Who can fill us in on more of this fella's background? I know a little and I keep hearing his name from the old-timers I speak to but I'd like to hear more about him...
Frankie Cain called him the best carny hooker he ever knew I believe. Cain also referred to himself as Ketonen's flunky at one point ;) I hope someone can give more info.
If I can find it I think I have a story about Ketonen double-crossing a dirty promoter.
I've done a fair amount of work on Ketonen's career recently, as he played a role in wrestling here in Northern Ontario.
Waino Ketonen was, by all accounts, a tough middleweight hooker, holding versions of the world's title several times. Emil Klank once said of him, "Ketonen is the Gotch of the middleweights...He's the best man of his weight I have ever seen."
His career in North America began well before WWI and extended at least into the late 1940's. Ketonen's first middleweight title reign began in December of 1914, beating Mike Yokel of Salt Lake City. His career apparently ended after a carnie match in which a mark slugged him in the jaw and knocked him out. Ketonen felt so ashamed of the loss that he retired from the game.
Nathan
Thanks Nathan, very nice info. When I first did a little looking into what I could find on Ketonen I actually thought I might be dealing with two different people due to the span of time I could find references to him.
Scuffler, great picture!
Sparkplug!
Top for any more info on Waino Ketonen, thanks!
I thought he got beat so bad he went back to Finland and got into politics. I'll look into it. He definitely looks the part.
Find anything Makena?
Well, he did return to Finland and go into politics. That much I do know. Why remains unknown to me...will continue to search.
mephisto beat him legitimately according to al haft. mephisto was definately an enigma as well...what with wrestling john pesek drunk and all . I think he (ketonen) got knocked out accidently on the carny and never got over it. one of the greatest middleweight wrestlers of all time...probably the greatest (who knows though). Frankie Cain said he was tough...and that's good enough for me.
Ketonen will be factoring heavily into my thesis. I'll be setting up a display on Finnish wrestling for the Finnish Festival here in town this weekend (Finns coming from all over North America). We'll see if any old family members of Ketonen or the other greats of that nation turn up.
Nathan
SWEET!