Ketchel Saves Himself

stanley-ketchel-1910

On Friday, June 10, 1910, World Middleweight Boxing Champion Stanley Ketchel fought his last fight against unheralded Jim Smith. Ketchel has cleared out the middleweight division, so boxing promoters struggled to find suitable competition for Ketchel. At only 24 years old, Ketchel lived hard and fought constantly causing an early breakdown of his body. After fighting Smith, Ketchel intended to

Share
» Read more

Ketchel Starches Sullivan

stanley-ketchel-1910

Mike “Twin” Sullivan claimed the Welterweight World Boxing Championship, when he decisioned Honey Mellody in April 1907.  Possessing both heavy hands and better than normal boxing skills, Sullivan claimed victories over the great Joe Gans and future Welterweight World Boxing Champion Harry Lewis during his career.  Lewis won the welterweight title, when Sullivan could no longer make the 147 pound

Share
» Read more

Ketchel Fights Light Heavy Champ

stanley-ketchel-1910

1909 saw Stanley Ketchel continue his torrid pace through all the top fighters around the middleweight limit.  In March 1909, Ketchel faced a rare challenge, when he fought reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion Philadelphia Jack O’Brien. O’Brien was a slick boxer, who used his speed and elusiveness to pummel Ketchel in the early rounds.  Despite O’Brien’s size advantage, Ketchel was

Share
» Read more

Muldoon Spars With Sullivan

william-muldoon

William Muldoon was the reigning World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion and a noted physical culturist, when Muldoon was engaged by John L. Sullivan’s backers to get their fighter in shape.  Sullivan was the reigning World Heavyweight Bare Knuckle Prizefighting Champion.  He signed an agreement to meet his toughest challenger, Jake Kilrain, in July 1889. Sullivan admitted he was in bad shape,

Share
» Read more

John L. Sullivan Arrested

john-l-sullivan

On Tuesday, November 18, 1884, World Heavyweight Bare-Knuckle Prizefighting Champion John L. Sullivan fought Al Greenfield at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Sullivan needed to overcome more than just his opponent in this bout. The men originally agreed to fight on Monday, November 17, 1884, but New York City authorities threatened the men with arrest. The wrangling with

Share
» Read more

Kilrain Battles Godfrey in Brutal Fight

george-godfrey

On Friday, March 13, 1891, Jake Kilrain fought George Godfrey at the California Athletic Club in San Francisco, California. The men fought for a trophy and $5,000. The men entered the ring at 9:52 p.m. William Muldoon, former World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, seconded Kilrain, who Muldoon trained for this fight. Muldoon trained Kilrain’s opponent, John L. Sullivan, for their 1889

Share
» Read more
1 2 3 8