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Rocco Del Sesto · 02-19-2004, 10:19 PM

Gerhard Zech's 38th fight.... 1966-04-14 Hamburg, Germany

Gerhard Zech (35-1-1) vs Eddie Machen (47-6-3)

We're getting ready to fight here in the Schlachtof Halle in Hamburg, Germany! But first a littl rundown on Gerhard's tough opponent tonight........

Eddie Machen

50 wins / 11 losses / 3 draws / 29 KO

Hometown/Birthplace: Redding, CA

Eddie Machen, from 1955-57 had put together a 24-0-0,16KO record. Some of those early wins included over Howard King(39-29-8 lifetime), two against Nino Valdes, John Holman, Johnny Summerlin, two against Joey Maxim, Bob Baker and Tommy (Hurricane) Jackson. That Jackson fight, a 10th round TKO, left Machen along with Zora Folley regarded as the top 2 HW contenders in 58.

Then champion, Floyd Patterson was accused of ducking both Machen and Folley for title fights. Cus D'Amato, then Patterson's trainer and manager, finally consented to give the winner of a fight between Machen and Folley a shot at the champion. That fight was fought on April 9th, 1958. Unfortunately for both Machen and Folley, it ended in a 12 round draw! D'Amato then afterward argued that that elimated each other from contention to fight Patterson and thus Machen and Folley would have to wait a few more years to get a title fight, despite continuing to be rated high in the heavyweight rankings.

After the Folley fight, Machen lost by 1st round KO to Ingemar Johansson(20-0-0 at the time). Later fights included wins over Young Jack Johnson, two over Reuben Vargas, Willi Besmanoff, Alex Miteff, Wayne Bethea, Mike DeJohn, Brian London, Doug JOnes, Bert Whitehurst, Roger Rischer, Alonzo JOhnson, Dave Bailey. He lost decisions to Zora Folley, Sonny Liston, and LHW great Harold Johnson. In 1962 he drew 10 rounds with Cleveland Williams.

In July, 1964, Machen finally got his chance at Patterson, though not for a championship. The two fought a 12 round battle that Patterson was given the decision win. Despite the loss to Patterson, In March of 1965, Machen still highly ranked was given his shot a the Heavyweight Title, at least the WBA's part of it as he went against Ernie Terrell for the WBA's HW Title that they had taken away from Muhammad Ali after Ali had agreed to give Sonny Liston. Machen and Terrell fought a 15 round battle with Machen ending up on the short end of a UD.

The Patterson and Terrell losses were really the start of the downside of Machen's career as he went only 3-7-1. He did beat Joey Orbillo(10-0-1), Jerry Quarry and George (Scrap Iron) Johnson in successive fights in 1966. Those were sandwiched inbetween losses to Karl Mildenberger and Manuel Ramos and then losses to Joe Frazier, Henry Clark and Boone Kirkman to end his career.

Course we all pretty much know about Mr. Zech....so let's get ready for some Heavyweight Boxing!!

02-19-2004, 10:19 PM	#272
Rocco Del Sesto Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Watkinsville, Georgia Posts: 2,149	ZECH vs MACHEN Gerhard Zech's 38th fight.... 1966-04-14 Hamburg, Germany Gerhard Zech (35-1-1) vs Eddie Machen (47-6-3) We're getting ready to fight here in the Schlachtof Halle in Hamburg, Germany! But first a littl rundown on Gerhard's tough opponent tonight........ Eddie Machen 50 wins / 11 losses / 3 draws / 29 KO Hometown/Birthplace: Redding, CA Eddie Machen, from 1955-57 had put together a 24-0-0,16KO record. Some of those early wins included over Howard King(39-29-8 lifetime), two against Nino Valdes, John Holman, Johnny Summerlin, two against Joey Maxim, Bob Baker and Tommy (Hurricane) Jackson. That Jackson fight, a 10th round TKO, left Machen along with Zora Folley regarded as the top 2 HW contenders in 58. Then champion, Floyd Patterson was accused of ducking both Machen and Folley for title fights. Cus D'Amato, then Patterson's trainer and manager, finally consented to give the winner of a fight between Machen and Folley a shot at the champion. That fight was fought on April 9th, 1958. Unfortunately for both Machen and Folley, it ended in a 12 round draw! D'Amato then afterward argued that that elimated each other from contention to fight Patterson and thus Machen and Folley would have to wait a few more years to get a title fight, despite continuing to be rated high in the heavyweight rankings. After the Folley fight, Machen lost by 1st round KO to Ingemar Johansson(20-0-0 at the time). Later fights included wins over Young Jack Johnson, two over Reuben Vargas, Willi Besmanoff, Alex Miteff, Wayne Bethea, Mike DeJohn, Brian London, Doug JOnes, Bert Whitehurst, Roger Rischer, Alonzo JOhnson, Dave Bailey. He lost decisions to Zora Folley, Sonny Liston, and LHW great Harold Johnson. In 1962 he drew 10 rounds with Cleveland Williams. In July, 1964, Machen finally got his chance at Patterson, though not for a championship. The two fought a 12 round battle that Patterson was given the decision win. Despite the loss to Patterson, In March of 1965, Machen still highly ranked was given his shot a the Heavyweight Title, at least the WBA's part of it as he went against Ernie Terrell for the WBA's HW Title that they had taken away from Muhammad Ali after Ali had agreed to give Sonny Liston. Machen and Terrell fought a 15 round battle with Machen ending up on the short end of a UD. The Patterson and Terrell losses were really the start of the downside of Machen's career as he went only 3-7-1. He did beat Joey Orbillo(10-0-1), Jerry Quarry and George (Scrap Iron) Johnson in successive fights in 1966. Those were sandwiched inbetween losses to Karl Mildenberger and Manuel Ramos and then losses to Joe Frazier, Henry Clark and Boone Kirkman to end his career. Course we all pretty much know about Mr. Zech....so let's get ready for some Heavyweight Boxing!!