Jeff Chandler (boxer)
Joltin Jeff Chandler (born
September 3,
1956 in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former boxer who reigned as the
WBA Bantamweight Champion of the world from November,
1980 to April,
1984.
The 5' 7" (67 inches) tall
Philadelphian began his professional career in
1976 after only two amateur bouts. Held to a four-round draw in his pro debut, Chandler then began a four year long string of victories culminating in a title challenge versus WBA 118-pound champ
Julian Solis in
Miami. Chandler won the title by fourteenth round
knockout, becoming the first American fighter to hold the bantamweight crown in over 30 years.
Chandler's first defense was against former champion
Jorge Lujan. Chandler took a fifteen-round decision. Next, Jeff travelled to
Japan to face
Orient champion
Eljiro Murata. Although he was almost floored in the early going, Chandler came back to hold his title with a draw (tie). Many ringside observers felt Chandler deserved a clear points victory. With his status in the boxing world rising, Chandler's next bout was a repeat victory over Solis, this time in seven rounds. Chandler closed out
1981 with a thirteenth round knockout rematch win over Murata.
In March of
1982, Chandler faced the only opponent who had ever defeated him (as an amateur), fellow Philadelphian
Johnny Carter. The tables were turned this time as Jeff scored a sixth round knockout in a nationally-televised bout. In the summer of 1982, Jeff was sidelined by an injury. During a traffic altercation on a Philadelphia street, Chandler was stabbed on the right shoulder blade with a broken bottle. The wound left a distinctive circular scar, but did no permanent damage.
In
1983, Chandler began venturing into the Jr. Featherweight ranks, winning a ten-round decision over
Hector Cortez. Next, he faced
L.A.'s tough
Oscar Muniz in another non-title bout. Muniz took the fight to Jeff and scored a close ten round decision. It was Chandler's first pro loss. Chandler defended once more against Murata (another knockout, in the tenth round), then faced Muniz again with the title on the line. A severe cut over Muniz's eye brought a stoppage in the seventh round, with Chandler retaining his world Bantamweight title.
Chandler next faced undefeated
Richie Sandoval. This time, Jeff's skills were not enough to stop his eager young foe. Sandoval took the title by fifteenth round knockoot in what turned out to be Chandler's last fight. He elected to have surgery on cataracts that had been diagnosed the year before. Rather than risk blindness, Chandler retired from boxing.
He finished his career with a record of 33 wins, 2 losses and 2 draws. Jeff Chandler provided boxing fans with many memorable performances. In
2000, he was elected to the
International Boxing Hall of Fame at
Canastota, New York.
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Chandler biography and highlights
