Cerdan looks like he has the footspeed to close some distance...but Overlin's resume clearly outshines Cerdan. I put it out there...but I'm not picking.
I saw Marcel Cerdan fight Georgie Abrams,winning a close decision, but never saw Ken Overlin fight. But based on his record against a better array of fighters, I pick Ken Overlin to outspeed Marcel Cerdan. Overlin,beat amongst others, Ezzard Charles, Ceferino Garcia, Al Hostak [a blaster], Fred Apostoli, Steve Belloise 2, Nate Bolden etc. Overlin when in shape, [he liked his spirits] ,was a great fighter,who was called, "the poor man's Harry Greb ", which was quite a compliment. Overlin by majority decision over Cerdan...
to take for granted Cerdan's non American comp was less than the American crop is not entirely accurate nor fair to boxing history... SOME of his Euro crop were great fighters and worthy opponents, you then combine them with the American fighters Cerdan did beat and you've got a fighter in Cerdan worth every bit of accolade he was given then and still now. Cerdan wins, IMHO.
Imposable to choose here, Ken caught hell from Rankins and Apostoli. Two highly aggressive swarmers and I don't believe Marcel ever showed his best in the USA.
It's nice to see these pre-Robinson middleweights getting some propers. Georgie Abrams, Ken Overlin, Cerdan, Freddie Steele, Aposti, Garcia, Al Hosak, and Marcel Thil were all outstanding boxers who haven't always received the credit they deserve.
Cerdan gets the glory, but Overlin was a very good fighter with an exceptional level of competition- much better than Marcel's IMO. He'd be better remembered if he hadn't been robbed against Soose twice, too. It's a shame we don't have more footage of Overlin...he seems criminally overlooked. I'd favor him to win on points vs Cerdan.
Respect to all...But this is the man's opinion I was lookin' for...it is impossible to tell. I think it would be a good fight. Cerdan would carry more pop, but Overlin might push, pull and dance away making it a tough, tough go all the way.
Kens a tough fighter to dope. He may have only been in terrific shape once for the Garcia title challenge which he won in style. Had old Nat Fleisher gushing about his showing, comparing him to past masters ect.
T,which European fighter did Cerdan fight who can remotely compare to the likes of Al Hostak, Ezzard Charles, Fred Apostoli, Steve Belloise,Nate Bolden,Fred Henneberry etc that Ken Overlin fought in his long career.? None, truly. Cerdan was a great fighter, but Ken Overlin beat and drew with a great Ezzard Charles,and Al Hostak amongst others ,who were superior to Cerdan's opponents in Europe. Cheers...
Burt, just because´s the US crowd is better known and researched doesn´t mean it was better- it very well may have been though.
