Jan 1971, I just got out of the army. My best bud Larry and I go to Scranton to watch Muhammad Ali box three different heavyweights consecutively. One was the reigning European heavyweight champion. It was an exhibition and in-between fighters Muhammad Ali grabbed the mic and talked to the audience. He was funny as hell. What a great night. I had survived the army and was back home in time to watch Muhammad Ali.

Ali was indeed the greatest ever. Greatest in tenacity, skill and determination to win.

Ali's accuracy was off the charts = 9 shots at he end thrown = nine landed perfectly!

What great sportsmanship. Legendary human being. The Greatest.

I don’t blame Karl for losing. Ali is the greatest heavyweight champion of all time!! R.I.P the ppl’s champ

I met Ali at a private party in Los Angeles before he succumbed to Parkinson's. As many of you well know (and as is often the case at house parties), the best conversations take place in the kitchen and this was no different. I asked Ali what it was like to take a punch from Frazier and he said, "Have you ever split wood with an ax and hit the wood wrong? You know, when you feel that shock in your arm and shoulder that numbs half your body? It's exactly like that every time he hits you. It takes a few minutes for it to wear off." One of the most memorable human beings I've ever met in person. A giant. Intelligent, friendly, funny, accessible, and imposing all at the same time. A superstar personality. A generational athlete. Truly the greatest of all time, IMHO.

The German heavyweight’s movement was exceptional. Muhammad Ali’s movement is one of a heavyweight poet that dances with a ballerina’s precision and moves his head like Neo in Matrix. No one before nor since has been visited with celestial energy like Muhammad Ali. The Greatest Man in human history. His power punches would’ve inspired Albert Einstein. Who can argue with his virtue. I am humbled by that man’s life. #TheGOAT

Thanks for the video, Muhammad Ali

For me, Ali is the greatest not because of his winning matches against other greats like Frazier or Foreman. For me it is because of his matches before 1967 ban. Those matches really showed us his greatness and uniqueness. With that era Ali, Boxing looked like a pure art form, not a sport...! No boxer will ever do boxing as beatiful as Ali did....! Vietnam war grabbed his prime years, it is ultimately an unrecoverable loss for all boxing lovers...!

Now do anybody wonder why they call him the greatest of all times Rumble young man rumble You sure did shake up the world In my book you are the greatest

Mildenberger was a southpaw which at first gave Ali a hard time. Until after Mohammed Ali changed his style up to counter the southpaw style of Mildenberger. And then it was all downhill from there. It was something Ali wasn't used to. He was a great boxer and a technician.

Muhammad Ali's jab game was exceptional. His defense was incredible as well

This guy proved that he could survive in the ring against arguably the best ever in his prime. My hat's off.

Ali wasn't blood thirsty and it was a sport to him. He was never trying to kill his opponents. He understood that it was a sport and on a few occasions expressed that

R.I.P Karl Mildenberger 23.11.1937 - 5.10.2018

May not be the greatest but definitely the most beautiful and graceful styled fighter. Artwork.

Ali was the best athlete the heavyweight division has ever seen, or will ever see. Pure poetry, with his feet, hands, and mouth....

man, what an underrated fight, Ali at his best and Karl trying his best.... Ali was a surgeon back then

Muhammad Ali was the best & smartest boxer in history. The only deficiency M. Ali had was not having a lethal iron punch to destroy his outclassed opponents in the shortest time possible. That deficiency was costly. It forced him to endure many unnecessary rounds which cumulatively took mental & physical toll on him. Having said that, Muhammad Ali was/is still the pioneer textbook of modern boxing.

It's so sad Ali had to stop his career in 1967. He was so beautiful to watch. A combination of sports and arts.

Unmatched skills and what is so crazy about Ali is that we didn't see him at his best due to him being banned and we still say he is the greatest ever! To me that's what so crazy we never got to see his best years and he is still so much better than anyone else. No fighter in history could do what he did...his footwork his jab his defense his counters his heart his stamina....he was on his toes the entire fight@@😱. He was an unbelievable fighter. He had one of the best chins too.... Nobody could ever do anything like this and we never saw him at his best!

Damn. Ali was so good in his prime. But I gotta hand it to the German. He's got the heart of a champion. No shame in losing to the GOAT in his prime. Karl gave it his all and did not disappoint

This guy was Rocky Balboa even before he was invented in Hollywood! Man, what a heart and damaging hands

I'm a huge Ali fan..and now I am a fan of Karl Mildenberger !

His ability to throw the right lead consistently and effectively really underline how fast Ali really was.

This was the first world heavyweight title bout ever held in Germany. Mildenberger was the first southpaw to fight for the World Heavyweight Title. Ali was a 10-1 favorite. There was a crowd of about 40,000. Introduced in the ring prior to the bout were former World Heavyweight Champions Max Schmeling, Joe Louis, and Ingemar Johansson. Ali and Mildenberger wore six-ounce British gloves. Mildenberger's left eye was badly cut in the sixth round and almost completely closed by the eighth round. Mildenberger was knocked down in rounds five, eight, and ten. Referee Teddy Waltham of Great Britain stopped the bout at 1:28 of the 12th round to protect Mildenberger from further punishment. The fight was scored by rounds. At the time of the stoppage, Referee Teddy Waltham had Ali ahead 7-2-2, and Judges Felix Ohlet and Nat Fleischer (editor of The Ring magazine) each had Ali leading 7-3-1. The Associated Press had Ali in front 9-1-1. One of the promoters said Ali would collect a purse of about $300,000 and Mildenberger about $100,000 of the total gross of approximately $750,000 from the gate receipts and television. Questioned in 1973, Ali said that Mildenberger, not Joe Frazier, was his most difficult opponent to date.

Ali was a very unusual character. Both in and out of the ring. I've seen many fights he could've won earlier, but it was almost as if he saw boxing as an art form and had to play it out. How many fights has he been in like this where he dances around and seems unable to finish it, but always does in the end.

No Heavyweight EVER possessed the handspeed and Head Movement that Ali was blessed with. His foot speed is unmatched among any Heavyweight that ever lived!

Ali didn't try to kill opponents. He just raised his hands, "Like he needs no more, he can't win, step in ref" 🥊🥊 RIP Champ 🏆

Ali just went to town at 38:17, leading to the knockdown toward the end of the round at 38:52. What a brilliant display of foot work, angles and handspeed.

This is a super human. Intelligent, elegant, and a boxing maestro. Did you ever hear of boxers who were more handsome than film actors? Well, you just looked at one. This is a total boxer. A dancer, and a craftsman. A target that is moving so much, that it is really not a target. Muhammad Ali has enriched us all, not just as a boxer, but an exemplary human being. We are very grateful to him.

His a genius he never fought a South paw until this fight but in the fight he completely adjusted to his opponent movements and tweaked his style. Ali ring IQ is just not talked about too much that man was a genius fighter.

Good fight. Ali seemed unable to connect with several combinations in the early rounds while Mildenberger was repeatedly connecting with his right jab to Ali's head and body, but the champ's capacity to shake off a good punch served him well. In the middle rounds, he became more aggressive, finally started connecting with his combinations, and began to take command. However, the German fighter's technique and his ability to bob and weave, connect solidly with Ali at times, and avoid most of Ali's punches save for his punishing left jab, kept the champ at bay just enough until the very end, when Ali's devastating punching attack left Mildenberger vulnerable. Obviously, he presented a difficult target to hit in the early rounds, but once Ali began connecting and going after him, it was just a matter of time before Mildenberger could be hit almost at will and the fight was stopped.

This was back before ppv stole your money. I was 13 and watched this on tv.

Really good fight. Thank you very much for posting it. Watching Ali at the height of his powers is awe inspiring. The guy was a machine. Mildenberger showed real heart. The word courage is used quite a bit these days, but this was a courageous effort.

They are all legendary boxer as of this moment. Its great to witness the fight.

The way that Ali moves compared to the heavyweight champions of today.

Ali was an artist in the ring. Except for a few fights, he always held back when he could have inflicted serious damage. Credit to the ref for stopping the fight when it was obvious that Karl was done.

thanks 4 sharing, i thought i had seen all the champs fights, made up iv found your channel what a legend the true GOAT,, Ali boomba yay boomba yay he may be gone but never forgotten, the peoples champion,,

Whenever he starts, just to see him bounce and shadow box one two one two puts a smile 😁 on my face since l was a kid.

Ali was never this quick on his feet after his three year layoff. This was his prime, his best years. There was no one around to give him any serious competition back then.

I always admired how Muhammad Ali never had to rush his way through a fight or be compulsive. He was patient and strategic to disciplined. Some fighters especially when their talented always pursue going for the kill but Ali would take his time. Unique indeed

It was Cosell’s thing back then to question Ali’s punching power. He did it often, probably to create controversy. Ali was never a big puncher. He referred to himself as a “Pretty Dancer”. His opponents were mostly stopped with an accumulation of punches. Looking back on these first reign fights, in retrospect, it’s utterly amazing how this man moved and how hard he was to hit. He was a genius.

What a great boxer he was very special Muhammad Ali was the greatest RIP

as in most of ali's fights as the rounds went on it seemed like ali grew taller and his opponent was shrinking before our eyes

Excelente trabajo de presentación de la historia del más grande boxeador de la historia.

What an athlete & boxer... haven't seen his form since.

Ali was easily the greatest of all time. Just look at him. Glad I met him.

Ali was clearly in his prime, so even though Mildenberger eventually lost the fight, he did admirably well against one of the best heavyweight boxers in history -- and arguably *the* best of that particular era.

Mad respect for Howard Cosell....at the time, ABC SPORTS producers refused to acknowledge Ali’s transition to the Muslim religion and repeatedly referred to him as Clay....and insisted Cosell do the same....but keeping true to his friendship with THE GREATEST, Cosell repeatedly referred to him throughout the bout as The Champion....👍👍👍👍

Mildenberger was one tough dude. Probably Ali's toughest fight during his reign before he was stripped of the title. Cosell kept saying Ali would have a lot to explain after the fight for his inability to put his opponent away. I think this is one of Ali's most impressive performances. He moved and boxed the entire fight and went flat footed to get his power shots off when the opportunity presented itself. He gutted out a tough fight against a determined, strong southpaw opponent who presented a difficult target. I don't think Ali ever went in the ring with another southpaw for the rest of his career. This fight explains that.

Ali was the better fighter...But that German had no Quit in him! Glad I found this Gem!👍

I saw this fight so many years ago and was amazed at how ALI would bob and weave his head to avoid jabs and punches....he was in such great shape then, dancing for all 12 rounds....He was not trying to kill his opponent, with Ali, it WAS a true sport.

Mildenberger caused Muhammad Ali powerful problems, after which Alis said after the fight, that Mildenberger was very strong and he would never want to box against Mildenberger again.

RIP the greatest Muhammad Ali

BOTH ALI AND KARL PASSED AWAY, ALMIGHTY BLESS YOU BOTH, THIS LIFE IS TEST FOR LIFE OF FOREVER,

Brilliant refereeing at the end. Ali also never wanted to knock a fighter's head off once he'd been stunned. Had that been Foreman or Tyson, Mildenberger would have been hit another three or four times.

Ali wasn’t the biggest puncher it was the accumulation of punches that always put guys away

Float like a Butterfly sting like a Bee!! The Greatest Muhamad Ali!!

in 1975,ali said this was one of his hardest fights.he put it around number four.....(before the thrilla in manila)he said his hardest fight was the first Liston fight.number two was his fight with Doug Jones.third was the first Frazier fight.he said this was a hard fight because.he had a hard time with mildenbergs south paw fighting style...I believe(since I read this a long time ago) he had the first norton fight as number five.then his fight with Oscar bonavena as sixth.he said he never really had an easy fight

Prime Ali 🙏🏾🙏🏾

It was a left hook that took Mildenberger down in the 8th. It wasn’t a straight right. Howard Cosell many times just didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. Ali was NEVER hurt in this fight!

I have been watching Ali the early Sixties until his death. He is undoubtedly the greatest and most scientific boxer ever in the heavyweight division. If I watch his fight a million times, I’m as exited as if I’m watching it for the first time. RIP CHAMP and thanks for the things you have stood for with strong convictions.

Ali in his physical prime. Lean, muscled, and dancing the entire fight.

31:28 and Karl took it like a man; amazing strength and character -this was Ali in his prime he was as facing.

All hail Ali king of the world.Please people,no one will ever top him ever.

Such a Beautiful fighter, and fast as a Cat ❤, good fight, lots of respect for Mildenberger.

Why do ppl try and say guys like cooper and mildenberger are slow? Yeah they were a bit smaller but I see nothing slow about the way either one of them move or throw punches. They may be smaller than modern heavyweights but not one modern heavy has comparable speed not even wilders hands or fury's feet. Being bigger comes at a cost to speed no doubt

no one could beat ali here in his prime, but mildenberger has to get credit for putting up a courageous fight.]

the fact that you was once able to keep that up for 15 rounds is amazing. he could have been a basketball star with that kind of stamina.

There will never be another Muhammad Ali?! The greatest of his generation.

in his era Ali was the best boxer in his prime hands down

Ali had the German out at end of the 8th - bell saved him 100%. Then Ali - as he often did - carried the fight. He was playing with these guys. This Ali beats every HW in history. His gas tank, movement, counters, ghost-like defence and chin are actually unbeatable IMO. He never stops for the WHOLE 12-15 rounds. That is what you are up against with a 60s Ali

Great ref for stopping it when he did. Mildenberger has amazing heart. I wish I could time travel back to when Ali was alive, one of the greatest who was ever was on the planet.

1966, I was six (6) years old during this fight of Ali and Mildenberger.

Ali defending on Wide World of Sports. I miss those days

Although Iron Mike Tyson is my favorite heavyweight and still today the most dangerous fighter to ever step in a boxing ring! Muhammad Ali will always remain the GOAT because of not only his skill in the ring but also his charisma outside of it! And to top all of those unmatched abilities he also was a true Humana Teri an standing up against the industrial war complex by refusing to fight in Vietnam during what should have been the prime of his career in pugilist history

Cosell's voice keeps getting louder every time the challenger hits Ali. It's as if that excites him more than Ali's lefts and rights. Ali's jabs are pointing him above Karl.

Mildenberger was quite a tough boxer. Certainly not the greatest opponent Ali had to face, but still admirable in defeat.

The US shot it's self in the foot when they banned Ali from boxing as he was the most respected man in their entire history .

Me and A buddy went to see this fight in Frankfurt! We got in a train crash and missed the damn fight. I'l never for get it! So much for that weekend pass LOL

That`s the firsth fight I`ve ever watched in my life. I was 5 years old at the time and don`t understand nothing. But I was togheter with my dad, late at night wich was very exiting to me.

Karl showed himself to be a real world class champ. Ali was just one of a kind.

رحمه الله عليه اللهم اجعل مأواه الجنه واجعل الفردوس مسكنه والحقه مع النبيين والصديقين والشهداء والصالحين وحسن أولئك رفيقا .

Ali was leaving them bloody on swollen and beat up.

Ali floored this guy three times in this fight, cut him up to a bloody mess and knocked him senseless and out on his feet. Stupid Cosell had the nerve to raise a question regarding the sheer punching power in Ali.

I remember reading in one of the boxing magazines back in the early 70's Ali quoted as saying that Karl Mildenberger was his toughest opponent.

El golpe de ali en el 38:52 es una obra de arte

Ali was always loved in Europe but especially by the United Kingdom. 🇺🇸 🇬🇧

Ali's stamina was tremendous af

ALI IS A WORLD CHAMP and nobody can beat HIM @ Boxing !!!

While not one of Ali's best performances, the ending was one of the best jobs of a referee stepping in at the right time...while not down yet, Mildenberger was clearly hurt and about to take serious damage if the referee not been on top of it 👏👏👏

No one can beat Ali on this earth. Great defensive technique by Ali

Heavyweight division was loaded with tough, talented, hard hitting fighters during the Ali era. The fact that Ali did not possess exceptional defensive skills, or punching power or seldom attacked the body of an opponent, is further tribute to his amazing ability.

2 knock down 1 knock-out The fight was finished. Ali winner ! Bildenberger was a good challenger. The video is perfect. Congratulations to the cameraman !

Great video. Cosell....vintage Ali...Sad to hear Joe Louis, a hero from another era, call Ali “Clay.” This was 1966.

Greatest Mohamed Ali!

Just viewed this artistic fight with my German shepherd

It will decades to get such a character Muhammad Ali

Hello! Thank you! 🙌😊🌐👍🎶🙌!