I'd have to pick Tommy Burns to win this by decision. Sure, Ketchel managed to knock out some common opponents that Burns couldn't do. However, Burns still did defeat the same opponents like Jack O Brien even if he didn't KO him. Plus on film Burns looks more skilled and if he can out point O Brien for twenty he can do the same to Stanley. I don't think Ketchel will land that big right hand here on a more skillful Burns. Even if he does Burns can take it. Johnson beat on Tommy for fourteen rounds and never knocked him down before the last round or had him out cold but, was able to ko Ketchel with one punch. This tells me that Burns is more durable than Ketchel and can take whatever the assassin can throw at him. So Burns by UD 20 for me. However, I look forward to other peoples thoughts though since the only thing I know about Ketchel is what I saw on film with Johnson and Papke.
Johnson floored Burns twice in the 1st ,once in the 5th round round, again in round 7, and again in the 14th round the police stopped it as Burns was on the verge of going down again.Johnson didn't really go after Burns until after the 10th round. That being said ,I pick Burns to beat Ketchel.
This fight was pretty close to happening when Papke derailed it. I think when it was likely to happen, Burns would have won. Prime-for-prime I think Ketchel would outwork and overwhelm Burns, not to a knockout but to a decision, presuming one was rendered.
Ketchel might have had the harder punch, and was more ferocious, but Burns could punch too, especially at heavyweight, where they would have fought. But the difference is Burns had the better chin, better punch form, better defense, and better footwork on the move, which meant he was more versatile, because Ketchel was more of a forward-only guy, whereas Burns could attack and fight on the inside or dance around and box on the outside. This fight actually was being discussed as a possible matchup should Burns defeat Johnson.
I never new Johnson had Burns down three times before interesting but, I still say Burns did better and was more durable since he got up both times and the police had to stop it. Burns was surviving while Johnson was opening up. The first time Johnson opened up against Ketchel he knocked him out. Plus even Johnson said Burns was better.
Five times. I still pick him to beat Ketchel though. After his "fight", with Ketchel ,Langford said he was very overated.
Burns via KO. He had the better chin, and skills on both offense and defense. Maybe Ketchel hit a little harder.
