On September 21, 1948, a 32-year-old Marcel Cerdan (107-3, 62 KOs) got a shot at the The Ring middleweight title held by 35-year-old American boxer Tony Zale (67-17-2, 45 KOs).
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 56% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 11 days. Zale was on a 4-fight win streak with a 52% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 3 months and 11 days.
The champion refused to continue the fight in the 11th round, and Marcel Cerdan is crowned the new The Ring middleweight world champion — in his first world-title fight. Cerdan improves his record to 108-3 (63 KOs), while Zale adds a loss to his record at 67-18-2.
On June 28, 1942, a 25-year-old Marcel Cerdan (64-1, 30 KOs) and Gaspard Deridder met in the ring.
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 20-fight win streak with a 46% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 11 days.
Marcel Cerdan stopped Gaspard Deridder via KO in the 1st round. Cerdan improves his record to 65-1 (31 KOs)
On January 26, 1941, a 24-year-old Marcel Cerdan (52-1, 20 KOs) and Young Raymond met in the ring for the 2nd time,.
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 8-fight win streak with a 37% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 7 days.
In the rematch, Marcel Cerdan stopped Young Raymond via RTD in the 6th round. Cerdan improves his record to 53-1 (21 KOs)
On May 13, 1945, a 28-year-old Marcel Cerdan (83-2, 46 KOs) and Jean Despeaux met in the ring.
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 16-fight win streak with a 54% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 4 days.
Marcel Cerdan stopped Jean Despeaux via KO in the 5th round. Cerdan improves his record to 84-2 (47 KOs)
On September 30, 1942, a 26-year-old Marcel Cerdan (67-2, 33 KOs) and Jose Ferrer met in the ring in a welterweight bout.
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 47% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 15 days.
Marcel Cerdan stopped Jose Ferrer via TKO in the 1st round. Cerdan improves his record to 68-2 (34 KOs)
On February 2, 1947, a 30-year-old Marcel Cerdan (97-2, 55 KOs) and Leon Fouquet met in the ring in a middleweight bout.
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 30-fight win streak with a 55% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 27 days.
Marcel Cerdan stopped Leon Fouquet via KO in the 1st round. Cerdan improves his record to 98-2 (56 KOs)
On December 8, 1945, a 29-year-old Marcel Cerdan (88-2, 50 KOs) and Victor Buttin met in the ring for the 2nd time,.
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 21-fight win streak with a 55% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 8 days.
In the rematch, Marcel Cerdan stopped Victor Buttin via KO in the 3rd round. Cerdan improves his record to 89-2 (51 KOs)
On January 26, 1948, a 31-year-old Marcel Cerdan (102-2, 59 KOs) and Giovanni Manca met in the ring in a middleweight bout.
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 35-fight win streak with a 56% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 26 days.
Marcel Cerdan stopped Giovanni Manca via KO in the 2nd round. Cerdan improves his record to 103-2 (60 KOs)
On March 29, 1949, a 32-year-old Marcel Cerdan (108-3, 63 KOs) and Dick Turpin met in the ring.
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 56% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 months and 8 days.
Marcel Cerdan stopped Dick Turpin via KO in the 7th round. Cerdan improves his record to 109-3 (64 KOs)
On February 9, 1948, a 31-year-old Marcel Cerdan (103-2, 60 KOs) and Jean Walzack met in the ring in a middleweight bout.
Cerdan came in to the fight on a 36-fight win streak with a 57% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 14 days.
Marcel Cerdan stopped Jean Walzack via KO in the 4th round. Cerdan improves his record to 104-2 (61 KOs)