|
(continuation)
PRELIMINARY 2
Polish-born Grand Rapids extrovert Stanley Ketchel made an explosive IBL debut last month, destroying Mike O'Dowd inside of two rounds. Tonight he improved to 2-0(1) with a convincing unanimous decision victory over fellow Michiganite Ted Wright (59-54 on all three cards). Once again Ketchel entered the ring dressed in solid black, Metallica's "Fight Fire With Fire" smashing its way out of the arena speakers. Wright was KO'd at the end of round five by Frank Battaglia in his opening pro outing. The Detroit native had been right in the fight before that disasterous 5th and despite the defeat took an optimistic attitude into his clash with Ketchel.
That mindset helped Wright survive for the full six round distance but did little else. Ketchel controlled all but the final stanza of the contest, bullying and punishing Wright throughout the opening two rounds before flooring him with a crushing combination early in round three. Somehow Wright beat the count and then made it to the bell despite Ketchel's intentions. He returned to his corner with cuts below the right eye and on the bridge of his nose. He showed little resistance through the next two rounds, Ketchel pounding him with hard lefts and rights and opening a third cut over Wright's left eye. But the underdog refused to quit, maintaining his footing much to Ketchel's frustration. Wright looked a mess but he defied the odds by coming out and taking the final round with an admirable rally in its bottom half, landing a number of scoring blows. It could be said that Ketchel had given up on a stoppage victory but the shots that Wright connected with were surprisingly hard considering the punishment he'd absorbed.
Ketchel displayed a self-deprecating streak in his assessment of the bout. At the same time, the 18 year-old commended Wright on his determination and courage.
"I was pretty useless there," Ketchel said, shaking his head. "Had the guy out on his feet in the 3rd but I couldn't finish the job. That's disappointing 'cause I didn't want it to go the distance. But I have to say he's one tough SOB. I busted him up pretty bad but he just kept on coming. He never quit and he even caught me with a couple of good punches in that last round there."
Punch totals
Ketchel: 190/624 (.304)
Wright: 115/259 (.444)
"Whoever I'm up against they won't be so lucky," proclaimed Ketchel, in regards to his series three bout. "Gonna make sure my execution's perfect next time out."
Those words must rank as some of the more chilling uttered by an IBL competitor in recent weeks.
(to be continued)
|