Ketchel vs. LaMotta

can I see some primary sources for the 2nd fight please..

 

looks like i need to reconsider papke. perhaps i just laughing too much at his 'shorts' and tan lines to see the fighting

 

I think the winner might be determined in what era's ruleset was in effect...In the forties, LaMotta's underrated defense,weaving under those wide Ketchel swings, and then going to the body would take him to a points win. But In Ketchel's era, Stanley would problably clamp down on a arm, dig in his heels, and punch anywhere he could...making it sort of an alley fight...LaMotta might adapt pretty well to that, but he would definitely be fighting Ketchel's type of fight. I think the only fighter in the middleweights who would clearly beat Ketchel in his own era, ...was Bob Fitzsimmons. Others might beat Ketchel but it wouldn't be easy... in his own era.

 

I like it... Ketchel in a close toe to toe battle, WSD15. The both would get hit plenty but Lamotta would get hit a little more and Ketchel's punches would do more damage.... at least that's my opinion.

 

I don't understand why Ketchel doesn't get more respect? 53-5-5 (48KO) 1ND overall and 9-2 (5) in World Title Fights at WW, MW, and HW. He was World Champ at WW and MW.

He was only stopped twice. LKOby12 Billy Papke in his 52nd fight and LKOby Jack Johnson (205 1/2 Lbs., Ketchel was 170 Lbs.) in his 59th fight. Ketchel went 3-1 (1) vs. Papke.

As for Johnson... some say Johnson agreed to carry Ketchel the distance but when Ketchel dropped Johnson, Johnson quickly got up and finished Ketchel. Johnson knocked out a couple of Ketchel's teeth in the process and you can see Johnson wiping the teeth off of his glove as Ketchel gets counted out. I doubt Lamotta would have done any better vs. Johnson.

Ketchel also beat the likes of Mike Sukkivan, Jack Sullivan, and Philadelphia Jack O'Brien x2 (KO3 in the rematch).

He lost a very close decision to Sam Langford in his 61st fight. Some felt Ketchel should have won, both fighters fought well and showed a lot of power but neither man went down. They most likely would have fought again had Ketchel not been murdered at the age of 24.

 

Lamotta = Vito Antuofermo.
Iron chin, endless aggression and not big bangers. As Hagler crushed Antuofermo in their rematch, so would Ketchel crush Lamotta.
If you think I am implying that Hagler would beat the **** out of Lamotta, you bet your beautiful ass I am.

 

If the pace is rugged and the pressure I could see Ketchel getting stopped in a battle of attrition but it depends on how the fight is played out. I think styles favor Jake in a rugged war with Jake getting strong in the last 3rd.

 

This would have to be a great fight.

A murderous puncher in Ketchel. A true badass.

An iron chinned pit bull pressure fighter in LaMotta with underated ring smarts.

If Ketchel cant hurt him then he is probably gonna lose a decision. Jake was a powerful body puncher and he was relentless.

Ofcourse conditioning plays a large role in fights like this.

 

Tough fight to call either way but as much as LaMotta had a great chin Ketchel was also very durable this has distance fight written all over it and probably a fiercely disputed decision at the end of the fight .I am possibly in the minority but i ever so slightly lean toward Ketchel but only by the odd point

 

Ketchel would win, make no mistake.

LaMotta goes about his work in a manner that would have the 'Michigan Assassin' grinning at him from start to bloody finish.

When your greatest asset is neutralized you've got a problem. Resolute as Jake was, no 160lbs man could digest Ketchel's thunder for too long, but what makes this an unusually tough one for the 'Bronx Bull' is the kind of fight it would be.

As soon as the bell goes these two will be inseparable, but unless your name is Jack Johnson inside is the last place you want to be against Ketchel. He would lock your arms, waltz you off balance and rip you with uppercuts that left blotches, not bruises.

LaMotta will go forth as he always did, convinced that his physical strength will prevail; Stanley, a glutton of the Tom Cribb ilk, would only wave him in, continuing to crunch his jaw with techniques most fans are too predisposed to cite as 'skillful'.

Where LaMotta managed to make a dent in a slender Ray Robinson is where he would meet a meet a spiked barricade in Stanley.

This is more a hard workout than hard fight.

In a bout that disturbs the ringside doctor, Jake provides an ugly target, and Ketchel has all the necessary grit to witness its destruction.

 

You could make the same argument in LaMotta's favour. It just comes down to whom you feel is better in that type of a fight.

Personally I just don't see many middleweights getting the better of LaMotta in his type of a fight.