Cyrille Delannoit pugile

Cyrille Delannoit (alternatively Cyriel Delannoit; Geraardsbergen, 13 March 1926 – 9 February 1998) was a Belgian boxer. He was also known by his nickname Tarzan. In 1948, he became European boxing champion in the middleweight class.Delannoit came from a working-class family with 12 children from a working-class neighborhood. Of the 7 sons, three were boxers. Cyriel, known for his powerful punch was certainly the most famous of the brothers and Belgian champion in 1947. On 23 May 1948, he defeated reigning European champion middleweight Marcel Cerdan in a fight in Heysel Stadium in Brussels in front of 20,000 spectators. The victory by a decision in 15 rounds was all the more remarkable because it was the first defeat of Cerdan in 105 boxing fights. Cerdan however won the rematch on 10 July 1948 less than two months later again by a decision.Cyriel Delannoit continued his achievements by recapturing the title again in November 1948 after a win on points against Dutch boxer Luc van Dam.In 1949 he lost back the title to the Italian boxer Tiberio Mitri. On 1 July 1951, he lost a crucial game to world champion Sugar Ray Robinson in 3rd round. Delannoit's shining days had finished despite further matches.In 1951, he appeared briefly in the film Ah! Qu'il fait bon chez nous acting as himself.