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

[Bill Paxtom]

~ After Bout Comments ~

~ Der Speigel ~

The German Magazine had the bout scored {7-4-0 in Rounds} for the Champion - Cassius Clay.

The Champion was the class of the show, but 'Milde' was persistent and aggressive in
his attempt to defeat the fast-working Champion.

The Champion was the better man in Rounds 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. Mildenberger did well
in Rounds 3, 4, 9 and 11.

The Champion was 'befuddled' by 'Milde' early in the bout, as he was surprised by the
Challenger's speed. Mildenberger was the better fighter in early part of each session,
as he continually backed up the Champion.

But the Champion came on strong over the last-seconds of each session, as he did
in Round 5, when he dropped 'Milde' at the Bell with a fast jolting right-hand.

The Champion was 'not' impressive at all defensively, as he was tagged numerous times
by awkward punches from 'Milde', as he was boxing with his hands low and by his sides.

Clay had a very good Round in the 6th, as he pummeled 'Milde' whenever he wanted to
open up and fire-away, especially at the end of the Round.

But Mildenberger fought courageously in Rounds 7 and 8, and made the Champion work,
not giving him a rest, as he put on constant pressure. In the second-half of Round 8,
Clay caught 'Milde' with a powerful left-hook that turned his legs to 'jelly' and dropped
him, but 'Milde' was up quickly.

Despite suffering a Knockdown in Round 8, 'Milde' was the effective-aggressor in Round 9,
and did a good job in controlling the action.

Late in Round 10, Clay dropped 'Milde' again, this time with a 'bolt-action' straight right-hand
to the point-of-the-chin as Mildenberger was walking in with his guard down.

The punch sent 'Milde' down on his back, where he did a backwards somersault, before
struggling up at the '6-Count'.

But the gritty Challenger fought on, despite a bloody left-eye which effected his vision. And
again, 'Mllde' rallied in the next Round {Round 11} and fought well, winning the Round as
he out-punched the Champion who back-pedaled around the Ring, and looked arm-weary
and puzzled.

But in Round 12, 'Milde' fought with blurry vision and could not see the right-hands coming
in, and was caught by another jolting right-hand which staggered him.

Referee - Teddy Waltham wisely halted the bout at that point.

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ September 12, 1966

Fight Promoter - Harry Levene

"I thought that 'Milde' put up a good fight, and fought well. He performed much better
than anyone had expected."

"Who thought that he would still be around in Round 12, and fighting back hard. He gave
the Champion a tough time in there."

"I would like to match 'Milde' up with the winner of the Henry Copper vs. Floyd Patterson
bout which is being held this week {September 20th}."

"We can put that bout together for December, and the winner of that bout would earn a
rematch with Cassius Clay for April 1967."

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ September 15, 1966

Kaiserslautern, Germany

~ Townsfolk Give Mildenberger Hero's Ride To City Hall ~

On Wednesday, 20,000 townsfolk lined the streets of Kaiserslautern to greet native Karl Mildenberger
on his exciting effort against Champion - Cassius Clay.

'Milde', still sporting cuts under both eyes inflicted from the slashing-fists of the Champion, was brimming
with smiles as the locales cheered for their Hero during the triumphant procession.

The open-roof car that 'Milde' was standing in while waving to the cheering crowd, proceeded to the
Town Square, where another 5000 locales were waiting to greet 'Milde' along with Mayor - Walter Summer
who have 'Milde' the Key-to-the-City.

A 'crescendo' of cheers erupted, as 'Milde' lifted the large Key above his head and displayed the Gold-painted
Key to the cheering fans.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Cassius Clay vs. Karl Mildenberger 'Recap' ~

Fight Promoters ..... Joachim Gottert and Harry Levene
Main Bout, Inc. ...... Received > $200,000 from ABC-TV for the broadcast rights

Attendance ............ 45,000 {Waldstadion Stadium, Frankfurt ... Capacity; 80,000 }
Gate Receipts......... $500,000
Ancillary Fee's ....... $250,000

Fight Purses
Cassius Clay .......... $350,000+ {Some estimates put the Fight Purse at closer to $400,000 }
Karl Mildenberger... $100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Saturday ~ September 17, 1966

Following the Championship Bout, Karl Mildenberger left long-time Manager - Bruno Mueller,
and signed with Wolfgang Mueller {son of Bruno Mueller}.

Wolfgang Mueller >

"I want 'Milde' to take 6-to-8 weeks off, so that his cuts heal. We will 'not' fight again this
year."

"We've already had offers to Challenge - Cassius Clay again for next year, to fight the winner
of the Floyd-Patterson - Henry Cooper bout, and also to fight former Champion - Sonny Liston
in Sweden set for January 1967."

"Now, everybody wants to fight us, because 'Milde' is such a huge draw, and is entertaining."

[Master]

[Bill Paxtom]

Excellent Photo Mr. Master

Mildenberger's left-eye was nearly closed, and he couldn't see a thing from the
8th Round and on.

A testamenent to his courage, and a weakness in Clay's punching-power.

[Master]

The other way to see it was Ali using his brilliant skills and power to slice up a good fighter like Karl.