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

[Bill Paxtom]

December 3, 1963

~ A 'New' Max Schmeling ~

'At Last Came A German Boxer In The World Class Before'

Manager > Bruno Muller with his World-Ranked Heavyweight Karl Mildenberger



Bruno Muller {Manager} >

Part 1

Karl started off an as Amateur Wrestler, where he won numerous Championships and Awards. That success
brought him to the Amateur Boxing events held in his hometown of Kaiserslautern in Rheinland-Pflaz in 1954
when he was only Age; 16

By 1956, Karl was an unbeatable boxer in the {81 kg} Light-Heavyweight Division in the Rheinland Region.
He was feared by everyone. In one Tournament, Karl knocked out 9-of-10 opponents, as only '1' boxer made
it past the 1st-Round and lasted the 3-Round distance.

In 1957, Karl fought in the Germany National Championships at Kiel on October 19, 1957 > where he made
it to the Finals, only to lose a 'close' 3-Round Decision to George Krenz.

On June 21, 1958 > Karl fulfilled his Boxing goal, and won the National Championship at Dortmund in the
{81 Kg} Light-Heavyweight Division by defeating {TKO 2} Hubert Helfer.

Immediately after that win, Managers and Advisors lined up to convince Karl {Age; 20 years, 11 months} to
turn Professional. Karl posted an amateur record of { 52-12 }.

Though he was in demand, many {Boxing Experts} thought that Karl would have a short career as a Professional,
because as though he was a hard-puncher, the southpaw-banger lacked finesse, and Karl was not that good of a
Ring-tactician.

But, Karl did turn Professional, and signed a Fight Contract' with Willi Knorzer, a Stuttgart Radio Enthusiast.

Karl Mildenberger fought under the nickname of 'Knockout Karl', and 'KO Karl'.

Karl turned Professional on October 15, 1958 > and thru 1-Year posted an undefeated record of
11-0-0 with {4 KO's}, while earning the #4 Ranking in the German Light-Heavyweight Division, while
earning a position in the National Championship Eliminator.

[Bill Paxtom]

December 3, 1963

~ A 'New' Max Schmeling ~

After '11-Straight' wins, Karl was matched with 'solid-punching' Helmut Ball in an
Eliminator for the German Light-Heavyweight Championship on November 7, 1959
at the Killesburghalle in Stuttgart.

In a 'shocker' Karl was flattened by a Knockout {KO'd in 7}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not one to rest and sulk, 5-weeks {December 12, 1959} later Karl was back in the Ring and
winning, as he scored an impressive {W Dec 8} over 32 1/2 year-old 'veteran' Dutch
Light-Heavyweight - Wim Snoek, a fighter he defeated by {W Dec 8} earlier on June 6, 1959.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next up, was Karl's '1st' American opponent. On December 30, 1959 > at the Sportpalast in
Berlin, Karl was matched with 'cagey' veteran 33 year-old New York Light-Heavyweight -
Jimmy 'The Spoiler' Slade who had a record of 35-20-5 with {10 KO's}

Karl, now at {190 lbs.} boxed impressively, and won an 8-Round Decision over Jimmy {181 lbs.}
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[AdamGB]

8 unanswered posts... wow

[Beanz]

8 unanswered posts... wow

Still not even close to smashing Miles' record.

[Bill Paxtom]

December 3, 1963

~ A 'New' Max Schmeling ~

Part 2

On May 6, 1960 at Ernst Merk Halle in Berlin, Germany

Karl won a {W Dec 8} over 34 year-old veteran England Heavyweight Alex Burton 78-35-3 {53 KO's}.
Karl's victory improved his record to to 17-1-0, with {7 KO's}.

This was to be Karl's last bout with Manager - Willi Knorzer.

As a life-change occurred soon after, as Manager - Willi Knoerzer took his own life, and committed suicide.

Karl {Age; 22 years, 7 months} took some time off {4 1/2 months} and contemplated on whether to continue.

Without a Manager, Karl was advised to contact veteran boxing advisor, Bruno Mueller. He did, and the two
immediately formed a relationship, and Karl decided to return on October 1, 1960.

But first, Bruno Mueller wanted to change Karl's boxing style from a wide-open aggressive slugger, to more of
a Ring Technician, where Karl could take advantage of his southpaw-stance and fast-hand speed.

Bruno Mueller - Manager >
"When I first got Karl, he was a wide-open straight forward moving slugger. While that style may have worked
in the Amateurs and against 'Grade B' Professionals, that style would not work when you faced seasoned Pro's.

"I told Karl that he may get by with that style for now, but eventually he would get 'clocked' and taken out by
some smart fellow. So we started working on ring movement {footwork} right away, so Karl could take advantage
of his remarkable speed."

[Bill Paxtom]

December 3, 1963

~ A 'New' Max Schmeling ~

Part 3

Bruno Mueller - Manager >

After I took over for Karl, we started him out with '3 easy bouts starting in October 1960.

Then I wanted to see what he had in the 'guts department', so we travelled to Bologna, Italy
to take on 'The Emilian Bull' - 32 year-old Franco Cavicchi on December 7, 1960.

It was Karl's 'first' 10-Rounder, and first bout outside of Germany.

Franco was an experienced fighter who was both physical and strong in the Ring. Cavicchi had
an impressive record of 65-9-3 with {44 KO's}. He was the former European Champion {1955/1956},
and was now the #2 Italian Heavyweight.

Karl came in light at {188 lbs.} against Cavicchi's {205 lbs.}

I expected a difficult bout with the tough Italian, who also had a big following.

To my surprise, Karl not only won, but put on a remarkable performance in front of the Italian
Heavyweight's hometown supporters. It was speed versus brawn, and speed won.

[Bill Paxtom]

December 3, 1963

~ A 'New' Max Schmeling ~

Part 4

Bruno Mueller - Manager >

We got our first national 'Publicity Press Release' on January 20, 1961

Karl took on American Heavyweight - Harold Carter {Linden, New Jersey} at the Sportpalast in Berlin.

The promoters brought over Harold Carter. He was a damn good fighter at one time in
1956/1957/1958, and was at one time ranked as high as #7.

He had a record of 27-5-2 {13 KO's}, and was still a young man at {Age; 26 years, 8 months}.

Well, Karl {198 lbs.} took it right to Carter {187 lbs.} from the Opening-Bell, and battered him with
everything. He dropped Carter for a '5-Count' in Round 3.

Then he just pummeled the American for the next 4-Rounds.

In Round 8, Karl was hitting-him-at-will. The Referee ending up stopping the bout at 2:39 of Round 8,
when Carter could not protect himself.

Karl improved to 22-1-0 {10 KO's}, and got a nice write up by the Associated Press.

~ German TKO's Yank In Eigth In Berlin ~

[brocktonblockbust]

December 3, 1963

~ A 'New' Max Schmeling ~

After '11-Straight' wins, Karl was matched with 'solid-punching' Helmut Ball in an
Eliminator for the German Light-Heavyweight Championship on November 7, 1959
at the Killesburghalle in Stuttgart.

In a 'shocker' Karl was flattened by a Knockout {Ko'd in 7}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not one to rest and sulk, 5-weeks {December 12, 1959} later Karl was back in the Ring and
winning, as he scored an impressive {W Dec 8} over 32 1/2 year-old 'veteran' Dutch
Light-Heavyweight - Wim Snoek, a fighter he defeated by {W Dec 8} earlier on June 6, 1959.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next up, was Karl's '1st' American opponent. On December 30, 1959 > at the Sportpalast in
Berlin, Karl was matched with 'cagey' veteran 33 year-old New York Light-Heavyweight -
Jimmy 'The Spoiler' Slade who had a record of 35-20-5 with {10 KO's}

Karl, now at {190 lbs.} boxed impressively, and won an 8-Round Decision over Jimmy {181 lbs.}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

why don't we know more about Mr Ball? Why haven't we heard more about Helmet Ball? He seems to have been a heavy hitter a strong right hand punching power punching. He certainly knocked out Carl Mildenberger in 7 rounds and you would think this would catapult him at least into the top 12 heavy weights right at that time

[Andre]

December 3, 1963

~ A 'New' Max Schmeling ~

After '11-Straight' wins, Karl was matched with 'solid-punching' Helmut Ball in an
Eliminator for the German Light-Heavyweight Championship on November 7, 1959
at the Killesburghalle in Stuttgart.

In a 'shocker' Karl was flattened by a Knockout {Ko'd in 7}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Not one to rest and sulk, 5-weeks {December 12, 1959} later Karl was back in the Ring and
winning, as he scored an impressive {W Dec 8} over 32 1/2 year-old 'veteran' Dutch
Light-Heavyweight - Wim Snoek, a fighter he defeated by {W Dec 8} earlier on June 6, 1959.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Next up, was Karl's '1st' American opponent. On December 30, 1959 > at the Sportpalast in
Berlin, Karl was matched with 'cagey' veteran 33 year-old New York Light-Heavyweight -
Jimmy 'The Spoiler' Slade who had a record of 35-20-5 with {10 KO's}

Karl, now at {190 lbs.} boxed impressively, and won an 8-Round Decision over Jimmy {181 lbs.}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

why don't we know more about Mr Ball? Why haven't we heard more about Helmet Ball? He seems to have been a heavy hitter a strong right hand punching power punching. He certainly knocked out Carl Mildenberger in 7 rounds and you would think this would catapult him at least into the top 12 heavy weights right at that time

Think Ive finally worked out where all this is leading:

1957 Boxing 'world embarrassed' 'Announcers of the day'-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Took the piss out of 'fighters to regularly'.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Heard to say through the large metal trumpet "Helmut Ball fighting out of Bell End".
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coonts, this isnt the wrestling you know,the army would of beat Cassius Clay!

[Bill Paxtom]

June 15, 1966

Festhalle ~ Frankfurt, Germany

{#5} Karl Mildenberger ~ 48-2-3 {17 KO's} ~ 6' 1 1/2" ~ 193 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 7 months}
vs.
{NR} Ivan Preberg ~ 13-9-3 {9 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 182 lbs. ~ {Age; 32 years, 9 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny

Karl Mildenberger > will be making the 3rd-Title Defense of his European Crown. This will be the
German's final tune-up bout, before challenging World Champion - Cassius Clay.

Mildenberger is the heavy-favorite {8-1} and is not expected to have too much difficulty with his
Croatian challenger. Mildenberger is expected to take out the tough Croatian somewhere in the late
middle-Rounds, somewhere between the 8th and 10th Rounds.

Karl Mildenberger >
"Ivan is a very tough fellow. I have to be careful of his fast forward-rushes, where he wings in
overhand rights. I'll box him from the outside, and if it goes 15-Rounds, so be it."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ivan Preberg > is a tough-gritty fighter from Yugoslavia. Ivan is a Light-Heavyweight, but is
moving up to the Heavyweight Division, and will be challenging for the European Championship.

Though from Yugoslavia, Ivan has been primarily campaigning in Germany {7-Bouts} and
Austria {7-Bouts}, and is now living in Luxembourg.

Ivan had started out his career by going 7-8-3, but has turned his career around by going
6-1-0 with {5 KO's} in his last 7-Bouts.

Included was a {KO 7} over American - Dave Bailey on December 3, 1965 > the same fighter who
floored Karl Mildenberger {3-Times} and nearly KO'd him in September 1965.

On the downside, Ivan has been stopped {6-Times} in his career, and was blasted out {L KO 2} by
British southpaw Jack Bodell on October 19, 1965.

Ivan's last bout was against Dave Bailey, so he's been inactive for 7-Months, and that may cause
a problem for Ivan against the sharp-punching southpaw German.

Ivan Preberg >
"I plan on using pressure on Mildenberger. I know that I can't out-box him here in Germany and
get a Decision win, but I may be able to wear him down, and catch him late."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Mildenbrger Decisions Preberg ~

~ Mildenberger Retains Euro Crown ~

Karl Mildenberger scored a 15-Round Decsion of Yugoslavian - Ivan Preberg to retain his European
Championship.

Though the #5 World-Ranked German won, he was not overly impressive, as he was content to
jab his way to victory over the short but physically-strong Preberg.

Mildenberger enjoying a reach advantage did just enough steady-jabbing with his right-hand to
keep the tough-gritty Croatian at bay during the first-half of the bout. But Preberg made enough
fast-charges, to land his heavy hooks to the body to keep Mildenberger from opening up.

The bout was 'even' during the first-half of the bout, which surprised the pro-Mildenberger
and German crowd.

Preberg was able to avoid most of Mildenberger's punches by ducking low. This made for
'minimal action'.

The action hit a 'lull' during the late middle-Rounds, and Referee - Ben Bril had to 'urge' both fighters
to pick up the action several times.

Preberg made his best-charge in Round 10, as he landed with several hard hooks to the body, which
forced Mildenberger to back way. Preberg also fought hard in Round 11, but he expounded a lot of
energy with his fast-rushes.

And by the end of Round 11, the Challenger started to tire.

Starting in Round 12, Mildenberger picked up the pace, and was able to catch Preberg coming in with
his long left-hand leads to the head, to take Rounds 12, 13 and 14 to pull away on Points.

With the bout 'in-hand', Mildenberger opened up with a barrage over the last {1:30} of Round 15,
and hurt Preberg with an assortment of left-hands, that had him backing around the Ring looking
to survive. But the tough Croation remained on his feet to hear the Final Bell.

Referee - Ben Bril {the sole-scoring official} scored the bout for Karl Mildenberger { 73-69 } or 6-2-7 in Rounds.

[Bill Paxtom]

Ring Magazine {October 1966}

Karl Mildenberger {right} celebrates his victory over Ivan Preberg {left} on June 15, 1966
in defense of his European Heavyweight Championship.

Though the German won the 15-Round bout, he again was not overly impressive over a
limited challenger.

Mildenberger was expected to be decisive in his win, to certify his bid for a World
Championship bout against Cassius Clay next. The German failed to impress.

[Bill Paxtom]

June 24, 1966

~ Karl Mildenberger Signs To Challenge World Champion - Cassius Clay ~

German Karl Mildenberger, the #4 WBA-ranked Challenger has agreed to face World
Champion - Cassis Clay on September 10, 1966 > and in Germany.

Bruno Mueller {Manager} >

"Yes, we have signed, and I like the September 10th date. Karl had suffered some 'facial cuts'
in his bout with Ivan Preberg on June 15th, and the added time is required for the cuts
to heal."

"We will start training in mid-July, and that should give us the time {8-Weeks} we need to
prepare."