Page "Stanley Ketchel" Paragraph 9

Ketchel began 1909 by fighting reigning Light Heavyweight Champion Philadelphia Jack O ' Brien.

Ketchel survived a terrible beating at the hand of the slick, quick O ' Brien in the early rounds only to mount a terrific comeback and score four knockdowns in the ninth and tenth rounds.

When the final bell rang at the end of the tenth round, O ' Brien was lying unconscious on the mat, his head in a resin box in his corner.

Under New York rules at the time, though, O ' Brien had been saved by the bell and because official decisions were outlawed in New York boxing the fight was declared a " No Decision.

" A few weeks later, Ketchel had a rematch with O ' Brien, knocking out Philadelphia Jack in three rounds.