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Fitzsimmons retains against Ketchel in classic
In one of the top fights LSUBF history, Bob Fitzsimmons retained the middleweight title against Stanley Ketchel
Jan. 19, 2013--The ringside physician ended their last bout because of a cut suffered on an accidental butt, costing Stanley Ketchel the middleweight title.
Tonight, Bob Fitzsimmons staked his proper claim.
In an all-out war that saw both fighters taste the canvas twice, it was Fitzsimmons (21-6, 17 KO) who outlasted Ketchel (17-4, 13 KO) in a contest that had a bit of everything.
After eight brutal rounds it appeared Ketchel had worn Fitzsimmons out when he dropped him twice in the first 90 seconds of round 9. But Fitzsimmons rose and got to the bell and tried to gather his thoughts.
But Ketchel was relentless and Fitzsimmons seemed on his way out - by TKO if not KO - a little more than a minute into the 10th when Fitzsimmons put a savage hook right on Ketchel's jaw, dropping him to the canvas.
Ketchel was knocked into his own corner to weather the storm but survived, though the tide had turned.
After an 11th round that would be considered action-packed for most fights but a rest round by the night's standards, round 12 was trench warfare, with FItzsimmons getting the better of it by round's end.
A short uppercut midway through the 13th put Ketchel down for a second time and he was clearly spent. Fitzimmons doggedly pursued Ketchel determined to finish the bout and he would when referee Hubert Earle jumped in to save Ketchel.
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