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

[Bill Paxtom]

October 13, 1963

Westfalenhalle ~ Dortmund, Germany

{#12} Karl Mildenberger ~ 37-2-1 {13 KO's} ~ 193 lbs. ~ 6' 1 1/2" ~ {Age; 25 years, 11 months}
vs.
{#20} Joe Erskine ~ 43-6-1 {13 KO's} ~ 200 lbs. ~ 5' 11" ~ {Age; 29 years, 9 months}
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Karl Mildenberger takes on another ''cagey' veteran in his quest to re-enter the Top 10
World Ratings.

Karl has gone {7-0-1} in his 8-Bouts since getting {KO'd in 1} by Dick Richardson 20-Months ago,
back on February 24, 1962.

Joe Erskine is a cagey and smart '10-Year' veteran from Wales. Erskine is a former British Heavyweight
Champion {1956/1957/1958}, and former Commonwealth 'British Empire' Champion {1957/1958}.

Erskine was also a World-Rated Top 10 Heavyweight for 6-Straight years in;
> 1956/1957/1958/1959/1960/1961

Erskine had retired in April 1962, after getting {TKO'd in 9} by Henry Cooper for the
British Heavyweight Championship on April 2nd.

But Erskine returned in November 1962, and has won 4-Straight' bouts to earn a #20 World Ranking.

Though Erksine is generally considered a 'tough-as-nails' fighter, all '6' of his losses have been by stoppage
{TKO'd of KO'd}.
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~ German Mildenberger Scores Tight Decision Win Over Former British Champ Erskine ~

~ Ex-British Champ Erskine Loses To Mildenberger In Dortmund ~

German Karl Mildenberger fighting before a home-country crowd, rallied over the last 3-Rounds of the bout
to win a narrow 10-Round Decision over veteran Joe Erskine.

The action was heated early, and fought on relatively even grounds. Mildenberger was aggressive, as
he fired in with his right-hand, while the visiting Welshman used thudding body-punches while in close.

The best action occurred in Rounds 3, 4 and 5, as both fighter landed their best punches, rocking each other
with solid blows to both the head and body.

The veteran Erskine came on strong in Rounds 6 and 7, as he scored with good hooks and maintained a
steady-attack to the body, to gain a slight-edge in Points over the German who was forced backwards
and on the defensive.

But Mildenberger sped up the pace in Round 8 as the veteran Erskine slowed down. The German then
out-scored the short-plodding Welshman with repeated right-jabs and right-hooks, and with left-hands to
both the head and body over the last 3-Rounds.

The UPI scored the bout for Karl Mildenberger {6-4-0} in Rounds.