.. or was Larry simply this much of a puncher? Some recalled him as having a very solid shot in boths hands. The way he dominated on the official scorecards against Joseph made me think. I can't quite pinpoint whether Sandy was showing athletic age despite being thirty, or was perhaps Larry simply on this much of a roll in '56 and '57 (some sweet wins earned then.) Numerous factors I reckon.
I believe Saddler was past his peak by that time, but he also was markedly less effective above 130, much like Bob Foster above 175.
Your latter point rings especially true (although he was definitely past peak … there’s a reason he retired after this fight). I think Saddler was great (as in ATG, as in imo the greatest featherweight ever) at 126. He was very, very good and maybe great at 130 … but fighting lightweights he wasn’t nearly in that class.
I believe he was also severely injured in a car accident after this fight, which contributed to his decision to retire.
After the crash that made him retire. Physician claimed he'd go blind if he continued fighting, like Armstrong or Langford.
