Marcel Cerdan

Marcel Cerdan
Cerdan in 1948
Personal information
Nickname(s)
Le bombardier marocain (The Moroccan Bomber)
Casablanca Clouter
NationalityFrench
BornMarcellin Cerdan
22 July 1916
Sidi Bel Abbès, French Algeria
Died28 October 1949(1949-10-28) (aged 33)
São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
Height5 ft 6+12 in (169 cm)
WeightWelterweight
Middleweight
Boxing career
Reach69 in (175 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights114
Wins110
Win by KO65
Losses4

Marcellin "Marcel" Cerdan (French pronunciation: [maʁsɛl sɛʁdɑ̃]; 22 July 1916 – 28 October 1949) was a French professional boxer and world middleweight champion in 1948-1949. He was considered by many boxing experts and fans to be France's greatest boxer, and beyond to be one of the best to have learned his craft in Africa. Nicknamed "the Moroccan bomber" or "the man with hands of clay", his talent led him to France in 1938 where he became French champion three times and then European champion in the welterweight category. His life was marked by his sporting achievements, social lifestyle and, ultimately, tragedy, being killed in an airplane crash.