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| Jeff Chandler Boxing on DVD Click for more info... |
| Boxing on DVD Click for more info... |
Most fighters go through their sporting life a la Dom DeLuise, in a constant battle with the
scales. Maybe it's water or tea for 24 hours before fight time or perhaps a session in the
semi-reliable steam bath is in order.
Down in South Philadelphia, there is a bantamweight by the name of Jeff (call him Joltin',
please) Chandler who not only is the current USBA (United States Boxing Association) and
NABF (North American Boxing Federation) champ but can chow down with anyone under
the middleweight division and still come in comfortably below the legal limit.
"I love to eat and making weight has never really been a problem," says Jeff. Two evening
meals at the home of manager K.O. Becky and a shared table at a pre-fight press luncheon
proved to yours truly that Jeff doesn't lie. He'd make a great sportswriter—he heads straight
for the goodies when entering a press room.
Jeff—who, believe it or not, even bares a faint facial resemblance to the late actor Jeff
Chandler—has been a bantamweight since arriving on the pro picture back in early 1976.
Four-plus years later and he can still come in at 116 2/3. Some guys have all the luck now,
don't they?
Part of the reason for his rather abundant stomach capacity can be traced to the fact that Jeff
is such a workaholic— both in and out of the ring. While his regular construction job
(presently laying some new track for the railroad) might wilt some, Jeff just shrugs it off and
trots to The Juniper Gym for a two-hour workout under the guiding hand of trainer Nick
Belfiore.
If you have had the opportunity to see him in action, this pencil-thin man (born in September
of 1956) is all business, from jump street to the time his hand is raised in victory. Currently
sporting a 21-0-1, 10-KO log, Jeff has more and more been living upon his ring nickname.
He had to settle for a four-round draw in his initial pro outing but since then he has improved
steadily. He had to; he had just two siInon-pure contests before turning professional.
Everything has been a teaming process. In his most recent showing he was the chief prelirn
on the Saad Muhammad-John Conteh Atlantic City card. This was when he came in at 116
2/3 in a twelve-round defense of his USBA title. The challenger was world class Puerto
Rican Andres "Puppy" Hemandez. Jeff learned a lot in this bout. "Yeah, I learned how to be
dirty," he says.
Hernandez, who had taken Zarate thirteen rounds two years ago, was one rough and ready
opponent who used virtually every trick in the proverbial book to try and suffocate
Chandler. In the tenth, Andres even butted him over the left eye—afterwards, it required five
stitches.
Jeff wouldn't fold under the "experience" of his adversary as he came roaring down the back
six to gain the unanimous decision. He capped this excellent win by nearly taking Hernandez
out in the final round with two knockdowns. .
By this time Jeff is in everyone's top ten and can safely be given serious consideration for a
title bout—WBC style. "We were offered a non-title match with Pintor last December," says
K.O. Becky, "but we turned it down. Why should we have to beat him twice to win the
title?"
This classy fighter looks to be the East Coast's finest bantamweight in over a generation.
Earlier this year he took apart a very competent Javier Flores via a tenth-round TKO—the
first time ever that Flores had been halted in over 30 pro bouts. The visitor was impressed.
"He's better than Superfly (better known as Alberto Sandoval, who was soon to face Lupe
Pintor in a titlee bout and with whom Javier had lasted the distance)," said a totally beaten
Flores. "The man punches very hard. He's going to be the next champ."
Trainer Nick Belfiore thinks so and is as sold as anybody on this kid. "He's too smart and
too busy; he's a real worker in there." Yes sir, Jeff is just that and more! Just go ask Baby
Kid Chocolate, who was laid out cold last year by a left hook that had classic written all
over it. That was the bout in which Jeff won the vacant Pennsylvania and USBA titles.
The ring schooling which he has been attending to with the eagerness of a kid tearing open
the Christmas presents has been pretty well rounded. The slick Davey Vasquez made Jeff
earn his ten round decision. That test was passed. Chandler has taken on the ever-pressing
Mexican variety as well, and often —early in his career—he had to give away pounds to get
any kind of opponent in the immediate area to face him.
As a matter of fact, had his very first opponent not been a southpaw, he could very well be
all victorious at this point. "I got off slowly in that one (against Mike Dowling) and by the
time I figured out what to do it was over." He never had a chance to meet Dowling again
after that four-rounder, but whether he knew it or not, that bout would be the first of many a
learning session. After all, Jeff had participated in just those two amateur bouts when he was
asked to take on a southpaw in his first pro action.
The diminutive and spunky K.O. Becky has a real Jewel on her hands and, if there is anyone
in the business who can PR their own man, then it is Becky. She is boxing's number one
female fan and at the drop of a hat can talk boxing with the best of them. Their contract runs
out this coming February but neither one has any intentions of looking elsewhere. "They
(which encompasses Becky's husband Willie) have been good to me; I ain't got no
complaints," says Jeff.
Spectrum director of boxing J. Russell Peltz sees a bright future for Jeff. "He wants to fight; I
mean, really wants to work at it. He is always asking me when the next fight is. The kid
wants to be a winner and you can't fault him for that. As for bringing in top quality
opponents, Russ states that, "It's a shame but it doesn't look like any of those West Coast
fighters will leave the security of the nest to come east unless we give them the world— and
I can't afford that, quite obviously. "
Where does that leave Jeff? The Philadelphia boxing fraternity has been exactly breaking
down the do to watch Chandler in action. In 1979 and so far this year the crowds at the
Spectrum haven't exactly thrilled the bottom-line people. It looks as if Jeff will have to pick
his spots. All he really needs is that one big win over a contender. He may have to travel that
one, but the chance must be taken. Jeff has never really traveled anyway in his ring life. The
time may well be hand when he has to prove himself the road.
He must be prepared and I'm sure is aware of this also. The way Jeff works, he should have
no problem. He left high school in his senior year "The gang wars were making it di cult to
get through"—and has been an individual ever since. "I try to be natural as I cannot find it in
myself to flamboyant." He keeps that business like expression from the first bell on his
concentration is near perfect.
"I'm conscious of boxing and what it can do to you and for you. In the ring I like to stay busy
and make my openings; I like to get off quickly have to concentrate because I'm always
forcing the action. Pain can get past expression but I want to let my opponent know I'm
ready at all times. I'm hungry for good fights; I don't want to go stale or brag but I want to
keep and prove myself. They said Flores was good but my constant improvement made him
a disappointment.
So far Jeff has been far from a disappointment in his march to the top. Please, no Jeff
Chandler jokes. He, no actor, he's the real thing. Just him call Joltin' Jeff—please.
Boxing Illustrated August 1980
scales. Maybe it's water or tea for 24 hours before fight time or perhaps a session in the
semi-reliable steam bath is in order.
Down in South Philadelphia, there is a bantamweight by the name of Jeff (call him Joltin',
please) Chandler who not only is the current USBA (United States Boxing Association) and
NABF (North American Boxing Federation) champ but can chow down with anyone under
the middleweight division and still come in comfortably below the legal limit.
"I love to eat and making weight has never really been a problem," says Jeff. Two evening
meals at the home of manager K.O. Becky and a shared table at a pre-fight press luncheon
proved to yours truly that Jeff doesn't lie. He'd make a great sportswriter—he heads straight
for the goodies when entering a press room.
Jeff—who, believe it or not, even bares a faint facial resemblance to the late actor Jeff
Chandler—has been a bantamweight since arriving on the pro picture back in early 1976.
Four-plus years later and he can still come in at 116 2/3. Some guys have all the luck now,
don't they?
Part of the reason for his rather abundant stomach capacity can be traced to the fact that Jeff
is such a workaholic— both in and out of the ring. While his regular construction job
(presently laying some new track for the railroad) might wilt some, Jeff just shrugs it off and
trots to The Juniper Gym for a two-hour workout under the guiding hand of trainer Nick
Belfiore.
If you have had the opportunity to see him in action, this pencil-thin man (born in September
of 1956) is all business, from jump street to the time his hand is raised in victory. Currently
sporting a 21-0-1, 10-KO log, Jeff has more and more been living upon his ring nickname.
He had to settle for a four-round draw in his initial pro outing but since then he has improved
steadily. He had to; he had just two siInon-pure contests before turning professional.
Everything has been a teaming process. In his most recent showing he was the chief prelirn
on the Saad Muhammad-John Conteh Atlantic City card. This was when he came in at 116
2/3 in a twelve-round defense of his USBA title. The challenger was world class Puerto
Rican Andres "Puppy" Hemandez. Jeff learned a lot in this bout. "Yeah, I learned how to be
dirty," he says.
Hernandez, who had taken Zarate thirteen rounds two years ago, was one rough and ready
opponent who used virtually every trick in the proverbial book to try and suffocate
Chandler. In the tenth, Andres even butted him over the left eye—afterwards, it required five
stitches.
Jeff wouldn't fold under the "experience" of his adversary as he came roaring down the back
six to gain the unanimous decision. He capped this excellent win by nearly taking Hernandez
out in the final round with two knockdowns. .
By this time Jeff is in everyone's top ten and can safely be given serious consideration for a
title bout—WBC style. "We were offered a non-title match with Pintor last December," says
K.O. Becky, "but we turned it down. Why should we have to beat him twice to win the
title?"
This classy fighter looks to be the East Coast's finest bantamweight in over a generation.
Earlier this year he took apart a very competent Javier Flores via a tenth-round TKO—the
first time ever that Flores had been halted in over 30 pro bouts. The visitor was impressed.
"He's better than Superfly (better known as Alberto Sandoval, who was soon to face Lupe
Pintor in a titlee bout and with whom Javier had lasted the distance)," said a totally beaten
Flores. "The man punches very hard. He's going to be the next champ."
Trainer Nick Belfiore thinks so and is as sold as anybody on this kid. "He's too smart and
too busy; he's a real worker in there." Yes sir, Jeff is just that and more! Just go ask Baby
Kid Chocolate, who was laid out cold last year by a left hook that had classic written all
over it. That was the bout in which Jeff won the vacant Pennsylvania and USBA titles.
The ring schooling which he has been attending to with the eagerness of a kid tearing open
the Christmas presents has been pretty well rounded. The slick Davey Vasquez made Jeff
earn his ten round decision. That test was passed. Chandler has taken on the ever-pressing
Mexican variety as well, and often —early in his career—he had to give away pounds to get
any kind of opponent in the immediate area to face him.
As a matter of fact, had his very first opponent not been a southpaw, he could very well be
all victorious at this point. "I got off slowly in that one (against Mike Dowling) and by the
time I figured out what to do it was over." He never had a chance to meet Dowling again
after that four-rounder, but whether he knew it or not, that bout would be the first of many a
learning session. After all, Jeff had participated in just those two amateur bouts when he was
asked to take on a southpaw in his first pro action.
The diminutive and spunky K.O. Becky has a real Jewel on her hands and, if there is anyone
in the business who can PR their own man, then it is Becky. She is boxing's number one
female fan and at the drop of a hat can talk boxing with the best of them. Their contract runs
out this coming February but neither one has any intentions of looking elsewhere. "They
(which encompasses Becky's husband Willie) have been good to me; I ain't got no
complaints," says Jeff.
Spectrum director of boxing J. Russell Peltz sees a bright future for Jeff. "He wants to fight; I
mean, really wants to work at it. He is always asking me when the next fight is. The kid
wants to be a winner and you can't fault him for that. As for bringing in top quality
opponents, Russ states that, "It's a shame but it doesn't look like any of those West Coast
fighters will leave the security of the nest to come east unless we give them the world— and
I can't afford that, quite obviously. "
Where does that leave Jeff? The Philadelphia boxing fraternity has been exactly breaking
down the do to watch Chandler in action. In 1979 and so far this year the crowds at the
Spectrum haven't exactly thrilled the bottom-line people. It looks as if Jeff will have to pick
his spots. All he really needs is that one big win over a contender. He may have to travel that
one, but the chance must be taken. Jeff has never really traveled anyway in his ring life. The
time may well be hand when he has to prove himself the road.
He must be prepared and I'm sure is aware of this also. The way Jeff works, he should have
no problem. He left high school in his senior year "The gang wars were making it di cult to
get through"—and has been an individual ever since. "I try to be natural as I cannot find it in
myself to flamboyant." He keeps that business like expression from the first bell on his
concentration is near perfect.
"I'm conscious of boxing and what it can do to you and for you. In the ring I like to stay busy
and make my openings; I like to get off quickly have to concentrate because I'm always
forcing the action. Pain can get past expression but I want to let my opponent know I'm
ready at all times. I'm hungry for good fights; I don't want to go stale or brag but I want to
keep and prove myself. They said Flores was good but my constant improvement made him
a disappointment.
So far Jeff has been far from a disappointment in his march to the top. Please, no Jeff
Chandler jokes. He, no actor, he's the real thing. Just him call Joltin' Jeff—please.
Boxing Illustrated August 1980
