"Joltin'" Jeff Chandler (born September 3, 1956, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former boxer. Chandler reigned as the Lineal and WBA world Bantamweight Champion from November 1980 to April 1984.
Professional boxing career The 5'7" (67 inches - 1.70 metres) tall Philadelphian began his professional career with a four-round draw in 1976 after only two amateur bouts. Chandler then began a four-year string of victories culminating in a challenge for the world's lineal and WBA 118-pound championship held by Julian Solís. On November 14, 1980, Chandler won the title by a fourteenth-round knockout in Miami, becoming the first American fighter to hold the bantamweight crown in over 30 years.
Chandler's first defence was against former champion Jorge Luján, winning on points in fifteen rounds. He then travelled to Japan to face Asian champion Eljiro Murata, and although he was almost floored in the early rounds, Chandler came back to hold his title with a draw. Many ringside observers felt Chandler deserved a clear points victory. With his status in the boxing world rising, Chandler followed this up with a repeat victory over Solis, this time in seven rounds. Chandler finished 1981 against Murata, earning a thirteenth-round knockout rematch win.
In March 1982, Chandler faced the only opponent who ever defeated him as an amateur, fellow Philadelphian Johnny Carter. The tables were turned this time as he scored a sixth-round knockout on national television. Soon after, Chandler was sidelined by an injury sustained in a street-fight. During a traffic altercation in Philadelphia, he was stabbed on the right shoulder with a broken bottle, leaving a distinctive circular scar, but doing no permanent damage. Chandler went on to defend his title by beating Miguel Iriarte before finishing 1982.
In 1983, Chandler ventured into the Super bantamweight ranks, winning a ten-round decision over Hector Cortez. He then faced tough Angelino Oscar Muniz in another non-title bout. Muniz took the fight to Chandler, winning narrowly on points over ten rounds, Chandler's first defeat in the professional ranks. He defended once more against Murata (another knockout, in the tenth round), then faced Muniz again, this time with the title on the line. A severe cut over Muniz's eye brought a stoppage in the seventh round, enabling Chandler to retain his belt by a seventh-round technical knockout.
On April 7, 1984, Chandler faced the undefeated contender Richie Sandoval. This time his skills were not enough to stop an eager young foe. Sandoval took the title with a fifteenth-round knockout. This 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.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes37LossRichie SandovalTKO15 (15)Apr 7, 198436Win33–1–2Oscar MunizTKO7 (15)Dec 17, 198335Win32–1–2Eijiro MurataTKO10 (15)Sep 11, 198334Loss31–1–2Oscar MunizSD10Jul 23, 198333Win31–0–2Hector CortezUD10May 22, 198332Win30–0–2Gaby CanizalesUD15Mar 13, 198331Win29–0–2Miguel IriarteTKO9 (15)Oct 27, 198230Win28–0–2Johnny CarterTKO6 (15)Mar 27, 198229Win27–0–2Eijiro MurataTKO13 (15)Dec 10, 198128Win26–0–2Julian SolísKO7 (15)Jul 25, 198127Draw25–0–2Eijiro MurataSD15Apr 5, 198126Win25–0–1Jorge LujánUD15Jan 31, 198125Win24–0–1Julian SolísTKO14 (15)Nov 14, 198024Win23–0–1Gustavo MartinezKO8 (10)Jul 31, 198023Win22–0–1Gilberto VillacanaRTD4 (10)Jul 12, 198022Win21–0–1Andres HernandezUD12Mar 29, 198021Win20–0–1Javier FloresTKO10 (12)Feb 1, 198020Win19–0–1Francisco AlvaradoKO7 (10)Dec 4, 197919Win18–0–1Baby Kid ChocolateTKO9 (12)Sep 26, 197918Win17–0–1Alberto CruzTKO3 (10)Jul 31, 197917Win16–0–1Justo GarciaUD10May 14, 197916Win15–0–1Davey VasquezUD10Apr 3, 197915Win14–0–1Rafael GandarillaTKO9 (10)Dec 5, 197814Win13–0–1Andre TorresUD10Oct 24, 197813Win12–0–1Sergio ReyesUD8Aug 24, 197812Win11–0–1Roque MorenoTKO5 (8)Jun 19, 197811Win10–0–1Jose Luis GarciaKO5 (6)May 24, 197810Win9–0–1Tony HernandezKO2 (6)Mar 14, 19789Win8–0–1Tony ReedUD8Oct 25, 19778Win7–0–1John GloverPTS6Jun 15, 19777Win6–0–1Fernando SanchezPTS6Feb 21, 19776Win5–0–1Tony StokesPTS4Nov 30, 19765Win4–0–1Larry HuffinTKO3 (4)Oct 14, 19764Win3–0–1John GloverPTS4Aug 6, 19763Win2–0–1Michael FrazierPTS4Jun 8, 19762Win1–0–1Chico VivasPTS4Apr 13, 19761Draw0–0–1Mike Dowling PTS4Feb 25, 1976
See also List of world bantamweight boxing champions
References
External links
Jeff Chandler - CBZ Profile Chandler biography and highlights IBHOF Bio