Over his twelve-year career (1944–56), Saddler scored 104 knockouts and was stopped only once himself, in his second professional fight, by Jock Leslie.

Considered to be one of the hardest hitting featherweights, Saddler was ranked number five on The Ring magazine's list of "100 Greatest Punchers of All Time".

Saddler turned Pro at Bantamweight winning his pro-debut & losing his second fight, he fought 10 more times at Bantamweight & had a record of 85-6-2 prior to facing Willie Pep, Saddler record included a loss to Phil Terranova & a Draw with Jimmy Carter The two first faced off on October 29, 1948.

Pep was the reigning featherweight champion of the world, and coming into the fight boasted a record of 134-1-1 (43 KO).

Saddler was the underdog & captured the title by knocking Pep down four times en route to a four-round knockout victory.