Billy was champion in arguably the deepest division talent wise and won the belt against arguably the scariest most ferocious champion in that division’s history. Billy isn’t really talked about that much these days so I thought it’d be fun to have a discussion, any Papke articles you’ve read, any stories you read and enjoyed, your opinions on how he would fair against his predecessors/successors.
Evil, evil brute. Had to shoot himself in the heart three times to kill himself. Scarwled the likeness of his opponents on his heavy and speed bags. Killed his wife. Tore a prime Ketchel to pieces. There is absolutely no primary evidence that he punched Ketchel during the handshake, but it does appear that Ketchel did that to Papke at one stage. Unbeaten in a four fight series with the superb Hugo Kelly. Willie Lewis, Joe Thomas, George Caprantier, Tony Caponi, Jack Sullivan (past prime) and Dave Smith probably form the backbone of his wider resume. Run in was disastrous.
I really like watching him in action. He didn't use modern boxing techniques, but they way he completely neutralized Carpentier was impressive indeed. That's why I wouldn't be so sure about oldschool fighters being destroyed by modern ones with older gloves and rules. Carpentier certainly looked more modern and most people here would likely take him easily over Papke, but we can actually see Papke schooling him. Papke vs Ketchel was ugly, but even here Billy did a nice job against murderous puncher.
I like this story of him stepping to Catch Wrestler Farmer Burns and getting taught a lesson: This content is protected
I read that Leo Houck's corner accused Papke of using sliced gloves before their bout. The ref examined them and made him put on a new pair. Apparently during the fight Papke went after one of Houck's cornermen for being too noisy and then at some point got knocked out of the ring, got back in, and then head-butted Houck.
