Thomas Hearns Vs Marcel Cerdan: Mythical Matchup for the AGES

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For our next mythical matchup, I’ll pit the two men who were the subjects of my most recent articles. First we have Thomas “Hitman” Hearns, one of the great boxing stars of the 80’s and a 5-division world champion. The lanky Hearns, standing 6’1’’, was not only one of the most devastating power punchers in boxing history but also an outstanding boxer who outpointed the likes of Wilfred Benitez and Virgil Hill. He also gave the great Sugar Ray Leonard fits over the course of 26 hotly contested rounds. Hearns is coming off his spectacular and shocking June 1984 second round knockout victory over Roberto Duran. The 26 year old Hitman comes in with a record of 39-1, 33 KOs.

Marcel Cerdan was one of the greatest Middleweight champions in boxing history. Cerdan, also known as the “Casablanca Clouter”, was a rugged, hard punching fighter who toiled in obscurity in Europe for much of his career. However, he proved he was the real deal defeating hall of famer Holman Williams in 1946. Ultimately, he captured the Middleweight title in June 1948, overwhelming the legendary “Man of Steel” Tony Zale, winning by an 11th round TKO. The 32 year old Cerdan comes into this fight coming off that victory. His record entering this contest is an amazing 110-3, 64 KOs.

So, who takes it in this battle of legends, Hearns or Cerdan? Let’s find out.

Let’s Settle This in the Ring

On a cool October evening, a capacity crowd has gathered at the Madison Square Garden to watch one of the most intriguing Middleweight matchups we’ve seen in some time as Thomas Hearns faces Marcel Cerdan. The Las Vegas odds-makers have made Cerdan a slight 6-5 favorite while boxing experts are evenly divided. Some believe the red hot “Hitman” will be too tall, fast and powerful for Cerdan. Others question Hearns’ durability as a Middleweight and believe that Cerdan superior strength and stamina will carry the day.

The fighters enter the ring just after 11:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time. Cerdan weighed in at the Middleweight limit of 160 lbs. Hearns comes in tonight at 159. Michael Buffer gives the introductions and the fighters move to the center of the ring to receive their final instructions from referee Tony Perez. The Hitman towers over the 5’8’’ Cerdan. Both men touch gloves and the bell rings for round one.

The Hitman’s height and reach advantages are telling early. He keeps Cerdan on the end of his jab over the first half of the opening round. Cerdan tries to work his way inside but eats a jab and a hard right hand which snaps his head back. Cerdan returns to his corner with a puzzled look on his face as the bell rings. As round two starts, The Casablanca Clouter simply has no answers for the Hitman’s jab and superior hand speed. Hearns nails Cerdan with another stinging right and follows up with a blistering three punch combination that stuns him late in the round. By the time the round comes to a close, there is already swelling under Marcel’s left eye.

Round three features more of the same with Hearns dominating at long range. It’s tough sledding for the Casablanca Clouter right now. On the outside he can’t compete with the rangy Hearns. Every time he tries to move inside, he continues to eat powerful right hands from the Hitman. There is now significant swelling under Cerdan’s left eye. Hearns has the better of the action over the two minutes of round four as well. However, Cerdan finally works his way inside and lands a thudding left hook to the body which takes the wind out of Tommy’s sails with 45 seconds remaining. Tommy retreats to the ropes as the Casablanca Clouter works him over to the body and head.

Cerdan begins to have more success muscling his way inside in round five, imposing his size and strength. With 30 seconds remaining, he lands a tremendous right which sends Hearns crashing to the canvas. Tommy is up at the count of 7. The Casablanca Clouter follows up with a left hook which shakes Hearns again. As the bell rings, a dazed Hearns nearly returns to the wrong corner.
As the sixth round begins, the Hitman is still on very unsteady legs. Cerdan stalks patiently over the first half of the round. Then with 1:15 remaining, the Casablanca Clouter lands a wicked left hook that sends Hearns reeling to the ropes. Cerdan batters him to the body and head. Tommy doesn’t have a leg under him as Perez watches intently, seemingly ready to step in and stop the fight. Just when he seems to be out of the fight, the Hitman uncorks a wild right that staggers Cerdan. Now it is the Casablanca Clouter that appears to be in serious trouble. Hearns lands another devastating right that buckles Cerdan’s knees. The Hitman seems to have recaptured the momentum with his late rally. However, he returns the corner grimacing in pain and shaking his right hand.

In Round 7, Hearns barely uses his right hand which is now clearly compromised. However, even with one good hand he still controls the round. Now, like in his fight with Sugar Ray Leonard, he relies on his boxing skills keeping Cerdan off balance with his speed, movement and educated left jab. Tommy also controls Round 8. Cerdan is pursuing but unable to trap the quick handed and fleet footed Hearns. Tommy’s jab is like a trip hammer, finding the face of Cerdan time and again. By the close of the round, the swelling under Cerdan’s left eye has increased to an alarming level. He’s now suffering from swelling under his right eye as well.

This pattern continues for the first two minutes of Round 9 as Hearns is too quick for Cerdan. However, over the final minute Cerdan begins to work his way inside. With 20 seconds remaining, he lands a hard right to the body which causes Tommy to groan. Hearns seems to be tiring as he returns to his corner. The Casablanca Clouter comes on strong in Round 10 battering the Hitman to the body over the first two minutes of the round. Tommy is now visibly tired and his balance seems shaky. Cerdan lands a tremendous left hook over Hearns’ low right hand buckling his knees as the round comes to a close. The Madison Square Garden crowd is on its feet, sensing the change in momentum.

Emmanuel Stewart chastises the Hitman in the corner imploring him to box and move: “Stop standing stationary with this guy! Use your legs and use your left jab! You’re ahead on points! Don’t blow it now!” Tommy nods his head in agreement but his body just won’t cooperate as we enter the 11th round. The Casablanca Clouter pours it on battering Hearns along the ropes. Cerdan lands a tremendous overhand right which wobbles Hearns. Tommy is dead game and tries to fire back but his legs appear to be shot. With 10 seconds remaining, the Casablanca Clouter connects with a devastating left hook that sends him to the canvas. Hearns barely beats the count and only the bell saves him from a certain stoppage.

Stewart considers stopping the fight in the corner but reluctantly allows Hearns to go out for the 12th round. With 2:30 remaining, Cerdan lands a devastating right which leaves Tommy reeling along the ropes. The Casablanca Clouter follows with a three punch combination capped off by a crushing left hook which sends Hearns to the canvas for the third time in the fight. This time he would not get up. Marcel Cerdan wins by a knockout at 0:49 of the 12th round.

In the post-fight interviews, Cerdan is very complimentary of Hearns. “This was a very tough fight and I’m grateful to come away with the victory. This guy hits as hard as anyone I’ve ever faced and he’s also very fast. Luckily, I was able to catch him and wear him down.”

In his post-fight comments, Hearns said: “I thought I had things going my way but I hurt my right hand and got caught. What can I say, it happens? Cerdan is a great fighter and I can’t take anything away from him.” The Madison Square Garden crowd leaves for the night completely pleased and satisfied, having witnessed an outstanding battle between two all-time greats.