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

[Master]

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

While Cassius Clay was a brilliant boxer with fast-hands, he was exposed as having
nothing more than 'average power' for a big Heavyweight.

Let's not forget, that though 'Mllde' was an aggressive fighter, he had a 'below-average'
defense and a very questionable chin.

And 'Milde' was only 194 lbs., which did not put him in the average sized Heavyweight
category.

That average power stopped Patterson, Liston, London and Cooper. If Ali had the single punch power of Joe Louis he would be the perfect fighter.

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ October 30, 1966

~ EBU Demands Mildenbeger Sign Contract To Defend Title ~

~ Mildenberger May Be Stripped Of Crown ~

There is no more rest for European Heavyweight Champion - Karl Mildenberger.

The German who fought so courageously against Cassius Clay in his challenge for
the World Heavyweight Championship on September 10th, has been ordered by
the European Boxing Union to sign a contract, to defend his European Championship
by January 16, 1967 against Italy's Piero Tomasoni.

Wolfgang Mueller {Manager} >

"Karl has only had 50-Days of rest, and we're being ordered to sign a contract, or be
be stripped of the European Champion and be suspended."

"You would think that the EBU would acknowledge Milde's great effort against the
World Champion, and allow us 75-Days of rest, before making demands."

'We have always defended the European Championship within the proper time frame,
and never issued a delay. This makes no sense to me."

"We were planning on fighting former 2-Time World Champion - Floyd Patterson in
mid-December 1967, but 'Milde' was checked out by '2' Doctors who advised him
to have a more rest, and to not start training until the end of December."

"I really wanted to take 'Milde' to Los Angeles in December, and plan for a bout with
the American - Jerry Quarry for January 1967. But this will effect our plans."

"We really can't make any money defending the European Championship against
the 'mandated' Challenger {Piero Tomasoni}. Not even 1/5 {20%} of what we
could get to fight Floyd Patterson."

"It seems like the EBU doesn't want Karl to make any money."

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ February 1, 1967

Festhalle ~ Frankfurt, Germany

Attendance ....... { 14,000 }

European Heavyweight Championship

{5} Karl Mildenberger ~ 49-3-3 {17 KO's} ~ 6' 1 1/2" ~ 199 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 2 months}
vs.
{19} Piero Tomasoni ~ 28-5-4 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 10" ~ 189 lbs. ~ {Age; 33 years, 8 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

Karl Mildenberger's '1st-Bout' in 4 1/2 months, since his courageous effort against the Champion - Cassius Clay
on September 10, 1966.

This will Milde's 4th Title Defense, since he won the European Championship on October 17, 1964.

Both Mildenberger and Piero Tomasoni fought once before, back on May 14, 1965 - where Karl edged out
Piero by a 'narrow' 15-Round Decision.

Since that loss, the Italian Heavyweight Champion has gone 3-1-1, including a {TKO 3} over British Heavyweight
Jack Bodell on June 28, 1966.

Both fighters southpaws. Karl fights with an aggressive-style, with fast-punching and movement. Piero comes
straight in and low, and attacks the body with both hands.
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Wolfgang Mueller {Manager for Karl Mildenberger}>

"We would like to go to Los Angeles and fight American - Jerry Quarry next. We have been promised a rematch
with the Champion {Cassius Clay} if we defeat Jerry Quarry."

"But, we are not looking past Piero. He is tough, and never stops coming in. It will be a difficult fight, but 'Milde'
is the more skillful and technical boxer."

[Bill Paxtom]

February 1, 1967

~ Mildenberger Wins, But Gets Boo'ed By German Fans ~

~ Mildenberger Escapes With Tight Decision Over Italian - Tomasoni ~

~ Mildenberger Retains European Championship, But Decision Not Well Received ~

~ Mildenberger Is Still Set To Pursue Cassius Clay ~

~ Mildenberger Sluggish, But Retains European Title ~

Karl Mildenberger, fighting before 14,000 fans at the Festhalle in Frankfurt, Germany rallied over the last
4-Rounds to escape with a 'tight' 1-Point {70-69} 15-Round Decision win over tough-fighting Piero Tomasoni
of Italy to retain his European Heavyweight Championship.

Things got off to a rocky start for Mildenberger in the 1st-Round, as after only 30-Seconds 'Milde' found himself
on the canvas, after getting tagged by 'whistling' left-hook to the jaw.

Mildenberger {199 lbs.} was badly stunned, and was down for a '7-Count' before he rose on 'unsteady legs'.

The rough-slugging Tomasoni {189 lbs.} then came in charging after 'Milde' rose, and slammed more hard hooks
into the German's head before the Round ended.

The visiting 33 1/2 year-old Italian, despite a 4" height advantage, stayed aggressive in both Rounds 2 and 3, as he
worked himself inside while Mildenberger tried to get some distance by circling and flicking out 'light' right-hands.

Tomasoni was at his best in Rounds 4, 5 and 6 > as he worked Mildenberger over, by slamming in 'heavy' hooks to
the ribs and mid-section, and short left-hooks to the face while staying in close, as he got the better of the in-fighting.



After 6-Rounds, Mildenberger had a lacerated left-eye, and a badly bruised face from the fists of the veteran Italian.

In Rounds 7 and 8, Tomasoni slowed down some, but kept charging forward looking to slam in his body punches
while keeping Mildenberger on the defensive.

But, Mildenberger was able to get some distance between himself and Tomasoni late in each of Rounds 7 and 8, and
scored with a series of 'pecking' right-hand jabs, to hold the Italian at bay.

After 8-Rounds, Mildenberger was trailing badly on Points.

Round 9 was fought on 'even terms', as Mildenberger was able to get some room to deliver his quick 'one-two' punches.
But still the veteran Tomasoni was still able to get in close enough, to slam in some hard punches to the German's body.

Mildenberger started to make his 'comeback-rally' in Round 10, as the aggressive Italian slowed down. 'Milde' then started
to score with repeated right-jabs, and fast straight left-hands from the outside.

In Round 11, Mildenberger kept up with a steady-attack, as Tomasoni was less aggressive, and fading.

In Round 12, Mildenberger switched his attack to the body, and hurt Tomasoni with a series of punches to the mid-section.
Then 'Milde' shook the Italian with a hard 'right-left' to the head, and came back with left-hook to the liver which 'dropped'
Tomasoni.

The Italian was down for a short-count, then took the 'Mandatory 8-Count' before continuing. Tomasoni then covered
up well and survived Round 12.

Surprisingly, Tomasoni came back well in Round 13, and out-worked Mildenberger by landing a steady assortment of
body punches on the inside.

The 'last' 2-Rounds, Mildenberger fought while circling and flicking out 'light punches' from the outside, while Tomasoni
pursued, but was unable to get close enough to land an effective punch.

Sole Scoring Referee - Bill Williams {Great Britain}
* 70-69 > {5-4-6 in Rounds} for Karl Mildenbeger

The Decision was greeted with boo's and whistles from the German crowd of 14,000.
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~ After Bout Comments ~

Karl Mildenberger >
"It was a rough fight. But I turned it around, and won 5 of the last 6 Rounds. He caught me good in the 1st-Round,
and it took me about 5-Rounds to clear my head."

"I still want to fight Jerry Quarry, and plan on challenging the Champion - Cassius Clay again in a few months."
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Wolfgang Mueller {Manager for Karl Mildenberger} >
"We're travelling to New York on Saturday {February 4th}, and then we will be going to Houston, Texas to watch
the Cassius Clay vs. Ernie Terrell 'unification bout'."

"After that, we will be heading to Los Angeles to sign to face an 'unknown opponent'. Then, it's Cassius Clay again."
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Piero Tomasoni >
"I thought I won, as did his hometown supporters. I want another fight with 'Mildeberger, but it should be on
Neutral-Ground."

"The Referee {Bill Willians of Great Britain} should have never given him the Decision. I'm sure the EBU will demand
'Milde' to give me a rematch."

[Bill Paxtom]

March 3, 1967

~ Mildenberger and 'The Golden Boy' Sign To Fight ~

Karl Mildenberger and Billy Walker have signed to fight on March 21, 1967 at Empire Pool
in Wembley, London.

The German - Karl Mildenberger will be defending his European Heavyweight Championship for
the 5th-Time since winning the Title in October 1964.

This will be the Brit - Billy Walker's first attempt at the European Championship.

Mildenberger {Age; 29 years, 4 months}, has a record of 50-3-3 with {17 KO's}.

Billy 'Golden Boy' Walker {Age; 28 years, 0 months} has a record of 20-5-2 with {15 KO's}.
The 'hard-punching' Brit has won '6-Straight', with all coming by way of stoppage.

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ March 21, 1967

Empire Pool ~ Wembley, London, United Kingdom

Attendance ..... { 10,500 }

European Heavyweight Championship

{5} Karl Mildenberger ~ 50-3-3 [17 KO's} ~ 6' 1 1/2" ~ 199 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 4 months}
vs.
{17} Billy Walker ~ 20-5-2 {15 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 190 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 0 months}
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~ The Skinny ~

Karl Mildenberger, ranked at #5 Ring Magazine, needs a win if he wants another chance at Champion - Cassius Clay.

Billy 'Golden Boy' Walker, ranked at #17 Ring Magazine feels that he is ready to win the European Championship.

Billy said that after he defeats Mildenberger, he wants to fight the come-backing former World Champion - Sonny Liston
next, and in Sweden.

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ March 21, 1967

Attendance .... { 10,500 }