On September 21, 1948, the 35-year-old The Ring middleweight world champion, Tony Zale (67-17-2, 45 KOs), faced a 32-year-old French boxer Marcel Cerdan (107-3, 62 KOs), in a title defense fight.
Zale came in to the fight on a 4-fight win streak with a 52% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 3 months and 11 days. Cerdan was on a 1-fight win streak with a 56% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 2 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 July 16, 1947, Tony Zale and Rocky Graziano met again in a rematch.
Zale came in to the fight on a 12-fight win streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 8 days. Graziano was on a 2-fight win streak with a 57% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 1 month.
In the rematch, Rocky Graziano stopped the champion via TKO in the 6th round of the 15-round world-title fight, winning the first world title of his career, and is crowned the new The Ring middleweight champion. Graziano improves his record to 46-7-5 (34 KOs), while Zale adds a loss to his record at 63-17-2.
On February 13, 1942, a 28-year-old Tony Zale (51-15-2, 29 KOs) and a 24-year-old Billy Conn (61-10-1, 13 KOs) met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 8-fight win streak with a 42% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 months and 16 days. Conn was on a 2-fight win streak with a 18% KO rate, and fighting after a layoff of 16 days.
Billy Conn defeated Tony Zale via unanimous decision in the 12-round fight. Conn improves his record to 62-10-1, while Zale adds a loss to his record at 51-16-2.
On August 21, 1940, a 27-year-old Tony Zale (43-14-2, 24 KOs) and Billy Soose met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 12-fight win streak with a 40% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 2 days.
Tony Zale lost to Billy Soose via unanimous decision in the 10-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 43-15-2.
On January 2, 1939, a 25-year-old Tony Zale (31-13-2, 14 KOs) and Nate Bolden met in the ring for the 4th time,.
Zale came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 30% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 15 days.
Tony Zale lost to Nate Bolden via points decision in the 10-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 31-14-2.
On August 22, 1938, a 25-year-old Tony Zale (28-12-2, 13 KOs) and Billy Celebron met in the ring for the 2nd time,.
Zale came in to the fight after a draw in his last fight with a 31% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 4 days.
Tony Zale lost to Billy Celebron via points decision in the 10-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 28-13-2.
On February 21, 1938, a 24-year-old Tony Zale (25-11-1, 11 KOs) and Jimmy Clark met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 4-fight win streak with a 29% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 28 days.
Tony Zale lost to Jimmy Clark via KO in the 1st round, and adds an loss to his record at 25-12-1.
On November 1, 1937, a 24-year-old Tony Zale (21-10-1, 11 KOs) and Nate Bolden met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 3-fight win streak with a 34% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 14 days.
Tony Zale lost to Nate Bolden via points decision in the 5-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 21-11-1.
On August 16, 1937, a 24-year-old Tony Zale (18-9-1, 8 KOs) and Manuel Davila met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 28% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 21 days.
Tony Zale lost to Manuel Davila via points decision in the 4-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 18-10-1.
On July 2, 1935, a 22-year-old Tony Zale (17-8, 8 KOs) and Dave Clark met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 2-fight losing streak with a 32% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 26 days.
Tony Zale lost to Dave Clark via points decision in the 5-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 17-9.
On May 6, 1935, a 21-year-old Tony Zale (17-7, 8 KOs) and Johnny Phagan met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 33% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 1 month and 9 days.
Tony Zale lost to Johnny Phagan via KO in the 6th round, and adds an loss to his record at 17-8.
On March 27, 1935, a 21-year-old Tony Zale (17-6, 8 KOs) and Roughhouse Glover met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 2-fight win streak with a 34% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 16 days.
Tony Zale lost to Roughhouse Glover via TKO in the 9th round, and adds an loss to his record at 17-7.
On December 28, 1934, a 21-year-old Tony Zale (15-5, 8 KOs) and Joey Bazzone met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 2-fight losing streak with a 40% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 11 days.
Tony Zale lost to Joey Bazzone via points decision in the 6-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 15-6.
On December 17, 1934, a 21-year-old Tony Zale (15-4, 8 KOs) and Jack Gibbons met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 42% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 21 days.
Tony Zale lost to Jack Gibbons via points decision in the 10-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 15-5.
On November 26, 1934, a 21-year-old Tony Zale (15-3, 8 KOs) and Kid Leonard met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 5-fight win streak with a 44% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 21 days.
Tony Zale lost to Kid Leonard via points decision in the 10-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 15-4.
On September 3, 1934, a 21-year-old Tony Zale (10-2, 5 KOs) and Mickey Misko met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 1-fight win streak with a 41% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 7 days.
Tony Zale lost to Mickey Misko via points decision in the 8-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 10-3.
On August 15, 1934, a 21-year-old Tony Zale (9-1, 5 KOs) and George Black met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 1-fight losing streak with a 50% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 2 days.
Tony Zale lost to George Black via points decision in the 6-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 9-2.
On August 13, 1934, a 21-year-old Tony Zale (9-0, 5 KOs) and Billy Hood met in the ring.
Zale came in to the fight on a 9-fight win streak with a 55% KO rate, and was fighting after a gap of 6 days.
Tony Zale lost to Billy Hood via points decision in the 6-round fight, and adds an loss to his record at 9-1.