Of my recent viewing of old fights, this was the first that I found fun to watch. Really it was a one-sided fight, but I knew all the action would happen at the end, and I wasn't disappointed. Ketchel was floored briefly in the 2nd, but the one-sided nature of the fight continued up until the 12th. I knew from reading that Johnson was down in the 12th, but it totally surprised me. Johnson had been in total control up to this point, and all the sudden Ketchel pulls back with this MASSIVE right haymaker, sending Johnson down promptly. The moment Johnson was up he smashed a double right hand into Ketchel that sent him flat on his back, and Johnson went down with him. Tbh, it was the most sloppy, fast, and hectic moment I ever saw. Turn away for just 10 seconds and u could miss it. Johnson goes down, gets up and floors Ketchel. Verdict: Slow, methodical, almost sadistic humiliation of Ketchel, though not a beatdown like Johnson gave Burns. Great 12th round. Loads of fun to watch. Anybody else have any input on this classic fight?
Any other fight that comes to mind where one guy gets knocked down and gets up and knocks the other guy out? Eubank over Watson?
The version of events I tend to believe is that Johnson agreed to take it easy on Ketchel to give the fans a show. In the twelth round Ketchel pulled a fast one & loaded up the right hand & decked an unsuspecting Johnson. Obviously ticked off he knocked Ketchel's teeth out.
It was a battle of champions and 4 some reason they thought it could be good. It sounds good 2 bill these 2, but the results could not have been any better w/ the huge size difference.
The recent light-welter Zepeda - Baranchyk fight of the year, springs to mind. Haven’t seen them for years, but theTerry Norris - Luis Santana fights were incident packed. Must watch again.
Think it was more a name thing than actual fair fight. Giving the famous Ketchell a shot at the infamous Johnson. And like today, certain fans would have picked their favorite to win, even tho Stan really never stood a chance.
I don't , looked like Jack was sort of on the way down before the full impact of the blow, watch closely and you will see what I mean.
Wonder why Ray Robinson turn down such a big payday vs Marciano. Ketchell could not of turn it down lol.
Different times, eras I suppose. Rules and regulations a little stricter by Rocks day. Just a theory, it was a money making thing for em both and they couldn't resist.
Johnson owned him, played with him , diced him up, held him up and flattened him .. I think the ending was real ... Jack got kinda caught/kinda embarrassed and blasted out a wide open, over zealous Ketchel ..
