rocky Kansas	PTS	10	1926-07-03	Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois	Won World Lightweight Title.
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	Sid Terris	PTS	12	1925-02-06	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	Johnny Dundee	NWS	10	1924-06-09	Open-Air Arena, East Chicago, Indiana	Newspaper Decision
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	Jack Bernstein	NWS	12	1924-05-16	Louisville, Kentucky	Newspaper Decision
Draw	Jack Bernstein	PTS	15	1924-01-11	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Draw	Sid Terris	PTS	10	1923-12-17	Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Draw	Memphis Pal Moore	NWS	8	1922-07-04	Russwood Park, Memphis, Tennessee	Newspaper Decision
style="background:#bfd; color:black; vertical-align:middle; text-align:center; " class="table-yes2" |Win	Memphis Pal Moore	NWS	10	1921-08-26	Sager's Arena, Aurora, Illinois	Newspaper Decision

Notes

External links

• Professional boxing record for Sammy Mandell from BoxRec
• Cyber Boxing Zone - Sammy Mandell