[punchdrunk]

(This is my 1st sim of a 4 fight series between these two fighters. Dates and locations are non-historical)



Ketchell vs. Papke #1

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March 24, 1908 - Pheonix, Arizona. Story by Coffield Powers, Associated Press.

Middleweight Champion Stanley Ketchell, “The Michigan Assassin” defends his world title against Billy Papke, “The Illinois Thunderbolt”.

Both fighters look to be in tip-top shape for this title fight. The bell for round #1 rings and both men come out throwing and landing good hard punches. Papke is warned by the referee for hitting with an open hand. The crowd roars as the first round ends with both men scoring well. Round #2 starts off just as action packed as the first, but the ref stops the action to take a point away from Ketchell for a head butt halfway through the round. The crowd again voices it’s approval for another sizzling round of action. The 3rd round sees the champ coming out strong, rocking the challenger with a series of combinations, but Papke ties the champ up and regroups. Ketchell lands a wicked right cross and Papke stumbles into the ropes. Again Papke regroups, and late in the 3rd comes back and rocks Ketchell with a big overhand right as both men are winging some heavy leather.

The 4th round gets off to a rousing start with both fighters trading heavy punches. Suddenly, 29 seconds into the round Ketchell lands a big uppercut and Papke is cut. Blood is streaming from a cut over Papke’s left eye. Ketchell moves in aggressively, but Papke fires and lands a big left hook flush on the champ’s chin that makes him think twice about rushing in. Papke is trying to avoid the big body shots from Ketchell as he backpedals into the neutral corner with Ketchell in hot pursuit. Papke fires a right cross that catches the champ squarely, and now Ketchell is cut. Blood is now pouring into the champ’s right eye as both fighters end the round punching. The crowd is on it’s feet as the bell ends round #4.

Both corners work furiously during the break to stop the bleeding from the cuts that their fighters received in the previous round. The 5th round proves to be another action filled round as Papke begins to build some momentum despite some terrific left jabs from the champ. With the 5th round a solid one for the challenger - most ring-side observers feel that Papke is now up 3 rounds to 2 with Ketchell being penalized a point in the 2nd.

Round #6, and both fighters appear to be in great shape as the corners have stopped the bleeding from their cuts. The champ is relentlessly forcing the action and appears to take the 6th and 7th rounds convincingly - bringing the fight even in the opinion of most ring-side reporters. Both men trade huge punches in the 8th round as Papke, perhaps feeling the momentum ebbing away, tries valiantly to swing things back his way.

The 9th round starts with a big flurry of punches from Papke, and the champion is reeling. Ketchell is on the ropes and Papke lands another big combination of punches before Ketchell can finally get himself off the ropes. Unbelievably the ref stops the action again, and once again Ketchell has a point taken away - this time for low blows. The crowd boos, but the ref seems to have made a good call. Now, the champ picks up the action, knowing that Papke may have just win a big round, and ends the 9th with a rally. The 10th and 11th rounds see the champ again picking up the pace. Both fighters are breathing heavily and appear tired, but Ketchell looks to be the stronger of the two as he begins to jab away mercilessly at Papke’s right eye. That right eye of Papke’s is now swelling badly.

The 12th round is the champ’s best round of the fight, as he pours it on. Papke is staggered several times and just barely hangs on at one point. The referee is watching that right eye of the challenger’s very closely. Ketchell is now pinpointing that eye with a wicked left jab at every possible opportunity. The 13th round is a barn-burner as both men stand toe to toe and trade shots in the middle of the ring as Ketchell appears to be putting this fight away, despite a heroic effort from Billy Papke. The crowd is on it’s feet and cheering as both men climb off their stools for the 14th round. Just seconds into the round, and suddenly this fight is over! The referee has stopped the fight! Billy Papke’s right eye is completely swollen shut, and the referee wisely brings this fight to a halt.

Stanley Ketchell, “The Michigan Assassin”, has successfully defended the Middleweight Championship of the World by TKO in the 14th round against a very capable opponent in Billy Papke. I have the feeling that there will definitely be a rematch.