Stanley Ketchel

Top ten.

 

From what I've read Ketchel was in a steep decline when he was murdered.As to him coping with scientific boxers he kod O Brien twice ,albeit he ran out of time in one of their fights.

 

Cant see him cracking the top 5 but definitely top 10

 

I read the same Mcvey. But I don't wish to jump to conclusions. Ketchel was on a wellness retreat basically when he died. He did some questionable/uncalled for behavior towards the woman which lead to his death.
But had the couple been removed which i believe was about to happen & Ketchel was allowed to focus he could have turned around his addiction.

We can't guess his state of mind. Making an assumption I don't feel is right. Mysterious Billy Smith turned around his career at age 26 it could be done..it was done before. Ketchel could of done it perhaps. Never count out the heart of a champion.

I think that whole event that killed Ketchel could have got very different route in a very short time. Ketchel just rolled snake eyes and got dealt the death card.

 

Given that, and that he lacks any fundamentals, suggests the myth has taken over the reality. Imagine what someone like Hagler would have done if a crude, drunk, drug addled guy who had basic training and was only 24 years old had got in the ring with him. Any footage I see of Ketchel is embarrassing. Probably a very strong, tough, spiteful fighting man but nothing like an elite fighter.

 

For me Ketchel is in the top 10 middleweights of all time.

 

Did Ketchel share the ring with Langford at one time?

 

Yes, in a 6-round no decision bout. The heavier Langford was considered to have had the better of the action and some reports suggested he took it easy on Ketchel.

 

I recall reading an account of that. Sam had said didn't carry Ketchel that he just couldn't take him out in 6. Something along those lines. Considering who Sam was i thought that was interesting.

 

Iirc, in Clay Moyle's excellent biography on Langford, it was suggested the purpose of the 6-rounder was to build interest in a bigger, longer round/title fight between the two, and was implied Langford took it easy on Ketchel to that end.

 

That might have been the case.

 

Fascinating character

What are his best 3 wins and why?

 

Were do you suspect Ketchel may sit P4P all time if you don't mind me asking.

 

I don’t mind at all mate. He's not in my 50 and I didn’t go any lower than 50. Iirc, McGrain has him top 30.