Yes it was a shame Cerdan didn't come to America til 1946,when I saw Marcel win a close Decision from the tough Georgie Abrams at MSG. It was a great fight in front of a packed house. Cerdan was 30 years old at that time, in his prime. About 4 months later Georgie Abrams lost a controversial decision to Ray Robinson. Cerdan I recall was a great crowd pleaser, never taking a back step...
Ezzard Charles was witness to these accomplishments and came back home singing the Frenchman's praises.
I'll never forget that bout Joe. We had heard about this Frenchman,and how good he was. Well the bout didn't dissapoint us. Cerdan came roaring out from the git go and swarmed all over Abrams and it looked like Abrams wouldn't last , but last Georgie did and settled down to make it a close decision for Cerdan. Abrams was a helluva fighter also . Abrams beat Teddy Yarosz, Steve Belloise, Billy Soose 2, Jimmy Leto, Cocoa Kid, Lou Brouillard. He also lost a controversial decision to Ray Robinson,drew with Charley Burley,and Fred Henneberry. Today , no doubt he'd be MW champion...Cheers..