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.

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 spre

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