Some film of Ketchel: vs. Papke [yt]0pVSDwPoNfs[/yt] vs. Johnson [yt]yJ0Lufb4tUI[/yt] This guy makes Ruiz look downright clean. I have never seen this much blatant wrestling in a boxing match from the early 20th century. Ever.
I'll take Hagler, main reason being he would take the power coming his way, and he was brilliant in his own right.
I think Marv would be way too advanced and could box rings arounds Ketchel and damage him en route to an 8th round stoppage. If it was allowed under Ketchel's rules it would be much closer, he could maul Hagler as much as he wanted and use his own strength to stop Marv from getting out too often. Less referee intervention means Marv has to literally pull himself away from Ketchel and try to re-establish range and generalship. But Marv was no niceguy on the inside either, and again he seems so much more advanced and fluent. I think he would beat Ketchel on points, though he would need his stone-clad chin to do so.
If the fight is held under modern rules then Hagler boxes Ketchel's ears off to either a clear points win or a late round ko.If it's under the rules of Stanley's time then Ketchel has a chance to grab and maul his way to either a narrow points win or loss. Watching these old films just brings to light how boxing has evolved over the past 100 years or so. In this fight you see way too much holding, clinching and wrestling and no combination punching at all. These guys were tough and conditioned no doubt but the skill level is far from the likes of Hagler, Robinson, Hopkins, Monzon et al. No referee today would allow that much holding and clinching and the crowd would probably boo them both out of the arena.
You can't entirely rule out a man with the power of Ketchel, but he looks crude and raw on film to me.Hagler had a top chin ,fine skills great balance ,and good power himself ,he takes a dec.
Even by early 20th century standards, the wrestling in this fight is ridiculous. That being said, I'd also pick Hagler by decision. Under earlier rules, he might get out-wrestled on the inside and lose a decision (expect a very, very angry soundbite in the postfight interviews from Hagler). However, most refs in that era would probably break it up sooner than the guy in this video...or try to.
I've been watching these highlights of Ketchel lately...and I've come to the conclusion that I've seriously underestimated Ketchel. Some observations. Ketchel has quicker footwork than given credit for. He has the awareness and ability to get out of the way, breaking Papke's offensive rythym. Ketchel can also close the distance quickly. Watch for Ketchel feinting with his footwork...You have to respect it, he is capable of knocking your head off. In the highlights I've seen, he never goes against the ropes, and he is always attempting to put the opponent there. This strongly suggests that he is very aware of where he is in the ring, and is maximizing his style of fighting. Will use a strong step jab to the body, then lean to the right side to avoid right hand counters. I'm pretty sure that Floyd Mayweather Sr. did not show him this. it also helps him to close distance to get inside. In his era, any era for that matter, a great inside fighter. Ketchel is downright vicious, he mauls, pushes and simply uproots opponents from their base. Ketchel looks to be an expert at finding and making openings inside by making the opponent defend high and low with a varied, relentless, inside mugging. Turns his body weight into each punch with the intent to hurt. Ketchel may look crude, but as stated before, he is great at maximizing his style. On the inside, he can completely smother an opponent. Remember how Duran would smother Palomino, and the first Leonard fight, getting his shots off then crowding. Ketchel looks adept at doing the same. Will also turn southpaw on the inside to find angles for using his left hook in the clinches. Enough endurance to come at you bell to bell for twenty rounds. If the fight has a referee from Ketchel's era, Hagler could definitely lose.
Id prefer to see the Welterweight Tommy Hearns who destroyed Duran take on Ketchel... I think Hearns would be ashamed of himself for destroying the most over rated M/W in Boxings history within 40 seconds. Haglar would destroy Ketchell in the first round. Gentlemen.. look at the ****ing FILM... Stop fooling yourselves.. Ketchel and Papke are PATHETIC. Where's my Bourbon.....?????
Stanley Ketchel believe it or not hit harder and was a far better finisher than anyone Hagler fought. If ANY middle in history can dent Haglers chin, it is Stanley Ketchel. To the posters above who compared Stanley Ketchel to Alan Minter and Ricky Hatton...well then your response is pathetic and not worthy of a reply. Ketchel had the punching power,skills, finishing ability, and handspeed of a jack dempsey on the offensive. Ketchel was a murderer. Hagler better box him and not go to war with Ketchel. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE stanley! Funny how some call him crude when Ketchels best film is not out there. In fact the Papke 4th fight was more of a exhibition compared to there first 3 fights. Such a shame Ketchels real film is missing. If the only Film of evander holyfield was his waltz with Vaughn Bean...I am sure people would never pick him to win any fantasy fights.
Bill Papke was a hall of famer. A very good middleweight in history if not great one. Very respectable resume. His best stuff is not on film. The 4th Papke-Ketchel fight was more of a exhibition. The other 3 were WARS and sadly none of them made it on film.