Richie Sandoval (Part 2) Richie Sandoval vs. Joltin’ Jeff Chandler March 7 1984 Atlantic City, NJ.

With the sad and sudden recent passing of Richie Sandoval, I thought it would be fitting to look back on one of the greatest nights of his life as a professional boxer.

In a career of great nights, this was the night that Sandoval would win the world bantamweight title. It is hard to believe it was 40 years ago.

Chandler was the long-reigning 118-pound champion, having won the title in 1980. When Chandler won the title, he was the first American to win a bantamweight championship in 30 years. By the time he and Sandoval met in the spring of 1984, Joltin’ Jeff was making defense #10 and was a heavy favorite over Sandoval.

The fight was virtually a hometown fight for Chandler, who lived just down the turnpike in Philadelphia. For Pomona, California-based Sandoval, he was a long way from the sand and surf of his West Coast home. 

While Sandoval came into the fight with an impressive record of 22-0, he didn’t have the experience and name recognition on his resume that Chandler had.

(Ironically, one of Chandler’s victories was a title defense a year previous against Gaby Canizales who would take the title from Sandoval in Richie’s 3rd title defense).  

The fight was fought at a fast pace, a pace that was dictated by the impressive aggression of Sandoval. Working off a strong jab, hard right hands, and punishing left hooks, Sandoval seemed to take control early. He fought at a pace that frustrated and nullified Chandler; Sandoval simply outworked the champion.

In the end, Sandoval would not only win but win in dominant fashion, stopping the champion in the 15th and final round. After landing hard shots throughout the fight, referee Arthur Mercante mercifully stepped in during the final frame, with Sandoval repeatedly driving Chandler into the ropes with hard shots to the head.

If the fight had heard the final bell, Sandoval would have taken the title with a wide margin on all 3 cards, with scores coming in at 137-129, 139-126 and 140-126 at the time of the stoppage.

This would be the last fight of Chandler’s career.

Going into the title fight, Sandoval, then-23, was facing a man that wasn’t just the champion, but a man considered far superior to anyone in the division. Sandoval, fighting with confidence and determination, had him hurt in the 1st, down in the 11th and finally stopped him in the 15th.

After the fight, Sandoval said he, “didn’t know the fight would play out like this” but that he was “just gonna do my best, do it for Jesus Christ; Thank you, Lord”. 

Sandoval added, “I am so happy in my life right now. I want to thank Jeff for the opportunity. He was a great champion and I give him credit”.

Classy and heartfelt words from a true champion in and out of the ring.

Over the next 2 years, Sandoval would make 2 title defenses and bank 4 non-title wins before losing the title by KO to (former Chandler opponent) Gaby Canizales in what would be the last fight of Richie’s career.

Upon retirement, his promoter, Top Rank boss Bob Arum, gave Sandoval a job with his firm for the remainder of his working life.

Richie had an outstanding amateur career that saw him beat (future world title challenger) Jerome Coffee to secure a place on the United States’ 1980 Olympic team. (However, the team boycotted the Olympic Games that year). But, after this great win, he could add a professional world champion to his boxing resume. 

A great night in a great career.

Thanks for the memories, Richie.

On behalf of everyone at MaxBoxing, our deepest condolences go out to the Sandoval family and everyone at Top Rank Boxing.  

Rest in peace, Champ!