GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Happy birthday to the “Michigan Assassin”: Sunday marks 139 years since Grand Rapids boxer Stanley Ketchel was born.
Ketchel is a former middleweight champion and viewed by many experts as one of the greatest boxers of all time. But the champ’s career and life were both cut well short.
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Ketchel was born Stanislaw Kiecal to immigrant parents from Poland. He grew up on Grand Rapids’ West Side, living in a home on Stocking Avenue. He was never much of a student and quickly developed a reputation as a troublemaker.
As a young teen, he skipped town and spent some time as a vagabond. Ketchel eventually landed in Butte, Montana, where his brawling skills started to emerge. He took a job as a hotel bellhop and then eventually as a bouncer. His violent reputation spread, and he was invited to participate in backroom boxing matches to make some extra money…