How Great Do You Feel Marcel Cerdan Was?

I've always said we'll never know how truly good Cerdan was or could've been. He looks freakin' damn impressive on film, but circumstances basically shut him out of big fights during what should've been his prime years. He was supposedly being considered for a title shot at Henry Armstrong right when Hitler invaded France, and Cerdan spent the next several years either in the service, trapped in his own country, or on the run. When he finally was free to fight the top MWs, he fought several of the guys he should've been given a chance to fight years earlier (Zale, Holman, Abrams), and he still beat them, which I believe he deserves credit for. However, he'll always be somewhat tough to rate in comparison with other ATGs IMO.

 

Overrated at middleweight and untested at WW. Thil was better and more proven IMO.

 

I never knew he nearly got a shot at Armstrong. His record and dominance on the European scene over such a long period is impressive, it wasnt the best talent but it still had quality operators. He was Double European Champion when it actually meant something, the equivilent of WBO/IBF titles back then. His wins over Zale and Williams are excellent wins, the Lamota loss at the age of 33 was controversal. It would have been interesting to see him in against more of the American contenders and Lamotta rematches and a Robinson fight would be mouth watering.

 

I don't know, I don't know how good he was at that stage of his career. It seems like he must not have developed his power yet, because he didn't have nearly the KO% he would have a couple years later.

If I had to choose, I would have to favor the more proven and experienced Armstrong over him.

 

Great offensive fighter, though somewhat one-dimensional imo.

Almost certainly more stylistically effective as a welter.

 

He has some excellent wins and seemed very strong in films I saw but he was not as good as Lamotta

 

I remember Rocky Mattioli fought Maurice Hope and broke his hand early in the fight and lost...they had a rematch and Hope won again...sometimes a fighter just got your number.....Cerdan was one of the best fighters out of Europe at that time but I think Jake beats him most of the time.

 

i don't think cerdan woud've beaten armstrong but i think he would have won a thriller versus rocky graziano at 154lb.

 

Cerdan was a great fighter.

Talk to anyone who lived through the time and they'll tell you how good he was. Most contemporaries fully expected Cerdan to beat La Motta in the rematch.

Ezzard Charles considered him to be the world's best fighter at one point.

Certain fighters fall out of favour. Cerdan is one of them.

 

I feel Cerdan is a top all time 8 middle weight. One must watch the films of Cerdan. He's a powerhouse type of fighter with a lights out left hook, but unlike many but unlike many big puncher's Cerdan has a high guard, good head movement to compliment his big punch and iron chin.

 

Great words... far more accompished stylistically than the Face-Broken M/W Champs of the time. I think Cerdans loss of life left the M/Ws humble until SRR came along.