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

[Bill Paxtom]

December 30, 1967

Sportspalast ~ Berlin, Germany

European Heavyweight Championship

* Karl Mildenberger ~ 52-4-3 {19 KO's} ~ 6' 1 1/2" ~ 205 lbs. ~ {Age; 30 years, 1 month}
vs.
* Gerhard Zech ~ 33-6-3 {20 KO's} ~ 6' 6" ~ 224 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 6 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

Karl Mildenberger wants to get back into the Top Tier of the Heavyweights, with plans for a
World Title challenge in mid-1968.

In his previous bout, Karl lost a 12-Round Decision {and suffered '4' knockdowns} to
Oscar Bonavena in the Quarter-Finals of the WBA Heavyweight Eliminator on September 16, 1967.

For Karl, this will be his 6th Title Defense of his European Crown.

This will be 2nd-time that Karl will face his German countryman - Gerhard Zech. Both of these
southpaws fought 2-Years earlier {November 26, 1965}, where Karl won a 'dull' and lackluster
15-Round Decision.
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'Mildenberger Wins'

'Mildenberger Retains European Heavyweight Title'

Karl Mildenberger using a sharp right-jab and quick left-hand leads won a 'solid' 15-Round Decision
over German countryman - Gerhard Zech.

The 30 year-old Mildenberger {205 lbs.} was by far the more accurate puncher, and he opened a
deep cut over the right-eye of Gerhard Zech {224 lbs.} in Round 3.

Mildenberger kept the pressure on Zech during the middle-Rounds, especially in Rounds 6, 7 and 8
where he visibly hurt the 6' 6" tall Zech with hard straight left-hands to the chin.

Badly behind on Points, Zech did have a good session in Round 9, where he bloodied Mildenberger's
nose with a hard right-hook.

Zech also fought well during Round 10. But, Mildenberger went back to good boxing during
Rounds 11, 13 to secure a solid points lead.

Zech did put forth a good effort in Rounds 14 and 15.

The 'sole scoring' Referee carded the bout {71-67} or {8-4-3 in Rounds} for Karl Mildenberger.