How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

Plus: Can you recommend a FACTUAL Stan Ketchel biography?

Re: How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

Yes, "Stanley Ketchel : The Michigan Assassin" , by Nat Fleischer...
A short biography by someone who knew him and saw his fights...

Re: How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

Thanks Burt, too bad the only goddamn copy I can find is £150, almost $200. Do you have it? Is it a good read? What was Stan like? Anything like the hellraiser he was portrayed as in 'Killings of Stanley Ketchel'?

Re: How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

I loved the book 'The Killing of Stanley Ketchel.' I do not know how much is true but it all sounded true.

Re: How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

Stanley Ketchel lived in Butte, MT (where I currently reside) and had 41 fights here, I believe. He worked as a bouncer in brothels and saloons from the time he was 15: The corner that he lived on is now a parking lot decorated with wrought iron figurines and a placard referencing the town's 'red-light' district. He was ultimately run out of town for having no visible means of support and thereafter he held a grudge against Butte and never acknowledged having lived here.
A local historian had devoted many years of research to writing a book about Ketchel's time in Butte. I spoke to him a couple times and he had recorded interviews with many people that knew Ketchel and had a very strong pro-Ketchel bias when it came to his view of the greatest fighters ever. Alas, he died 3 or 4 years ago and the book was never finished.

Re: How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

Good info. I'd love to think that the Killings of Stanley Ketchel is pretty much the same way his life went.

Re: How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

Yes MrB, I HAD the book for over 65 years until Hurricane Sandy came and flooded this priceless book alongst with hundreds of old Ring Mags that i accumulated during my lifetime...All about ruined...Oh well, I still have my memory's though ! Maybe it is still salvageable when I'm able to get home...

Re: How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

Very sorry Burt. I hope it will be better than you think.:good

Re: How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

Supposedly it's all fiction. Killed me when I read that. I thought it was real.

Re: How much of 'The Killings of Stanley Ketchel' is truth?
 

Fleischer devotes an entire chapter in 50 years at ringside to Ketchel. He rates him as the greatest middleweight ever.....fearless and one punch ko power in either fist. Personally Fleischer was very friendly with Ketchel and spoke of him fondly. Supposedly Stanley was very fond of playing practical jokes especially with those from the press.