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

[Bill Paxtom]

July 6, 1963

Deutschlandhalle ~ Berlin, Germany

{#15} Karl Mildenberger ~ 36-2-1 {13 KO's} ~ 191 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 8 months}
vs.
{#11} Wayne Bethea ~ 31-15-4 {13 KO's} ~ 204 lbs. ~ {Age; 33 years, 4 months}
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This is the '2nd-Bout' between these two Heavyweights. Karl won a solid 10-Round Decision
over Wayne 20-Months earlier, back on November 3, 1961 in Hamburg, Germany.

Karl has now moved up to #15 World-Ranked, and a win here should move him back near
the edge of the Top 10.

The 33 year-old American - Wayne Bethea has suddenly moved into the 'spotlight' following
several upset wins.

Wayne's career appeared over in March 1962, and he retired. But he decided to give one
more try in September 1962.

That was followed with impressive performances against;
* September 22, 1962 ... {W Dec 10} .. Joe Bygraves
* March 22, 1963 ........... {KO 4} ......... Franceso De Piccoli
* April 5, 1963 .............. {Draw 10} ..... Guilio Rinaldi
* May 5, 1963 .............. {Draw 10} ..... Santo Amonti
* May 23, 1963 ............. {W Dec 8} .... Guiseppe Magliardi

Wayne's last '4-Bouts' were held in Italy, where he has been labeled as the 'Italian Slayer'.

Wayne has been asking for a Championship Bout with Champion - Sonny Liston since scoring
the upset {KO 4} over 'highly-touted' Francesco De Piccoli on March 22nd.

The word is, if Wayne can defeat Karl Mildenberger, he may just get a chance at Sonny in
September, possibly in Italy.

Wayne Bethea >
"They thought that I was a broken down 'War-Horse'. But I steam-rolled those guys in Italy. In
those '2-Bouts' that were Draws, remember they were in my opponents home-country. If those
bouts were held anywhere else on this Planet, I would have gotten the Decision easily."

"The last time I fought Mildenberger, I was just going through the motions. Now it's a different
story, because now this is an Elimination Bout with a chance to get Sonny Liston again, but this
time for a World Championship."