The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-11-04

by going twenty rounds to a draw with the hitherto invincible Thomas. He was the most composed tyro that ever faced a, champion. When he strode into the ring. KetchePs left arm was taped with a big elastic bandage clear to the elbow. Thomas walked over to the new conner and examining the arm exclaimed: You will have to take that thing off. That's a good arm!" Ketch grinned Sure l will,' he answered. I just wore that to kid you.' Joe you don't know how good that arm really ts." But Thomas found out later the power that crushing left possessed. In their next battle Ketchel won the middleweight championship by knocking Thomas out after thirty two terrible rounds
 KetchePs rise to fistic eminence was one of the most sensa sational in the story of the ring. The toughest of his period succumbed to his hur- ricane shifting attack, punctuated with blows that tore the very Yitals out of his antagonists. Mike Twin Sullivan the most formidable staner n the business remained but a round with the Assassin. Hugo Kelly, sterling performer, lasted but three, lack O'Brien, one of the cleVerest heavyweights the game ever produced was knocked cold just few seconds before the bell rang for the end of their fight in New York. Later in Philadelphia Ketchel knocked Jack out in three fast rounds.
 That bout was fought at the mid dleweight poundage and Ketche els title was at stake. O'Br~ s wonder full reputation didn't awe Stanley in the least. Just before the decks were cleared for action a newspaperman the title. "Qh I suppose so''. replied the Assassin nonchalantly. But it doesn't matter much. I'll be the champion when it's all over. It'll be the solar plexus punch confided Stanley. Say. that's a great wa1lop, l once put a chap out with it and when they took him to his dressing room he said goodbye to his friends. I'm dying he kept moaning, Pm dying" Just then the bell rang. O'Brien skipped nimbly to the cen ter of the ring. When his secon<as whisked KetcheFs chair from under him Stanley walked to the ropes in stead of going to meet O'Brien. "Yes, that's just what he said, I'm dyiHg'' grinned Ketchel to the newspaper man. tNow watch O'Brien'' said Stanley as he turned to meet the Philadelphian. Jack was puzzled at the Assassin's movements. He did mt know that Ketchel was finishing up grim yarn with a prophetic mor- al in it for himself
 KetchePs four fights with Papke were the bloodiest ever fought in Queensberry ring. Ketch won a ten round decision over the Thundefbolt in their first go but in the second one Papke gave Stanley a frightful beating and won his championship from him in twelve rounds by a knockout. Papke almost killed Ketchel with the first wicked smash between the eyes and knocked him down five times in the first round. Ketchel a1- ways claimed that he fought in a trance the remainder of the bout. Keeling and stumbling about the ring, covered from head to foot with blood he struggled on without a chance to win. The crowd begged Jim Jeffries, the referee to end 1t but Ketch wouldn't have it that way. The eleventh was a spectacle horrible to witness. Ketchel was knocked head first through the ropes and into the press stand. At the end of the round his seconds dragged him to his corner. Several doctors entered the ring and examined the beaten man. They said that hta onfia