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

[Bill Paxtom]

May 14, 1965

~ Karl Mildenberger In Ring Win Over Piero Tomasoni, Retains Euro Crown ~

~ 'Euro King' Mildenberger Wins, But Not Impressive ~

Karl Mildenberger the #6 Ring Magazine Heavyweight and European Champion successfully
defended his Title by a 15-Round Decision over 'difficult' Challenger - Piero Tomasoni of Italy.

Mildenberger {196 lbs.} was 'not impressive', and had to rally over the last 4-Rounds to win
the 15-Round Decision over Tomasoni {183 lbs.} who had built up a Points lead over the
first 10-Rounds.

The action was a rough-going for Mildenberger during the early Rounds, as the Italian was banging
away with looping right-hands from his southpaw stance. Tomasoni opened up a 'cut' over Mildenberger's
right-eye in Round 3 when he caught the German with a left-hand.

Mildenberger then spent a good deal of his time protecting the eye, and fell behind on Points as
the tough Italian worked hard inside. Tomasoni was rough as he banged heads {butted} Mildenberger
on several occassions, while in close.



Both fighters who fight from the southpaw-stance, neutralized each other many times throughout
the middle-Rounds, as neither could take comand.

After 9-Rounds, the German was behind on Points, and there was concern in Mildenberger's corner.

Mildenberger finally came out of his shell during the second-half of Round 10, as he caught Tomasoni
coming in with several sharp left-hand leads. Then Mildenberger rammed in '4' straight left-hands into
Tomasoni's head that closed the Italian's right-eye.

Mildenberger was at-his-best over the last 4-Rounds, as he scored with short right-jabs into the
face of Tomasoni. Then the German 'raked' over his challenger with long-range left-hands to the
head, and he staggered Tomasoni on several occassions with swift combinations.

Tomasoni put up good effort in his '1st-Bout' with a World-Ranked fighter, and had the 14,000 German
fans worried after 9-Rounds.

The sole-scoring Referee - Philippe De Becker > scored the bout { 70-69 } or {6-5-4 in Rounds} for Karl Mildenberger.

[Bill Paxtom]

September 10, 1965

Ernst Merk Halle ~ Hamburg, Germany

Attendance ..... { 5600 }

{#6} Karl Mildenberger ~ 45-2-3 {17 KO"s} ~ 6' 1 1/2" ~ 196 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 10 months}
vs.
{NR} Dave Bailey ~ 22-11-3 {14 KO's} ~ 6' 1 1/2" ~ 210 lbs. ~ {Age; 32 years, 8 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karl Mildenberger is back in the Ring, 4-Months after his very tough 15-Round bout with Italian
Piero Tomasoni.

'Dangerous' Dave Bailey is a true journeyman Heavyweight. Dave, based out of Philadelphia
has been campaigning for 10-Years, and also has been a sparring-partner for Champions
Sonny Liston and Cassius Clay.

At one-time in his career, Dave was considered a dangerous opponent, as he had a good
overhand right-hand. But now, Dave is regarded as a somewhat safe opponent.

Since October 23, 1962 > Dave has gone 0-6-1 in his '7-Bouts', including getting stopped
in '4' of those bouts.

In Dave's most recent bout {June 30, 1965} he was clobbered {L KO 3} by George Chuvalo
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~ The Skinny ~

Bruno Mueller {Manager for Karl Mildenberger} >

We wanted Karl to take on a guy with a good right-hand. Dave Bailey is a big guy with a good
right-hand. He is also a sparring-partner for Champion - Cassius Clay, so we know that he's over
here to test us.

His record is better than what it shows, so Karl will have to be careful with this guy. And I'm
sure that Bailey would like nothing better than to score an upset on us. The Philadelphia fighter
has nothing to lose, so I'm sure he will come out swinging.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jimmy DePiano {Manager for Dave Bailey} >

We know what we're supposed to do. We are going right after this guy with right-hands. If Dave can
land just 'one-punch', he will put him down. The German is fast, but his chin is suspect.

People forget that Dave was highly-regarded in September 1962 {Record of 22-5-2} and was in
the Top 25. Then he took on a lot of tough guys who were really bruising big-hitters;
{Cleveland Williams, Sonny Banks, Eddie Machen, Bob Foster, Leotis Martin and George Chuvalo}
and he lost badly.

But, we're still capable of upsetting anyone. One 'right-hand' is all it takes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Mildenberger Wins, But Not Without Controversy ~

~ German - Mildenberger Floored '3-Times', But Wins Over American - Bailey ~

Karl Mildenbeger, the #6 World-Ranked Heavyweight won a 'controversial' 10-Round Decision
over American - Dave Bailey, despite being floored 3-Times.

The southpaw Mildenbeger {196 lbs.} came out both fast-and-aggressive in the Opening Round,
and threw an assortment of right-hooks and left-hands into the bigger American, while discounting
any defense over the first-half of the session.

Then in 'flash', Bailey {210 lbs.} caught Mildenberg coming in with an overhand right, that landed
flush on the German's jaw. Mildenberg went down hard at the {1:35 Mark}, and looked out of it.

Referee - Felix Ohlert then took his time in directing Bailey to a Neutral-Corner. When the German
Referee came back to start counting, Mildenberger had already been down for 5-Seconds. Instead
of picking the Count up at '5', the Referee started counting from '1'.

Mildenberger struggled to his knee's, and then rose at the '7-Count'. Still groggy, Mildenberger
wobbled around the Ring as the American attacked with looping right-hands. Just as it appreared
that Bailey may drop the 'dazed' German again, the Bell rang early at {2:10 Mark} ending the Round.

When the Bell rang early, Dave Bailey's corner went 'ballistic'.

Coming out for Round 2, the German looked to have cleared the 'cobwebs', but Mildenberger
fought cautiously by staying outside, and cirlcing while moving fast.

Bailey went on the attack, and plodded while 'flinging' in his hard right-hands. Though Baliley
was the aggressor and won Round 2, he was unable to tag the fast-moving Mildenberger with
a flush-punch.

Mildenberger had cleared his head coming out for Round 3, and went back to boxing smoothly
with fast right-jabs and straight-lefts on the 'slow-moving' American.

During Rounds 4, 5 and 6 > Mildenberger used fast right-jabs and right-hooks to set up the
American for his straight left-hands to the head. Mildenberger landed repeated left-hands into
Bailey's head to back him up into the Ropes, but Mildenberger was unable to hurt the Philadelphia
veteran badly.

The 'Controversial Round 7' >

Mildenberger came out like he had in the previous 3-Rounds, with a fast-and-aggressive attack over
the first 50-Seconds. The German was firing in 'stinging' right-left punches to the head, while again
forgetting about his defense, while drivng Bailey into the Ropes again.

Then in a 'flash', Dave Bailey unloaded with a hard 'left-right' to the head that dropped Mildenberger
near the Ropes at the {0:55 Mark}.

Mildenberger was 'badly-stunned', but managed to get up at the '4-Count'.

An excited Dave Bailey attacked, and slammed a 'dazed' Mildenberger with a barrage of right-hands
that had him reeling backwards, and eventually crashing backwards on his back and on the floor at
the {1:23 Mark}.

A 'dazed' Mildenberger pulled himself up at the '7-Count' and looked out-of-it. Then as action resumed,
Mildenberger grabbed-and-held onto the American has he moved in. Dave Bailey tried to free himself, so
he could deliver his hard right-hands over the top, but Mildenberger held tightly.

At the {1:50 Mark}, Bailey was able to get free and added some distance, as he landed with several
glancing right-hands on the 'still shaken' German.

Just as it appeared that Bailey would drop Mildenberger again, the Bell rang early at the {2:00 Mark}.

Again, just like the 1st-Round, Dave Bailey's corner went 'ballistic', screaming at the Ringside Officials.

In Round 8, a still 'groggy' Mlldenberger wobbled around the Ring on 'shaky pins', but stood just
outside the slow-plodding Bailey. Each time that the American tried to unload his hard right-hand,
Mildenberger would grab him and hold, and then back away fast.

In Round 9 Karl Mildenberger made a solid effort to stall the Dave Bailey. Karl scored with sharp
right-jabs into the face of the American, who didn't have the foot-speed to deal with the German.

By the end of Round, it was Dave Bailey who suddenly looked 'weary', as Mildenberger scored with
several solid straight left-hands to the head.

In Round 10, Mildenberger maintained control as he used quick 'one-two' punches to stave off any
charges from Dave Baliey who was now 'visibly' tired. Very late in the Finak Round, Mildenberger
wobbled Bailey with a 'double' left-hook to the head, but the American covered up well over the last
20-Seconds and made it to the Final Bell.

The Referee - Felix Ohlert {sole-scoring official} scored the bout for Karl Mildenberger { 46-44 }.

[Bill Paxtom]

November 26, 1965

Festhalle ~ Frankfurt, Germany

Attendance ...... { 8000 }

{#6} Karl Mildenberger ~ 46-2-3 {17 KO's} ~ 6 1 1/2" ~ 194 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 0 months}
vs.
{NR} Gerhard Zech ~ 31-4-1 {18 KO's} ~ 6' 6" ~ 218 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 6 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny 'Part 1' ~

Karl Mildenberger is making the 2-Title Defense of his European Crown. Karl is hoping for an impressive win,
and hopes to Challenge for the World Championship in early-1966.

Gerhard Zech is a tall-and-awkward Heavyweight, and is also from Germany. Like Mildenberger, Gerhard is a
southpaw with fairly quick-hands.

Gerhard was once the #8 World-Ranked Heavyweight in early-1964 when his record was 27-1-1. But since
March 1964, Gerhard has gone 4-3 in '7-Bouts', and has suffered '2' bad KO losses while falling out of Top 25.

On July 28th, the European Boxing Union designated Gerhard Zech as the next 'mandatory' Challenger for the
Championship.

~ The Skinny 'Part 2' ~

Like Mildenberger, Gerhard is also managed by Bruno Mueller.

Gerhard is also a former sparring-partner of Mildenberger, as both sparred regularly from 1961 thru 1963.

Gerhard is coming off an 'upset loss' {L KO 2} to American 'journeyman' Dave Bailey only 7-Weeks earlier, on
October 8, 1965

The same Dave Bailey who floored Karl Mildenberger '3-Times' in their bout on September 10, 1965 > only
to lose by a 10-Round Decision in their controversial match.

Oddly, Karl Mildenberger was supposed to face Dave Bailey on October 8th in a rematch, but he pulled out
and Gerhard Zech filled in, only to get KO'd in 2.

Fight Purses
* Karl Mildenberger ...... $35,000 {U.S. Dollars}
* Gerhard Zech ............. $8500 {U.S. Dollars}

This bout is billed as > 'The War At Festhalle'
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~ Mildenberger Whips Zech In Dull Bout ~

Karl Mildenberger defeated countryman Gerhard Zech in a 'dull-and-uninspired' 15-Round Decision to retain his
European Championship.

The { 8000 } specatators at the Festhalle Arena boo'd the lack of action between both German combatants,
as neither appeared anxious to deliver hard punches.

Karl Mildenberger {194 lbs.}, used his fast right-jabs to out-hit the bigger, but slower Gerhard Zech {215 lbs.}
throughout most of the Rounds.

But when the fighters were in close and traded, Zech appeared to have the heavier-hands and moved Mildenberger
backwards.

Mildenberger had his best moments in Rounds 11, 12 and 13 > when he had the {6' 6" tall} Zech on weary legs,
but Mildenberger infuriated the crowd when he refused to deliver his hard straight left-hands on his fading
opponent.

A tired Zech was able to hold off Mildenberger during the last 2-Rounds, by mauling the smaller Mildenberger
with his long-arms, and by clutching-and-hitting.

Referee - Jean Welter {the sole-scoring official} scored the bout for Karl Mildenberger { 72-69 } or 6-3-6 in Rounds.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 3, 1966

Festhalle ~ Frankfurt, Germany

Promoter .... 'Empire Boxing Enterprises'

Attendance ....... { 13,000 } 'Sell-Out'

{#5} Karl Mildenberger ~ 47-2-3 {17 KO's} ~ 6 1 1/2' ~ 196 1/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 2 months}
vs.
{NR} Eddie Machen ~ 47-6-3 {29 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ 192 1/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 33 years, 7 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Karl Mildenberger is now ranked #5 WBA and #7 Ring Magazine. Karl will be facing his most
experienced American opponent in Eddie Machen.

Karl is now on the thresh-hold of earning a Championship bout with Cassius Clay.

Eddie Machen has not fought in 9-Months, since fighting to a 10-Round Draw with Elmer Rush
on May 10, 1965. Eddie has fallen out of the World Top 25 ratings.

Eddie has gone {0-2-1} in his last '3-Bouts', and registered his last win on February 17, 1964
when he scored a {KO 1} over Duke Sabedong.

The fighters signed for this bout on January 5, 1966 > so both have had ample time {4-Weeks}
to prepare.
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~ The Skinny ~

Bruno Mueller {Manager} has brought in American Boxing Trainer from New York {John Pomponio}
to help improve the technical skills of Karl Mildenberger.

John Pomponio >
"I have never seen another fighter world as hard as Karl. He wants to improve in every Gym session."

Also, The Mildenberger Camp has brought over 'Bobcat' Bob Stallings from New York to be Karl's
sparring-partner.

Karl Mildenberger >
"I'll win a Decision. All I have to do, is stay outside and use my right-jab, and stay away from his
strength, which is in-fighting."

Eddie Machen >
"If that 'old-man' Dave Bailey can drop 'Milde' 3-Times, then I'm sure that I can too. Once I get
inside his jabs, I'll rip him up inside."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Mildenberger Wins Another Odd-Bout In Germany ~

Karl Mildenberger defeated American - Eddie Machen by 10-Round Decision at the Festhalle in Frankfurt.

Though the #5 WBA-Ranked Heavyweight won, it was another odd-bout for the 'highly-ranked' German.

Both Mildenberger {196 lbs.} and Machen {192 lbs.} fought on relatively even terms drung the first
2-Rounds Mildenberger. The German using his southpaw-stance boxed carefully as he used right-jabs from
the outside, while the American moved in close, and attempted to land combinations to the body.

In Rounds 3 and 4, Machen fought like a 'caged animal', as he would unleash fast '3-Punch' flurries on the
inside, and then back into a shell.

But as each time that Machen appeared to gain control, Referee - Gerhard Seewald would move in, and call
'Break' and pulled Machen off for no reason at all. Each time that the Referee called 'Break', the packed house
of { 13,000 } hissed with displeasure.

In Rounds 5 and 6, Machen started to gain control, as he raked the German on the inside with a series of hard
'left-right' combinations to both the head and body, and swung the bout in his favor.

In Round 6, the Referee was completely in the wrong, as he pulled-out Machen after he landed a hard flurry
that had Mildenberger on the complete defenside. The Festhalle spectators voiced their disapproval with
loud boo's directed at the Referee.

In Round 7, the pattern followed the same, but during one exchange, Referee - Gerhard Seewald moved in
to pull off Machen, but the American flung his elbow and caught the Referee in the head, knocking him backwards
and down to the canvas at the {1:00 Mark}.

The action was halted, and Gerhard Seewald was helped to his feet and out of the Ring. After a 5-Minute
break, a replacement Referee {Helmut Betram} was brought in.

When action resumed, both fighters traded with fair punches to the head and body for the next 2-Minutes,
until the end of Round 7.

Coming out for Round 8, Mildenberger fought more aggressively, and started to use his powerful right-hand
to pepper Machen backwards. As Machen was forced to the back-center Ropes, Mildenberger unleashed
'2' powerful left-hooks to the head, and dropped Machen near the Ropes.

Machen was down briefly, and was up at the '1-Count'. But Mildenberger gained control, and used his sharp
right-jabs to clearly dominate the Round.

In Rounds 9 and 10, it was Mildenberger who landed more punches, as he scored with 'long-range' right-hands,
as Machen stalked but who was unable to establish an effective offense.

The Ring Official scored the bout for Karl Mildenberger { 97-94 } or 5-3-2 in Rounds.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 3, 1966

~ German Heavy Beats Machen ~

~ Karl Mildenberger Wants Champ Clay Now ~

German Heavyweight - Karl Mildenberger stands over Eddie Machen in Round 8,
after flooring the American with '2' jarring left-hooks to the head.

Machen who was only down briefly got up, only to lose a 10-Round Decision to
the flashy southpaw.