Thread: Karl Mildenberger ~ 'I Had The Formula To Beat Cassius Clay'

Friday ~ September 9, 1966

~ Common Opponent Predicts Rough Night For Mildenberger ~

Billy 'The Barber' Daniels, a 29 year-old 6' 4" tall and lanky Heavyweight from New York
predicts a rough night for German Challenger - Karl Mildeberger.

Billy, who was brought over here to Frankfurt 2-Weeks ago by the Challenger's Manager
Bruno Mueller, has been in Mildenberger's Camp as the chief sparring partner.

Billy Daniels >

"I know that I'm supposed to be in Karl's Camp as a supporter, but he has little chance
in defeating Cassius. Don't get me wrong, Karl is a decent fighter, but he does not hit
hard enough. And he makes too many mistakes in the Ring, like dropping his left-hand
and walking straight in."

"Karl is a southpaw, but his squared up stance almost makes him a right-handed fighter.
He is in right in front of you, and he's open for straight right-hands down the middle. If
he stayed back and used his right-jab with his left-handed stance, he would have a much
better chance with Cassius."
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Billy 'The Barber' Daniels >

Billy is now a 29 year-old 'Trial-Horse' Heavyweight with a record of 20-14-1 {10 KO's}.
The 6' 4" and 192 lb. lanky boxer from New York City was at one-time a highly--touted
Heavyweight in May 1962, with an undefeated record of 16-0-0 with {7 KO's}.

On May 19, 1962 > Billy {Age; 24 1/2} battled the young and also undefeated 20 year-old
Cassius Clay 13-0-0 with {10 KO's} in a Nationally Televised bout between 'two' Heavyweight
prospects. In a very competitive and entertaining bout, Billy was stopped {L TKO 7} by a
badly cut left-eye.

But, Billy was impressive in that bout, and had Clay 'groggy' and stunned on '3' separate
occasions.

A year-and-a-half later on November 29, 1963 > Billy was in Germany battling Karl Mildenberger
in a key Heavyweight bout between two Top 10 fighters. Billy was ranked at #9 with a record
of 18-4-0 {9 KO's}, and Mildenberger was ranked at #10 with a record of 38-2-1 {13 KO's}.

In a 'shocker' Mildenberger put Billy down and out in Round 3 with a single thunderous left-hook
to the body.

It was the 1st-Time that Billy had ever been floored, or stopped in his career.

Saturday ~ September 10, 1966

~ Boxing Experts make Their Predictions ~

Joe Louis >
"Clay should do it within 6 Rounds, but he doesn't punch that hard. I think it take him awhile
to do it, probably 11 Rounds."

Max Schmeling >
"I think Karl will surprise many people. He has looked good in Training, and is much better than
he was 6-Months ago. But I still think the Champion will stop him late. Probably in Round 13."

Sonny Liston >
"Oh Geez. This fight will end early, and I mean very early. Clay should do it in 3-Rounds. If he
doesn't, they should take his belt away."

Ingemar Johansson >
"Mildenberger isn't that good. He's terrible. I would have him out of there in 3-Rounds. Clay
may take longer because he doesn't punch hard. I'll say 7 Rounds."

Joe Frazier {1964 Olympic Champion and Heavyweight Contender} >
"That lefty is both fast and tricky. This will not be as easy a fight for Clay as he thinks. It will
go at least 10 Rounds. But Clay will stop him before the 15th. I'll pick Round 13."

Ernie Terrell {WBA Champion} >
"I'm not really interested in watching comedy shows. This bout is another joke, just like the
Brian London bout. If I have to choose, it is obviously Clay. Probably by the 7th Round.
The German wouldn't last 4-Rounds with me."

Cleveland Williams {Contender and scheduled to fight Cassius Clay next} >
"Well I'll be pulling for Clay, because I'm signed to fight him next. I'm sure Clay will win,
and it will probably take him 8 Rounds. But I hope that Mildenberger takes something
out of him."

Henry Cooper {British Heavyweight}>
"I think it will be a good fight for as long as it lasts. Karl is a game fighter, but he's not a
big puncher. It should be a good fight for 7 or 8 Rounds, before Clay decides to end it.
I'll say Round 10, it won't go much longer than that."

September 10, 1966

~ Tale Of The Tape ~

.............................. Cassius Clay ................... Karl Mildenberger ...........

Rank ...................... World Champion .............. #2 WBA / #5 Ring Magazine

Age ......................... 24 years, 8 months ......... 28 years, 10 months
Height ..................... 6' 2 1/2" ......................... 6' 1 1/2"
Weight .................... 205 lbs. .......................... 195 lbs.
Reach ...................... 79" ................................ 74"
Chest {Normal} ......... 42 1/2" ......................... 44"
Chest {Expanded} ..... 44 1/2" ......................... 47"
Neck ........................ 17 1/2" .......................... 17"
Waist ....................... 34" ................................ 34"
Biceps ...................... 15" ................................ 16"
Fist .......................... 13" ................................ 13"
Thigh ....................... 25" ................................ 23"
Calf .......................... 17" ............................... 18"
Record ..................... 25-0-0 {20 KO's} ........... 49-2-3 {17 KO's}

Stance .................... Orthodox ........................ Southpaw
Style ....................... Boxer-Puncher ................ Aggressive-Boxer

~ Pre-Fight Predictions ~

Cassius Clay >

"I plan to come out quickly, and test him right away. I will fight aggressive, and back
him up. With these southpaws, you can't let them take the lead, as their style is
uncomfortable to counter."

"I expect that he'll try to impress the crowd, and be aggressive. We are fighting in his
country, so that his aggression is to be expected. But, he'll leave himself open some time,
and I will strike."

Cassius Clay predicts a 5th Round Knockout.
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Karl Mildenberger >

"I think that I can match him in speed, and that is what I will use. I will back him up by using
many right-jabs, followed by straight left-hands to his body. If I can back him up, I'll win."

"I won't chase him, but I will be aggressive. If I can take him out his rhythm during the first
4-Rounds, he will start to panic. He's a front-runner, and if I can take a few of the first
few Rounds, he will have to fight instead of boxing and dancing."

Karl Mildenberger predicts a 15-Round Decision win.

August 1966 'World Ratings'


...................Ring Magazine ...........WBA.......

Champion .... Cassius Clay ........... Ernie Terrell
#1 ............... Ernie Terrell ........... Zora Folley
#2 ............... Doug Jones ............ Doug Jones
#3 ............... Thad Spencer ......... Amos Lincoln
#4 ............... Karl Mildenberger .... Karl Mildenberger
#5 ............... Henry Cooper ......... Thad Spencer
#6 ............... Zora Folley ............. Floyd Patterson
#7 ............... Amos Lincoln .......... Eduardo Corletti
#8 ............... George Chuvalo ...... Elmer Rush
#9 ............... Floyd Patterson ....... Amos Johnson
#10 ............. Cleveland Williams ... George Chuvalo

~ Final Tune-Ups ~

Wednesday ~ September 7, 1966

Sandy Petrescu's Downtown Gym ~ Frankfurt, Germany

Cassius Clay opened up the 'Final Day' of his Training Camp by hitting the Heavy-Bag
for 2-Rounds.

The Champion then went '2' Slam-Bang Rounds with British Heavyweight - Jack Bodell,
and then '2' brisk Rounds with American Heavyweight - James J. Woody.

Both sparring-partners are southpaws, but the fast-handed Champion was sharp, as he
landed jarring left-hooks and solid straight right-hands on both sparring-mates.

An altercation developed at the Gym, as ABC-TV wanted to broadcast the final-day
sparring-session, but Gym owner {Sandy Petrescu} wanted a fee of {$16,000} for
a paid priveledge to broadcast the sparring-sessions.

Manager - Angelo Dundee said that if ABC-TV was not allowed in to broadcast the session,
he and the World Champion would walk out.

ABC-TV and gym owner Sandy Petrescu worked out a more amicable payment.

After the 2-Hour work-out session, the Champion went outside the Gym and along the street,
and signed autographs for nearly 4500 fans. The Champion charged $1.00 for his signature.

Angelo Dundee {Trainer} >
"We're ready. The next punch that Cassius throws will be in the Ring."

Cassius Clay >
"I have to be careful with southpaws. But it won't take me that long to get adjusted. Maybe
3 or 4 Rounds, then I'll figure out his timing. All I have to do is circle to my right instead of my
left. It won't be a problem."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Challenger - Karl Mildenberger spent his 'Final Tune-Up' by boxing '4' Rounds with American
Heavyweight - Billy Daniels.

Karl looked very sharp in one if his most impressive sparring-sessions with Billy Daniels. The
German exhibited fast right-hand jabs and excellent movement.

Bruno Mueller {Manager} >
"I am most satisfied with Karl. He has worked hard, and has steadily improved. He's ready.
All we have to do is keep Clay busy, but not by chasing him. By waiting to counter him."

Karl Mildenberger >
"I'm still not where I want to be. But the fight is in 3-Days, and I can't get anymore hard
sparring in. I'll probably shadow-box 4-Rounds tomorrow, and then do some stretching
exercises for the next 3-Days."

7 unanswered posts... If this was a boxing match you'd have been TKOd.

Originally Posted by AdamGB

7 unanswered posts... If this was a boxing match you'd have been TKOd.

What is the question.......... ?

I assumed there was a point to all of these tangents?

Originally Posted by AdamGB

I assumed there was a point to all of these tangents?

Yes, there is. To give you something to do, like following this thread........

Fight Promoters > Joachim Gottert and Harry Levene

Fight to held at the Waldstadion in Frankfurt, otherwise known as the Forest Stadium.

Seating Capacity > 80,000

A 'projected' crowd of 50,000 to 60,000 was expected. But a few days before the bout, only
33,000 Tickets were sold.

But a late-rush on Thursday and Friday pushed the ticket sales to 45,000.

Tickets were priced from > $75.00 to $6.25.

Special 'bleacher tickets' were offered to any Military person for $5.00.

A projected Gross was listed at $750,000.
* Cassius Clay was to receive $500,000 {estimate}.
* Karl Mildenberger was to receive $100,000 {estimate}.

Cassius Clay was listed as a {10-1} Betting-Favorite.
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Special Instructions >

* Angelo Dundee requested {demanded} a 20' x 20' Ring, instead of the standard 18' x 18' European size Ring.

* Angelo Dundee requested {demanded} a second Ring Round timekeeper.
Note; This was to make sure no mistakes were made in the time, as in the Karl Mildenberger - Dave Bailey controversial bout.

* The '3' Knockdown Rule was in effect.

* No 'kidney punches'.

* A fighter cannot be saved by the Bell, only in Round 15.

* Scoring Rules as by NYSAC. {By Rounds, with supplemental points}.

This is a great thread.

Fight Night

Both former Champions - Max Schmeling {1st} and Joe Louis {2nd} were introduced to thunderous roars.

Also, the great German Light-Heavyweight - Gustav 'Bubi' Scholz was introduced to load cheers.

Then Challegner - Karl Mildenberger was introduced, and the Waldstadion {outdoor stadium}
in Frankfurt of 50,000 spectators of erupted with cheers of 'Milde, Milde'.

Then it was the Champion - Cassius Clay, who was greeted with load cheers as well.

Referee Teddy Waltham {United Kingdom] was the Third-Man in the Ring, and called out both
fighters and their cornermen for instructions.

The Champion was wearing white trunks with red-stripes, and white boxing shoes.

The Challenger was also wearing white trunks, but with black stripes, and black boxing shoes

The Champion would have en edge in; Height {1"}, Reach {5"} and Weight {10 lbs.}

Working the Champion's corner, would be Angelo Dundee and Assistant Trainer - Enrique Richay

Working the Challenger's corrner would be Bruno Mueller, and Assistant Trainer - Herbert Kleinwaechter.

Originally Posted by walrus

This is a great thread.

Yeah Paxtom is kind of like a running history lesson on boxing.

Strange fella....

But quality poster.

~ Round 1 ~

0:02 > Both meet at Center-Ring.
0:03 > Mildenberger sticks out his right-glove in a good Sportsmanship gesture.
0:04 > Cassius does not acknowledge the gesture, and circles away to his right.
0:06 > Cassius immediately goes to circling-and-dancing.

0:12 > Mildenberger is pressing, and forcing the fight.
0:18 > Mildenberger scores with a stiff right to the mid-section.
0:25 > Mildenberger scores with '2' right-jabs to the head.
0:26 > Cassius moves to the back-left Ropes.

0:29 > Cassius moves out, and to his right to the front Ring area.
0:49 > The action moves to Center-Ring.
0:51 > Mildenberger lands with a stiff left-hand.
0:51 > Cassius counters with a quick right-hand to the head.

1:29 > Cassius is missing with everything he throws, as Mildenberger easily ducks the long-range punches.
1:33 > Mildenberger scores with '3' pecking right-jabs to the head, forcing Cassius to lean back and move.
1:37 > Mildenberger lands with a 'double' right-hand, driving Cassius to the back Ropes.
1:47 > The fighters exchange while at the back Ring area.

1:50 > With his back to the back Ropes, Cassius catches Mildenberger with a jarring right-hand to the head.
1:53 > Mildenberger takes a step back, but re-groups and moves forward.
2:01 > Mildenberger maintains his forward movement, and his making the fight as he forces Cassius to the front Ring area.
2:04 > Cassius lands with a quick 'left-right'.

2:11 > Mildenberger backs up for the 1st-time in the Round, and moves backwards to the left-side Ropes.
2:13 > Cassius steps in, and misses with a big right-hand swing.
2:15 > Cassius backs up to Center-Ring.
2:17 > Cassius is missing with his punches.

2:24 > Mildenberger is showing good movement, as he moves in-and-out, while at the left side Ring area.
2:26 > Cassius misses with '2' left-hands.
2:30 > Cassius catches Mildenberger with a 'glancing' right-hand to the head.
2:33 > Mildenberger scores with '3' pecking right-jabs to the face, as he backs up Cassius to the right-side Ring area.

2:34 > The Waldstadion fans 'erupt' with roars.
2:36 > Mildenberger lands with a solid 'right-left' to the mid-section.
2:37 > Cassius backs up to the front-center Ring area.
2:41 > Cassius lands with a quick right-hand lead to the chin which 'rocks' Mildenberger back a step.

2:43 > Mildenberger backs up to the back-right Corner.
2:44 > Cassius is following Mildenberger in.
2:48 > Cassius loads up, but 'misses' with a right-left.
2:50 > Cassius backs up to Center-Ring, as Mildenberger moves out.

2:52 > Cassius circles 180* around Mildenberger, and fires with a lightning-fast 'right-right-left' to the head.
2:54 > Mildenberger is 'stung' and moves to the front-center Ropes.
2:56 > Cassius tries a right-hand to the head, but the punch is blocked.
3:00 > Bell

Round 1 ......... Cassius Clay

Mildenberger had the Round won, until Cassius put a charge in over the last 20-Seconds.