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Sandy Saddler’s Slashing Jab by Mark Hatmaker

One of the Undisputed Greats

Sandy Saddler was, is, and will always be, one of THE bona fide legends of the vicious game that is boxing. He has his detractors– people who can point to his occasionally less-than-kosher tactics, such as his penchant for heeling, holding, thumbing, collaring, and a bit of wrestling here and there. But even his detractors have to admit that he didn’t really need these outside-the-rules tactics.

Saddler could seriously move. He had the ability to bring his vicious jab back to the perfect position more often than most champions afflicted with the “curse” that is speed, and his series of matches with another all-time great, Willie Pep, made history.

Legendary Credentials

There is a lot to learn from Mr. Saddler, but today let’s take a look at something mighty telling– his record. Saddler fought 162 total bouts, winning 144 of them, losing only 16, and ending 2 in draws. But his knockout tally is the most impressive of his credentials. Out of 144 wins, 103 were won by knockouts.

He is on the Top 10 All-Time KO list and earned the most KOs of any featherweight. Now, consider that KO tally and have a look at any photo of the tall, gangly Saddler. Just where is that power coming from?

The Secret to Saddler’s Power

It seems the answer may be found in some of the deliberate timing of what—from the outside—looks like an awkwardly thrown lead hand. When watching film of Saddler throwing his jab, we will often see that when his jab lands his opponent’s head turns or bobs with it more than is usual when taking a standard jab.

Usually an unblocked jab results in a bit of a quick bump rearward as the head receives the blow. When Saddler’s jab lands flush we see the head either torque left (Saddler threw orthodox) or bump downward.

The secret to this extra-bump of the opponent’s head is in how Saddle would slash or whip his jab. Let’s use the following drills to see if we can buy ourselves some of this unexpected power.

Throwing Sandy Saddler’s
Slashing Jabs

First things first, when we see Saddler throw his jab, more often than not it travels in a slightly inward arc, or a slightly downward arc. Yes, he often threw the traditional straight jab, but much of Saddler’s renown was for this arcing/slashing motion that could open cuts and provide some hard, extra-torquing wallop.

Saddler’s slashing angles are what provided that extra torque or stink that made his jabs a bit more powerful even though they were often thrown as glancing blows (and intentionally so).

The Slashing Inside Jab

  1. Throw your standard jab but recalibrate your landing target about 1 to 2 inches left of target for orthodox fighters or 1 to 2 inches to the right for southpaws. To help visualize this, if I want to land a jab flush on my opponent’s mouth, I will target my slashing inside jab to land on the right corner of his mouth or perhaps even 1 inch to the right of that corner. I recommend adjusting this targeting to the right when throwing southpaw.
  2. As the jab lands, think less of penetrating through the target, and more about immediately contracting the chest and stomach muscles to drag/slash/whip the jab to the inside of the target. For example, when you are targeting their mouth, throw your jab as if you were going to literally wipe the smile off of your opponent’s face with your fist.
  3. I suggest honing your range and timing on the heavy-bag, then take it to the pads. Initially, it may feel “off.” You may unintentionally stop your fist a few times, but once you find it, it’ll pay big rewards.

The Slashing Down Jab

Saddler also bumped that head down with an alternate version of his slashing jab. Let’s look at how to pull this off:

  1. Fire your jab straight and true, but about 1 inch above your mark.
  2. Just as your jab makes contact above target, contract your abdominal and lat muscles hard to slash/rake the jab downward tearing into your target from above.

Keep in mind that the key to Saddler’s slashing jabs is not to penetrate with the punch in the usual manner, but to slash the skin of the opponent.

Get out there and get to slashin’. And don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments section down below.

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23 thoughts on “Sandy Saddler’s Slashing Jab by Mark Hatmaker”

  3. Excellent article. Making it work would require timing and last minute tweaking of fist positioning on contact with sudden stiffing and tighting of the chest and ab muscles simultaneously.

    Reply

  4. A majority of today’s fighting styles,are committed to “punching thru your target”for maximum pain/knockout techniques. These moves cause you to “commit”to the full strike,thus leaving you open to “speed” counter blows. These speed moves,can also allow for positioning, to deliver body throws. It is more effective, to throw “multiple”body strikes,with speed vs. power. This enables your opponent to feel more “body pain” rather than a miss hit of a “knockout” blow. Pain will affect their confidence and willingness,to continue their attack. Getting hit with 8-10 quick strikes vs their 1 hard strike,will cause them to rethink your abilities,which takes their mind,out of the fight. Targeting body nerve strikes,will be more effective than “any haymaker”. You must be able to take a couple of hard hits,but your tactical strikes and body throws,will definitely prevail.Move around your opponent,looking for the “open”strike regions,which keeps them off balance. It is ALWAYS more difficult to hit a moving target,vs. going “toe to toe” and standing still. You MUST have a stronger cardio conditioning,to “outlast”any opponent…especially the “Big Boys”who think that they are unbeatable,but can’t “actively”move to fight. They rely on the intimidation or their size(fat or muscular)but lack in conditioning and ability. You can literally”dance”around them,until they are too exhausted and tired,to fight effectively.

    Reply

  7. I enjoyed reading of Sandy and his way of using his jab. I don’t know if you have read any of my returns but if not, I am a 64 year old man. I asked for you to let me know if the fact that I am a convicted felon was the reason you never replied on my request to get the videos of some protection methods you were offering. I would like for you to look at what I have talked to you about.
    Please let me know if you would help me help other members in my family. Thank you!

    Reply

  10. Surely the punch knock out is due to the extra movement as the pubch makes contact with the skull ,shaking the brain around just that bit more than a regular jab …not trying to punch through more lika a instant 1 inch reverse hook.

    Reply

  11. I am not a pugilist and tend to use the “no rules” approach and try to stay close when the situation dictates. That doesn’t mean I am stupid…if I have analyzed the situation correctly, and it appears to be a really terrible predicament, I will vamoose. This article WAS a good read and the techniques were somewhat unique for the era. One could use them today, but as stated in the article, you need to develop this technique in a gym environment. Something I may consider.

    Reply

  16. I remember Sandy Sadler very well,I’m 81 soon to be,wait for it,82.My Father and I and sometimes my older brothers,would sit on the porch and listen to the fights.What a wonderful time we had and I never lost my interest.Until now, that is.I can’t abide the decent in our sports figures.With the braggadocio and the taunting,and ,ofcourse, the Politics of the football players and the cruelty that has crept into the games.I can’t watch it anymore.Even my tip top love of all time,Baseball.I used to go to Ebbets Field by myself at around ten years ol old,from queens to Brooklyn to watch my beloved Dodgers,and no one said or did anything untoward to me or about me,in fact they actually looked after me.It was a decidedly different time in our history.No they pour beer on your head,stretch out all over the seats,talk as if they are the only ones in the stands,how I miss the old days,I had a great time playing ball and I guess I’ll take the old days to my grave.

    Reply

  17. My personal experience is quick respose can change the mind of the attacker. BUT ever notice how people stand around and just watch? I know they are non fighters. I wish people would just grab the attacker. You don’t need to beat on them but one person on each arm and on the legs are hard to beat. Enjoy your site.

    Reply

  18. Ali in his Cassius Clay days did similar. My Father – a great boxing fan – always referred to him as “Slasher” Clay, particularly when he made a mess of Henry Cooper’s eyebrows.

    Reply

  19. I found on the occasions that I was bullied by some one who had learned to box, that they would back pedal like crazy if you went straight at them,,,,,,, this would cause them to trip up on some thing and they would go down hard, real hard, and if you dropped down beside them and punched them hard in the stomach at least once (twice was better) and if they were bigger than you then a third time was a really good idea, because they then realised that they had been bested by a smaller opponent in very quick time and they had not realised what had happened !!!!!!!

    Reply

  20. All absolutely factual. Although I definitely notice I deliver twice the power when I snap the open knuckles of my fist an inch before the target delivering brutal pain to the inside. To feel how heavy your hands are, hold your hands laterally out in front of you & shake them up and down vertically at the wrist. You will then feel the blood weight of your hands, you will be able to snap them like a wet towel. If your hands go light, shake them up and down again to keep that heavy feeling in there.

    Reply

  23. It is the transmission of Energy. ALL Energy spins. Straight jabs are only putting 1 directional force into Opponet. Not as effective as hitting them with torque. Put simply 2 way action is better than 1 way.

    Reply