Joey Maxim

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Joseph Maxim
File:JoeyMaxim.jpg
Statistics
Real name Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli
Rated at Light heavyweight
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
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Nationality American
Born (1922-03-28)March 28, 1922
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
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West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 115
Wins 82
Wins by KO 21
Losses 29
Draws 4
No contests 0

Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli (March 28, 1922 – June 2, 2001) was an American professional boxer. He was a Light Heavyweight Champion of the World. He took the ring-name Joey Maxim from the Maxim gun, the world's first self-acting machine gun, based on his ability to rapidly throw a large number of left jabs.

Early career

Maxim was born in Cleveland, Ohio. He learned to box at a very young age. Following a successful amateur career, during which he won the Golden Gloves, he turned professional in 1940. He boxed fairly regularly at exhibitions during the war years whilst serving as a military police officer at Miami Beach, Florida.

Maxim becomes world champion

It is somewhat surprising that Maxim had to wait so long for a world title shot, he was 28 and had already fought 87 times as a professional, considering his undoubted ability. His chance came on January 24, 1950, against British boxer Freddie Mills, who was making his first defense, at London's Earl's Court Exhibition Centre. Maxim, very much the underdog against the popular Englishman, won the fight by knockout in the 10th round. After the fight three of Mills's teeth were found embedded in Maxim's left glove, Mills never fought again.

Maxim's next major fight was on May 30, 1951, when he made a bid for Ezzard Charles's world heavyweight title. Maxim was unsuccessful, losing on points.

June 25, 1952: Joey Maxim vs. Sugar Ray Robinson

The most famous fight of Maxim's career was on June 25, 1952, when he made his second defense of his light heavyweight crown, against Sugar Ray Robinson at Yankee Stadium. The fight had originally been scheduled for June 23, but was postponed due to torrential rain. By the time the fight took place New York was in the midst of a record heat wave.

During the fight Robinson built up a large points lead over the champion, although Maxim began to come on later in the fight. Robinson gradually succumbed to hyperthermia and Maxim's harder punches. He collapsed to the canvas at the end of the 13th round, but managed to stagger back to his corner. However, Robinson failed to answer the bell at the start of the 14th, even though he only had to remain on his feet to win the fight and Maxim won by a technical knockout. This was the only time that Robinson was stopped in his 201-fight career.

By this time the original referee, Ruby Goldstein, had himself been forced to retire from the fight after collapsing into the ropes complaining that he could no longer continue. This meant that a substitute referee, Ray Miller, had to be called out to finish the fight. Goldstein and Robinson were not the only people who had to be stretchered from the stadium: several dozen spectators also collapsed during the fight. Between them, the two fighters lost over 20 pounds in weight during the fight.

Late career

Despite winning, the Robinson fight took a heavy toll on Maxim. He lost his world title six months later to the veteran Archie Moore. Following this loss Maxim, formerly one of the division's most active fighters, fought only 14 fights in the remaining 6 years of his career. These fights included two rematches with "The Old Mongoose" Archie Moore, both of which Maxim lost. Maxim retired in 1958 after losing six consecutive fights.

Maxim retired with a record of 82 wins (21 by KO), 29 losses, and 4 draws; in his 115 fight career, he was knocked out only once. During his career he defeated such legendary figures as Jersey Joe Walcott, Jimmy Bivins, and Floyd Patterson.

Life after boxing

"Goldilocks and the Three Bares" poster

After his retirement Maxim spent time as a stand-up comic, restaurateur, and taxi driver. He also served as a greeter at hotels and casinos located in Las Vegas.[1]

He appeared in Herschell Gordon Lewis's 1963 nudie-cutie Goldilocks and the Three Bares as himself, playing a nightclub owner. The movie was billed as the "first nudist musical." He was prominently featured on the movie poster, with the blurb:

"It's me...Joey Maxim, the former world's light heavyweight champion! I'm one of the stars! My first screen appearance."

The role did not lead to any more motion picture work, though he did appear as an extra in the 1999 film Play It to the Bone.

He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994.

Maxim's wife Michelina, with whom he had two daughters, died in 1977.

In February 2001, Maxim suffered a stroke. He died in West Palm Beach, Florida on 2 June 2001.[2] In addition to his daughters, he was survived by his mother, Henrietta Berardinelli, who was 97 years old (died at 101 in 2006), and six great-grandchildren.[3]

References

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Professional boxing record

82 Wins (21 knockouts, 61 decisions), 29 Losses (1 knockout, 27 decisions, 1 DQ), 4 Draws [1]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 10-1 Germany Ulli Ritter PTS 10 17/05/1958 Germany Eisstadion am Friedrichspark, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg
Loss 16-0 Italy Giacomo Bozzano PTS 10 27/04/1958 Italy Milan, Lombardy
Loss 41-7-7 Germany Heinz Neuhaus PTS 10 12/04/1958 Germany Killesbergpark, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg
Loss 71-9 United States Bobo Olson SD 10 18/06/1957 United States Portland Auditorium, Portland, Oregon 56-54, 52.5-57.5, 54-56.
Loss 20-0 United States Eddie Machen UD 10 03/05/1957 United States Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
Loss 19-0 United States Eddie Machen UD 10 25/01/1957 Germany Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida 94-98, 93-97, 90-99.
Win 8-3 Argentina Edgardo Romero PTS 10 29/09/1956 Canada Vancouver, British Columbia
Loss 29-4-4 United States Willie Pastrano UD 10 28/06/1955 United States New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana 4-5, 4-5, 3-6.
Loss 68-6 United States Bobo Olson UD 10 13/04/1955 United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California 50.5-59.5, 50-60, 48-62.
Win 28-3 United States Paul Andrews UD 10 24/11/1954 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois 98-96, 99-93, 96-95.
Win 13-0 United States Floyd Patterson UD 8 07/06/1954 United States Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 4-3, 7-1, 5-3.
Loss 142-19-8 United States Archie Moore UD 15 27/01/1954 United States Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida World Light Heavyweight Title. 145-137, 148-135, 148-134.
Loss 139-19-8 United States Archie Moore UD 15 24/06/1953 United States Ogden Stadium, Ogden, Utah World Light Heavyweight Title. 6-7, 7-8, 5-8.
Win 44-8-4 United States Danny Nardico UD 10 04/03/1953 United States Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida 97-91, 95-94, 98-94.
Loss 132-19-8 United States Archie Moore UD 15 17/12/1952 United States Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri World Light Heavyweight Title. 74-76, 58-82, 63-87.
Win 131-2-2 United States Sugar Ray Robinson TKO 14 25/06/1952 United States The House that Ruth Built, Bronx, New York World Light Heavyweight Title. Robinson did not come out for the 14th round due to heat exhaustion.
Win 64-63-10 United States Ted Lowry UD 10 06/03/1952 United States Saint Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Loss 70-6-1 United States Ezzard Charles UD 12 12/12/1951 United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California 64.5-67.5, 63.5-68.5, 62-70.
Win 60-5-1 United States Irish Bob Murphy UD 15 22/08/1951 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City World Light Heavyweight Title. 10-3, 10-5, 10-5.
Loss 68-5-1 United States Ezzard Charles UD 15 30/05/1951 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois World Heavyweight Title. 72-78, 65-85, 65-85.
Win 15-20-3 United States Hubert Hood KO 3 27/01/1951 United States Indianapolis Naval Reserve Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana Hood knocked out at 0:40 of the third round.
Win 28-7-1 United States Dave Whitlock KO 4 11/12/1950 United States Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California Whitlock knocked out at 2:37 of the fourth round.
Win 14-21-2 United States Big Boy Brown UD 10 22/11/1950 United States Wharton Field House, Moline, Illinois
Win 52-36-8 United States Bill Petersen PTS 10 10/10/1950 United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah
Win 16-10-1 United States Jackie Swanson KO 3 25/09/1950 United States Radio Center Arena, Huntington, West Virginia Swanson knocked out at 2:35 of the third round.
Win 51-35-8 United States Bill Petersen KO 6 12/05/1950 United States Memphis, Tennessee Petersen knocked out at 1:22 of the sixth round.
Win 3-4 United States Joe Dawson KO 2 19/04/1950 United States Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska Dawson knocked out at 1:18 of the second round.
Win 77-17-6 United Kingdom Freddie Mills KO 10 24/01/1950 United Kingdom Empress Hall, Earl's Court, Kensington, London World Light Heavyweight Title.
Win 50-31-8 United States Bill Petersen PTS 10 09/12/1949 United States Grand Rapids, Michigan
Win 67-6 United States Pat McCafferty TKO 4 30/11/1949 United States Wichita, Kansas
Win 44-10-5 United States Joe Kahut TKO 5 25/10/1949 United States Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio
Win 60-12-5 United States Gus Lesnevich UD 15 23/05/1949 United States Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio NBA American Light Heavyweight Title.
Loss 59-5-1 United States Ezzard Charles MD 15 28/02/1949 United States Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio
Win 67-13-1 United States Jimmy Bivins SD 10 07/12/1948 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio 4-6, 5-4, 5-4.
Win 20-6-2 United States Bob Satterfield UD 10 12/11/1948 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Loss 40-7-4 United States Joe Kahut SD 15 19/10/1948 United States Auditorium, Portland, Oregon 87-78, 80.5-84.5, 79-86.
Win 47-26-7 United States Bill Petersen UD 10 28/09/1948 United States Auditorium, Portland, Oregon Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Title.
Win 45-25-7 United States Bill Petersen UD 10 29/06/1948 United States Seattle Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington Jack Dempsey refereed the bout.
Win 39-6-4 United States Joe Kahut UD 10 22/06/1948 United States Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
Draw 41-10-3 United States Pat Valentino PTS 10 07/06/1948 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 17-4-3 United States Roy "Fighting Hawk" Hawkins PTS 10 27/05/1948 United States Tacoma Ice Palace, Tacoma, Washington
Win 16-12-4 Mexico Francisco de la Cruz PTS 10 07/05/1948 United States El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
Win 5-6-1 United States Whitey Berlier PTS 10 27/04/1948 United States Houston, Texas
Draw 41-9-2 United States Pat Valentino PTS 10 22/03/1948 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 31-4-1 United States Tony Bosnich UD 10 13/02/1948 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 42-8-1 United States Robert Lee Sikes, Jr. PTS 10 02/02/1948 United States Barton Coliseum, Little Rock, Arkansas
Win 18-4-1 Sweden Olle Tandberg SD 10 09/01/1948 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City 7-3, 7-3, 4-5.
Win 26-3-2 United States Billy "Chicken" Thompson UD 10 08/12/1947 United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 15-1 United States Bob Foxworth SD 10 12/11/1947 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 25-19-1 United States John Thomas PTS 10 17/09/1947 United States Cleveland, Ohio
Win 19-16-2 United States Clarence Jones KO 5 08/09/1947 United States Wheeling Island Stadium, Wheeling, West Virginia Jones knocked out at 2:47 of the fifth round.
Loss 43-11-2 United States Jersey Joe Walcott SD 10 23/06/1947 United States Gilmore Field, Los Angeles, California 52.5-55.5, 53-55, 55-53.
Win 21-31-7 United States Charley Roth KO 4 12/05/1947 United States Louisville, Kentucky
Win 30-7-3 United States Marty Clark TKO 7 28/01/1947 United States Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
Loss 41-11-2 United States Jersey Joe Walcott MD 10 06/01/1947 United States Philadelphia Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio 5-5, 4-6, 3-6.
Win 29-30-5 United States Jack Marshall PTS 10 17/12/1946 United States Houston, Texas
Win 26-1 United States Dolph Quijano PTS 10 12/12/1946 United States El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
Win 53-16-4 United States "Irish" Jimmy Webb TKO 6 03/12/1946 United States Houston, Texas
Draw 6-0 United States Jimmy Richie PTS 10 12/11/1946 United States Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri
Win 4-37-1 United States Bearcat Jones KO 5 16/10/1946 United States Rollercade, Toledo, Ohio
Win 19-12-2 United States Clarence Jones PTS 10 10/10/1946 United States Akron Armory, Akron, Ohio
Win 41-9-2 United States Jersey Joe Walcott PTS 10 28/08/1946 United States Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey 5-3.
Win 31-47-2 United States Henry Cooper PTS 10 14/08/1946 United States Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois
Win 36-12 United States Phil Muscato UD 10 02/08/1946 United States Red Wing Stadium, Rochester, New York
Win 36-10 United States Phil Muscato SD 12 14/05/1946 United States Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York 5-7, 7-5, 6-6.
Draw 29-23-6 United States Charley Eagle PTS 10 07/05/1946 United States Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York 5-5, 5-5, 5-5.
Loss 34-10 United States Phil Muscato UD 10 09/04/1946 United States Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York 4-6, 4-6, 5-5.
Win 70-22-5 United States Buddy Walker UD 10 01/04/1946 United States Baltimore Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland
Win 50-13-3 United States Ralph DeJohn TKO 1 27/03/1946 United States Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York DeJohn broke his arm during the fight.
Loss 21-13-1 United States John Thomas PTS 10 11/03/1946 United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City
Win 7-2 United States Panther Williams UD 10 04/03/1946 United States Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan
Win 5-15-2 United States Cleo Everett UD 10 26/11/1945 United States Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan
Win 19-14-5 United States Clarence Brown UD 10 16/04/1945 United States Arcadia Gardens, Detroit, Michigan
Win 6-0 United States Johnny Flanagan PTS 8 02/02/1945 United States Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
Loss 24-20-2 United States John Kowalczyk SD 10 19/12/1944 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Loss 50-11-3 United States Lloyd Marshall UD 10 27/07/1944 United States Lakefront Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Win 22-6-5 United States Frank Androff PTS 8 26/06/1944 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win 25-6-2 United States Bob Garner PTS 10 29/05/1944 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win 60-14-5 United States Buddy Walker UD 10 28/04/1944 United States Detroit, Michigan
Win 8-7-2 United States George Parks PTS 10 31/01/1944 United States Turner's Arena, Washington, District of Columbia
Win 21-22-3 Spain Claudio Villar TKO 6 01/12/1943 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Win 68-15-5 United States Buddy Scott PTS 10 29/10/1943 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 46-17-4 United States Nate Bolden PTS 10 09/08/1943 United States Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
Win 4-1-1 United States Al Jordan PTS 10 26/04/1943 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win 20-13 United States Curtis Sheppard UD 10 31/03/1943 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Loss 19-13 United States Curtis Sheppard KO 1 10/03/1943 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio Maxim knocked out at 0:51 of the first round.
Win 11-8-5 United States Clarence Brown PTS 10 15/02/1943 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 11-7-5 United States Clarence Brown PTS 8 18/01/1943 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Loss 27-2-1 United States Ezzard Charles UD 10 01/12/1942 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Loss 26-2-1 United States Ezzard Charles UD 10 27/10/1942 United States Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Win 42-10-3 United States Larry Lane PTS 10 13/10/1942 United States Akron Armory, Akron, Ohio
Win -- United States Hubert Hood UD 10 05/10/1942 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win 6-0 United States Shelton Bell PTS 10 22/09/1942 United States Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania
Win 24-12-5 United States Jack Marshall KO 9 27/08/1942 United States Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois
Loss 16-7-1 United States Altus Allen MD 10 10/08/1942 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois 47-53, 47-53, 50-50.
Win 18-11 United States Curtis Sheppard PTS 10 27/07/1942 United States Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Win 19-3 United States Lou Brooks SD 10 10/07/1942 United States Wilmington Park, Wilmington, Delaware
Loss 26-5 United States Jimmy Bivins SD 10 23/06/1942 United States Lakefront Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Win 5-8-3 United States Charley Roth KO 4 01/06/1942 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Loss 4-8-3 United States Charley Roth DQ 2 11/05/1942 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois Maxim disqualified for hitting Roth while he was down.
Win 6-10-1 United States Frank Greene KO 2 20/04/1942 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois Greene knocked out at 2:06 of the second round.
Win 16-2 United States Lou Brooks SD 10 23/03/1942 United States Baltimore Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland
Win 49-14-1 United States Herbie Katz KO 6 11/03/1942 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Loss 16-1 United States Booker Beckwith UD 10 16/01/1942 United States Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
Win 76-19-1 United States Red Burman PTS 10 01/12/1941 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Win 18-10-1 Canada Oliver Shanks KO 5 27/10/1941 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois Shanks knocked out at 2:49 of the fifth round.
Win 14-3-1 United States Bill Petersen UD 10 06/10/1941 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win 29-10-3 United States Nate Bolden UD 10 15/09/1941 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win 10-8-1 United States Lee Oma PTS 8 11/08/1941 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win 5-4-2 United States Johnny Trotter PTS 8 28/07/1941 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win -- United States Tony Paoli PTS 10 11/07/1941 United States Sportsman's Park, Cleveland, Ohio
Win 5-4 United States "Irish" Bobby Berry PTS 6 29/04/1941 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Loss 17-5-2 United States Orlando Trotter SD 8 17/02/1941 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win 3-0 United States Frank McBride UD 8 27/01/1941 United States Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
Win 3-1 United States "Irish" Bobby Berry PTS 4 13/01/1941 United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

External links

Achievements
Preceded by World Light Heavyweight Champion
24 January 1950 –17 December 1952
Succeeded by
Archie Moore