The first Benn fight was Eubank's golden win. He punched straighter and used the ring well. Comparing his technique to Cerdan's however is close to black and white. The Frenchman tucked his chin, exploded with neat barrages and skipped about in between firing. I could see Eubank getting hit with a good few, complaining as they keep coming in the clinch then getting a slap from Ronnie in the corner. "Wake up, Chris! You're behind!" Pace, a key weapon against Eubank, Cerdan had oodles of. Chris liked to fight in spots. Benn successfully rushed his decisions in their first fight. Problem was Nigel was too open. Sure he had more power but Marcel had enough to fluster, keep Chris overthinking. The chance of the naturally bigger man getting through with something is always there but it's the weaker bet. The much better schooled fighter outworks Eubank for a decision, swelling his cheeks in the process.
it had been a few years so i just watched the zale fight again and i take back that he had sloppy punches. later on when he is loading up he does but for the first few rounds they are all crisp punches. same with punching with his chin up and getting hit, not so much in the early rounds.
Agreed. They were the second tier compared to the americans. Nunn, jones jnr, james toney Hopkins....Cant really blame them for staying over here...The gulfs very noticeable
marcel Cerdan a very clever fighter very good counterpuncher slip and throwing hooks Imho Cerdan completely out works Eubank. early rounds action packed back and forth between the two both giving as good as their getting, later on in the fight Cerdan steps up a gear and stars applying strong pressure pushes Eubank back and gives him a pounding, the cast iron chin of Eubank and huge heart keeps him their till the last bell Cerdan by decision
Yeah. I agree. I'd also mention how Steve Collins doesn't get the credit he deserves when people suggest his success against Eubank was only due to Eubank's allegedly being "past his prime". Actually it was more a case of Steve Collins (who'd started out fighting in America, including losses to McCallum and Reggie Johnson) realizing he'd have more success getting in the WBO/Brit circuit as super-middleweight. Collins didn't quite make the cut in the top tier so he joined the second-tier and did well.
Yeah, Collins tough enough for all of them just not skilled enough for the top boys to get the win...
Problem with Eubank he never fought in America so never got the recognition if he did . He didn't need to as some of his domestic fights in UK were classic's ( Benn , Watson ) and had a big following and big paydays. This thread is based on mw Eubank and he just didn't have the cv of Cerdan. Cerdan was very crude but was tough and fought better opponents. Cerdan too experienced and in a rough fight applies too much pressure on Eubank. Cerdan on points.
