FIGHTLINE BY DOUG FISCHER
Fights only last a matter of minutes, but fighters are connected to each other by chains that extend for decades – even centuries – into the past. Their bond is a lineage built face-to-face: A young prospect struggles with the skills of an aging veteran whose nose was once broken by a fighter now enshrined in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In that way, muscle memory carries knowledge and boxers face a piece of everyone their opponent has fought, everyone those people fought, and so on. This month, we’re linking European heavyweight southpaws – one shared the ring with Muhammad Ali; the other shares a birthday with The Greatest – former contender Karl Mildenberger and reigning Ring champion Oleksandr Usyk . Mildenberger was a Europe-level standout during the 1960s and best known for his 1966 bout against Ali, which was the first time a southpaw challenged for the heavyweight title. Well conditioned, tough and very awkward, his pesky style troubled Ali until Mildenberger eventually succumbed to the American star in the 12th round. Born in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Mildenberger turned pro in late 1958 and quickly gained a national following by fighting – and winning – often. He stormed to a 30-1 record in the span of 40 months – which included 10-round decisions over former contender Wayne Bethea and former title challenger Pete Rademacher – before challenging Welsh veteran Dick Richardson for the European title in February 1962. Mildenberger suffered an ignominious
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ALI TKO 12 MILDENBERGER SEPTEMBER 10, 1966
ALI KO 8 FOREMAN OCTOBER 30, 1974
KO in the opening round after eating a right cross 2:35 into the bout. However, he earned his eventual shot at Ali by going unbeaten in 22 bouts over the next four years. During this period, he won the European title, which he held for four years, and scored 10-round decisions over Ring-rated Eddie Machen and fringe contender Amos “Big Train” Lincoln, as well as a 10-round draw with respected veteran Zora Folley. He lost to ’60s stalwarts Oscar Bonavena, Leotis Martin and Henry Cooper in three of his last four bouts before retiring in 1968 with a 53-6-3 (19 KOs) record. While Mildenberger brushed with greatness, Usyk achieved it – in just 25 professional bouts. Among the most versatile and courageous elite boxers of the 21st century, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist won his first world title (the WBO cruiserweight belt) in his 10th pro bout (a division record) in 2016. Usyk was crowned undisputed champion two years later, an accomplishment that earned him The Ring’s 2018 Fighter of the Year award. The Ukrainian conqueror set his sights on the heavyweight division in 2019 and unified all of the major belts within six bouts to claim his second undisputed championship, a remarkable achievement that made him an easy choice for 2024 Fighter of the Year. The list of the world titleholders Usyk has defeated reads like a who’s who of the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions: Krzysztof Glowacki, Marco Huck, Mairis Briedis, Murat Gassiev, Tony Bellew, Anthony Joshua (twice), Daniel Dubois (twice) and Tyson Fury (twice). Most of these title bouts, as well as other notable victories, took place in the home countries of his opponents. It’s been a hard road to glory for Usyk, and the journey has taken its toll. The 39-year-old veteran had to dig deep to stop kickboxing legend Rico Verhoeven in May, a sign that he’s nearing the end of what will be a Hall of Fame career. His final bout is expected to take place this year. There are multiple paths linking Mildenberger and Usyk, whose primes are separated by half a century, but we found a Fightline that connects them with six boxers. Can you find a faster route?
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HOLYFIELD UD 12 FOREMAN APRIL 19, 1991
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IBRAGIMOV UD 12 HOLYFIELD OCTOBER 13, 2007
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KLITSCHKO UD 12 IBRAGIMOV FEBRUARY 23, 2008
FURY UD 12 KLITSCHKO NOVEMBER 28, 2015
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USYK SD 12 FURY MAY 18, 2024
If so, or if you have another Fightline you’d like to submit, send it to comeoutwriting@gmail.com. And remember, some fighters can be linked on paper by jumping forward and backward in time, but to be a true lineage, the fights must come in chronological order.
96 RINGMAGAZINE.COM
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