Marcellin \"Marcel\" Cerdan was a French pied noir world boxing champion who 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.

He began boxing professionally on November 4, 1934 in Meknes, Morocco, beating Marcel Bucchianeri by a decision in six rounds. Cerdan then ran a streak of 47 wins in a row between that first bout and January 4, 1939, when he lost for the first time, to Harry Craster by a disqualification in five rounds in London.