Sammy Mandell

Sammy Mandell (aka Samuel Mandella; February 5, 1904 - November 7, 1967) was a former world lightweight boxing champion from 1926-1930. Born Salvatore Mandala, he was known as the "Rockford Sheik" due to his Rudolph Valentino like good looks and as the "Rockford Flash" due to his fast hands and foot speed. Statistical boxing website BoxRec ranks Mandell him as the 13th greatest lightweight boxer ever. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998.