Reed Throws Waino

The Eugene Register-Guard – December 9, 1930

Waino Ketonen, Finnish wrestler and holder of the world’s junior middleweight championship, lost Monday evening at Albany to Robin Reed, of Reedsport, according to Herb Owen, who saw the match.  Waino won the first fall in 25 minutes but Robin returned for the second and gave Ketonen a bad eye when he kicked him during the process of an armstretch.  Reed whip wristlocked him and took the fall.

Ketonen Scores Two Falls

Boston Globe – April 7, 1920

WORCESTER – Waino Ketonen beat Joe Turner of Washington tonight in a wrestling match in Mechanic’s Hall. Turner won the first fall with a jackknife hold in 11 minutes. Ketonen won the second with a double elbow and toss over the head in 1 hour 22 minutes, and he also won the third with a body scissors hold in 40 seconds.

Wrestling Booming In New England

Boston Globe – November 25, 1919

Wrestling is booming throughout New England and there are big turnouts for any kind of fair attractions at Haverhill, Worcester, Manchester, Nashua and other points, but the best of the smaller towns is Franklin, N.H., where the papermakers have taken hold of the sport and are patronizing it in remarkable style. Worcester with (Waino) Ketonen as the headliner, also draws well, the matchmakers realizing now that it pays to secure strong cards against a man of Ketonen’s ability.

Ketonen Works Hard For Dern Match

The Deseret News – April 3, 1922

Champion Will Also Be In Good Trim

Waino Ketonen

Salt Lake’s wrestling fans have but four days to go when they will be able to see Ira Dern defend his title against Waino Ketonen who is also considered one of the best middleweight wrestlers of the world.  The matched men will go on the mat Thursday night at the Salt Lake Theatre and it will be to a finish, best two in three falls with catch-as-catch can wrestling rules to govern.  No holds will be barred but the strangle.

Ketonen’s work has been carefully watched since his arrival here and all those who have seen him work are greatly pleased with him and believe that Dern will have to go harder and faster than he has ever done before if he wishes to retain his crown.  Ketonen in his training works easier and smoother than any wrestler that has ever come here to meet Dern or any one else, and it is also reported by those who work with him that he has more strength in his arms than has the champion.  He came here early enough to get acclimated and Ketonen is positive that he could wrestle three hours at top speed and with such wonderful endurance any man his weight will have to go a very long distance to win.  Ketonen will work in the gymnasium three days and will rest Thursday.  He will taper off his hard work Wednesday.

Ira Dern left this morning for Logan where he is to wrestle Tom Ray tonight in a finish match, best two in three falls, the contest to be governed by catch-as-catch can wrestling rules.  Dern’s work of the past three days in the gymnasium proved that he is better than he was two months ago and judging from his work on the mat the champion could wrestle all day without tiring.  After the match Dern will return to this city and get himself ready for Ketonen.  He says that he will work Tuesday and Wednesday in the gymnasium at the fire station and will then lay off to rest up.

Tickets, which were placed on sale this morning at the Salt Lake Theatre, are beginning to move in the way to assure a packed house and Heagren says he is satisfied with the present outlook with everything concerning the match.

Elks Go Limit To Sign New Champ For Tilt

The Deseret News – April 19, 1922
By Walla Rey

Grappler Who Beat Dern Is Secured For Bout At Orpheum, Apr. 28.

“WHAT is your figure?”

Ira Dern And Waino Ketonen Will Do Some Tussling For Title

The Deseret News – April 19, 1922

Ketonen Proves High-Priced Wrestler

Elks Figure Fast For Bout With Dern

AFTER much preliminary financial skirmishing Waino Ketonen has finally agreed with the Elks to meet Ira Dern, but he wanted for his end of the purse more money than any two wrestlers ever received in Salt Lake for one match before.  He also insisted that Dern must weigh in at the middleweight limit of 160 pounds the day of the match.  The Ketonen figure was so high that it took a lot of planning to meet it, but yesterday the Elks finally agreed to every demand of the champion and signed him to a contract to meet Dern again.  But the Elks insisted and carried their point, that neither man may wrestle in any match before they meet for the Elks on the evening of April 28.

Crack Middleweight Wrigglers To Meet Before El Paso Fans

El Paso Herald – May 12, 1920

Claimant Of 158 Pound Title And Irslinger, Former Champion Will Be Next Headliner Card At Liberty Hall, Says Matchmaker; Will Meet At The Middleweight Limit.

WAINO KETONEN, Omaha, Neb., the city which has produced more high class wrestlers than any other place of its size in the world will meet Henry Irslinger, of Chicago, in El Paso within the next three weeks in a renewal of the crap for the middleweight title.