Marcel Cerdan - The Genius

HitHard · Posted: April 20 2007, 11:41 AM Post subject: Marcel Cerdan - The Genius

Not the most avid fan of French boxing, however, this man was remarkable. I have about 8 fights of this guy and he would be over you like a rash. In my mind the best Frenchman to have put on a pair of gloves and in my top 4 Middleweights of all time.

Before you run to your keyboard thinking I'm a twat, do some research. Here is my piece:

Marcel Cerdan

Middleweight Champion of the World 1948-1949. One of History's greatest Middleweights, the "Casablanca Clouter" turned pro at 18 in 1934 and with the exception of two losses by disqualification, he never saw an opponent's hand raised in victory until May 23, 1948, his 105th bout, a narrow 15 round decision loss to Cyrille Delannoit, which he avenged two months later. He ran his unbeaten streak as a professional to 46-0, until he was disqualified in the fifth-round against Englishman Harry Craster on Jan. 9, 1939 in London. Four bouts and six weeks later Cerdan beat his first world ranked opponent, Saverio Turiello in a welterweight contest in Paris. Then he beat Turiello again, this time for the European welterweight crown in June. With the outbreak of WWII and the early fall of France, Cerdan didn't resume his career until 1941 in North Africa. But by the end of the year he was back fighting on the mainland, which was occupied by Germany. A disqualification loss to Victor Buttin, who he later knocked out, is the only blemish in his 28 fights from 1941-44. He continued his winning ways through the next two years, including wins over world-ranked middleweights Holman Williams in Paris, and an impressive 10-round decision win over Georgie Abrams in his New York debut. In 1947 he won the vacant European middleweight title and, with the exception of the points loss to Delannoit, cruised toward his title shot with world champion Tony Zale. On Sept. 21, 1948 in Jersey City, New Jersey, the 33-year-old challenger dominated the "Man of Steel" and scored a 12th round TKO for world honors. After two non-title wins in 1949, he lost the crown on June 16, to fellow Hall-of-Famer Jake LaMotta, via 10th round TKO. Cerdan, who injured his shoulder when the two fell to the canvas during a first-round scuffle, fought one-armed, until he retired in his corner after the 10th. En route to America for the rematch later that fall, he was killed when his plane crashed. In his outstanding career he had lost just four of 110 contests (two were by foul) with 61 KO's. In 1991, 52 years after his death, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Many of us who prowl the 'History' section will understand just how good this man was. A very likeable man, who's ferocity in the ring was the nemesis of himself out of it. There is no doubt in my mind that he would have won the return match with LaMotta. A very sad day indeed when he died.

Mr Nice · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 561 Location: Marseille

Excellant piece HH, one of my favoriate boxers too.
He also held the French national titles at Welter and Middleweight too, a truly exceptional fighter.

There's a book titled " Paif Cerdan un Hymme Ó l'amour " which is not a bad read.

Though HH, I know many a Frenchmen that will give to nod the Carpentier as French top dog - though i'm not inclinded to agree.

counterpuncher · Joined: 29 Dec 2005 Posts: 8993 Location: Birmingham

great piece HH 8)

HitHard · Posted: April 20 2007, 14:08 PM Post subject:

Mr Nice wrote: Though HH, I know many a Frenchmen that will give to nod the Carpentier as French top dog - though i'm not inclinded to agree. Mr. Nice, I knew somebody would say that! To be honest with you I do not think Georges should be mentioned in the same breath as Marcel. Anyone who can start out at featherweight and challenge Dempsey at heavyweight has my respect, however, his record is littered with the scalps of novices and twilight fighters. For me Cerdan was the genuine article who could have gone down level pegging with Hagler, Monzon and Robinson.

Incidentally, I collect boxing autographs and put a bid in for ú350 of Cerdan's on a photograph with Edith Piaf. It was turned down!

Mr Nice · Joined: 21 Feb 2006 Posts: 561 Location: Marseille

You'll get no complaints from me HH, for me Cerdan is right up there with the very best.

Dadgad · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1897

Terrific piece, HH.

Probably the single most under rated middleweight in history.

HitHard · Posted: April 20 2007, 18:16 PM Post subject:

Thanks guys; I resurrected this piece from well over a year ago. If it spurns an interest in Cerdan from other members who are not too familiar with Cerdan, then it has been worthwhile.

Dadgad, is that Kid Cutler squaring up against Johnson? Looking at the photo, it looks like Johnson seems to think it will be an easy trip out, seeing he knocked him out in round one, he wasn't wrong! Just Boxrec'd it.

Dadgad · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1897

HitHard wrote: Thanks guys; I resurrected this piece from well over a year ago. If it spurns an interest in Cerdan from other members who are not too familiar with Cerdan, then it has been worthwhile.

Dadgad, is that Kid Cutler squaring up against Johnson? Looking at the photo, it looks like Johnson seems to think it will be an easy trip out, seeing he knocked him out in round one, he wasn't wrong! Just Boxrec'd it.

You've got a sharp eye, HH. :wink:

It is Kid Cutler. Well spotted.

Martin · Posted: April 20 2007, 18:29 PM Post subject:

Great piece HH, an interesting read. I don't think I have seen Cerdan fight before? I will dig out my huge collection of videos/fights 1890-1970 and see if I can find something on him.

HitHard · Posted: April 20 2007, 19:10 PM Post subject:

Dadgad, great photo, where do you get them from? I would love to have all the true great framed in my office.

Martin, I know you love your boxing, believe me you will not be disappointed if you track down Marcel.

Dadgad · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1897

HitHard wrote: Dadgad, great photo, where do you get them from? I would love to have all the true great framed in my office.

Martin, I know you love your boxing, believe me you will not be disappointed if you track down Marcel.

Check out fighttoys.com. HH.

I nicked this from there, and there are many, many more great photos there.

Seer · Joined: 25 Oct 2005 Posts: 11681 Location: Alba

Facinating read HH... 8)

HitHard · Posted: April 20 2007, 20:07 PM Post subject:

Dadgad wrote: HitHard wrote: Dadgad, great photo, where do you get them from? I would love to have all the true great framed in my office.

Martin, I know you love your boxing, believe me you will not be disappointed if you track down Marcel.

Check out fighttoys.com. HH.

I nicked this from there, and there are many, many more great photos there. Dadgad, cheers for that.

Dadgad · Joined: 07 Oct 2006 Posts: 1897

HitHard wrote: Dadgad wrote: HitHard wrote: Dadgad, great photo, where do you get them from? I would love to have all the true great framed in my office.

Martin, I know you love your boxing, believe me you will not be disappointed if you track down Marcel.

Check out fighttoys.com. HH.

I nicked this from there, and there are many, many more great photos there. Dadgad, cheers for that.

You're welcome, mate.

HitHard · Posted: April 20 2007, 20:18 PM Post subject:

Just found this prose on fighttoys.com. Exactly what I was trying to say.

The Encyclopedia Of World Boxing Champions

One of the most tragic events in boxing history was the death of former middleweight champion Marcel Cerdan in a plane crash in the Azores on October 27, 1949. Cerdan, the greatest of all French champions, was enroute to the States to take back the title that Jake LaMotta had snitched from him. But this was incidental. The world grieved because Marcel had succeeded where de Gaulle had failed-he had revived the pride and prestige of a battered nation.
The only precedent for Cerdan's immense popularity on both sides of the Atlantic was the adulation of the French war hero, Georges Carpentier, during the Twenties. But Cerdan was more than a match for his American competitors. On September 21, 1948, in Jersey City, the Frenchman won the title by reducing tough Tony Zale to a helpless wreck in 11 rounds. He lost the title in Detroit on June 10, 1949, to the unpopular LaMotta. Though hopelessly handicapped by an injury to his left arm in the first round, Marcel survived ten rounds against an opponent he would otherwise have mauled.

John D. McCallum