On This Day

Sammy Mandell

On July 3, 1926, Sammy Mandell won the World Lightweight Boxing Title. Sammy Mandell was born in Rockford, Illinois named Salvatory Mandala. In the boxing community he was also known as the "Rockford Sheik" due to his good looks and as the "Rockford Flash" due to his fast hands and foot speed.

Mandell developed his fighting skills at the Camp Grant barracks. He was too young and underweight (105 lbs) to join the army. Despite this, he continued hanging around the wrestling and boxing training areas, boxing and beating soldiers in his weight class.

He successfully defended his crown until 1930.