Jack Johnson
VERSUS
Stanley Ketchel
● LIVE_ARCHIVE
OCT 16, 1909
Historical Narrative
The Michigan Assassin’s Gamble
Stanley Ketchel was a ferocious middleweight, known for knocking out men far larger than himself. He convinced the world he could beat Jack Johnson. Johnson, often criticized for playing with his opponents, entered the ring outweighed by nearly 50 lbs, but holding a massive size advantage.
Tape Analysis
Height6′ 0½” / 5′ 9″
Weight205 lbs / 160 lbs
The Climax
Round 12
Ketchel landed a looping overhand right that dropped the giant Johnson. The crowd roared, believing the upset had happened. Johnson rose instantly. As Ketchel moved in for the kill, Johnson threw a single right hand that rendered Ketchel unconscious for minutes.
The Legend
Teeth in the Glove
The knockout punch was so devastating that a popular legend persists to this day: that Johnson hit Ketchel so hard, the “Michigan Assassin’s” front teeth were embedded in Johnson’s glove.
CONTINUE THE JOURNEY
The Full Fights
