French Welterweight Marcel Cerdan Jr. Dies at Age 81
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Marseille, France (February 1st, 2025)– French welterweight contender Marcel Cerdan Jr. of Marseille, France, oldest of three sons of the late former World Middleweight champion Marcel Cerdan, died of pneumonia in Issy-les Moulineaux, France, at age 81, according the media source L’Equipe.
His late father, ‘The Casablanca Clouter’ Marcel Cerdan of Sidi Bel-Abbes, Algeria, later Paris, France, the European Middleweight champion, On September 21, 1948, Cerdan traveled to the United states, fought and defeated ‘The Man of Steel’, World Middleweight Champion Tony Zale in Jersey City, New Jersey, winning by a won by twelfth-round TKO.
Cerdan Sr. lost the World Middleweight title in his first defense on June 16, 1949 to ‘The Raging Bull’ Jake LaMotta via tenth-round TKO. Cerdan injured a shoulder when the two fell to the canvas during a first-round struggle. Cerdan was forced to fight on fought with one-arm until his corner retirement after the tenth round, in an era where the No-Contest within the first four rounds due to an accidental cut, head butt or injury was not yet on the books. Flying back to the United States for a rematch with LaMotta later in 1949, the elder Cerdan was tragically killed when his plane crashed in the Azores.
Cerdan did not want his children to become boxers. Marcel Cerdan Jr. entered the fight game anyway, boxing professionally between 1964 and 1975, compiling a professional record of 56 wins, five losses and three draws, with 18 knockouts. He was looked after by his father’s ex, singer Edith Piaf, as he pursued his boxing career. A hard working fighter, Cerdan Jr. still had a famous name which could draw, though he lacked his late father’s ability and punching prowess. Young Cerdan never received a title shot, retiring after a 12 round decision loss to Robert Gallois in December 1972 in Paris, who he had previously defeated by 10 round decision in 1965. A comeback attempt by Marcel Cerdan Jr. in May 1975 in Eupen, Belgium, against 11-9 German journeyman Kurt Hombach, a loser of seven straight, ended in a 10 round draw.
English
No Comments Yet