Ingemar Johansson

v.

Eddie Machen

14 September 1958

Gothenburg, Sweden

Let there be no doubt, the arrival of Ingemar Johansson on the Swedish boxing scene has certainly put the city of Gothenburg on the map in no mean fashion. Promotor Ahlqvist welcomced over 50,000 avid boxing fans to the ultra modern Ullevi Stadium when he pitted handsome Ingo against highly-touted Eddie Machen, the Ring No. 2 heavyweight. This broke the previous attendance record of 45,000 registered at the Walcott-Tandberg fracas some years ago.

Ingemar entered the ring as cool as ice. Machen on the other hand appeared nervous and anxious to get cracking. The Lion of the North scaled 198 and his opponent 194.

When the gong sounded, Machen made no hell-fire attack. He boxed with elegant precision and seemed to have the answer to Ingo's every move. Johansson, however remained calm, supremely confident in the Thor's Hammer reposing inside his right glove. He led with a left then suddenly smashed over that stunning right to the side of Machen's jaw. Down went the American as if pole-axed, only to rise at the count of "8".

The Swedish Lion pressed home his advantage with commendable speed. Another smashing right hooked Machen's legs from under him and he was now so shaken that he jumped up a "6". He grappled vainly with Johansson trying to hang on until the bell but the Swede staved his man off and subjected him to a tremendous belting in his own corner. Finally amid a colossal roar from the crowd, Machen slithered to the canvas, utterly vanquished, after 2 minutes 16 seconds of fighting. There has never been such a moment in Sweden's boxing history and the crowd went frantic in its acclaim as Johansson was declared winner and thereby one of the leading challengers for the World Title.

-Charlie Parish. European Gossip. The Ring. December 1958

Vintage Original On-Site Programme

Price: $ 85.00

Size: 8 1/4 X 11 5/8 inches. 18 pp.

Condition: Fine

2000-6065

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