During his career he fought storied Heavyweight Champions Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano.

[citation needed] Savold was born in Canby, Minnesota (his birth was recorded in the nearby town of Marshall).

On March 1, 1940, sports writer Dan Morgan explained to Whitney Martin why Lee Savold is "another Gibbons" and "the best prospect around."

[citation needed] On May 25, 1942, he KO'd Lou Nova in the eighth round in a bout which was named The Ring magazine Upset of the Year.

[3] On March 19, 1948, Savold set the record for the quickest knockout in a main event bout at Madison Square Garden by knocking out Italy's Gino Buonvino.

[4][5][6] On June 6, 1950, he defeated Bruce Woodcock on a fourth round cut eye stoppage to win the EBU version of the World Heavyweight title, Savold had lost on a foul in their first meeting in 1948.

[citation needed] On June 17, 1951 he fought Joe Louis in what was the first professional prizefight carried to theaters on closed-circuit TV.

Although it was a non-title match, after this bout the EBU withdrew recognition of Savold as "world" champion.