There is a discussion in the Reuben Fine wikipedia entry concerning why he declined to participate in the 1948 FIDE Championship match-tournament. He was, at the time, working on his doctorate at the University of Southern California (in Los Angeles). However, in 1947 he played a training match with Herman Steiner of Hollywood (a strong master and US Champion, which Fine won 5-1. My statements about his motivations echo the recollections of GM Larry Evans - a top young US player at the time.
Btw - Steiner wrote the chess column for the Los Angeles Times then, and stated that the match was intended as a "tune up" for Fine's participation in the 1948 event.
The watch results were 4 wins an 2 draws in favor of Fine.
https://www.chess.com/blog/Arihant2016/shining-light-on-garry-kasparov