Joey Maxim

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Joseph Maxim
Joey Maxim in 1952
Born
Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli

(1922-03-28)March 28, 1922
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJune 2, 2001(2001-06-02) (aged 79)
West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Reach72+1⁄2 in (184 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights116
Wins83
Wins by KO22
Losses29
Draws4
No contests0

Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli (March 28, 1922 – June 2, 2001) was an American professional boxer. He was a World Light Heavyweight Champion. 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 life[edit]

Maxim was born and raised in Collinwood, a neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio.[citation needed]

Career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Maxim 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. Maxim boxed fairly regularly at exhibitions during the war years while serving as a military police officer at Miami Beach, Florida.

Maxim becomes world champion[edit]

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[edit]

The most famous fight of Maxim's career was on June 25, 1952, when he made his second defense of his world 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 City 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 200 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[edit]

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, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Floyd Patterson.

Life after boxing[edit]

"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 June 2, 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]

Professional boxing record[edit]

115 fights 82 wins 29 losses
By knockout 21 1
By decision 61 27
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 4
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
115 Loss 83–28–4 Ulli Ritter PTS 10 May 17, 1958 Eisstadion am Friedrichspark, Mannheim, Baden-Württemberg
114 Loss 83–27–4 Giacomo Bozzano PTS 10 Apr 27, 1958 Milan, Lombardy
113 Loss 83–26–4 Heinz Neuhaus PTS 10 Apr 12, 1958 Killesbergpark, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg
112 Loss 83–25–4 Bobo Olson SD 10 Jun 18, 1957 Portland Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
111 Loss 83–24–4 Eddie Machen UD 10 May 3, 1957 Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky
110 Loss 83–23–4 Eddie Machen UD 10 Jan 25, 1957 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
109 Win 83–22–4 Edgardo Romero PTS 10 Sep 29, 1956 Vancouver, British Columbia
108 Loss 82–22–4 Willie Pastrano UD 10 Jun 28, 1955 New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana
107 Loss 82–21–4 Bobo Olson UD 10 Apr 13, 1955 Cow Palace, Daly City, California
106 Win 82–20–4 Paul Andrews UD 10 Nov 24, 1954 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
105 Win 81–20–4 Floyd Patterson UD 8 Jun 7, 1954 Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York
104 Loss 80–20–4 Archie Moore UD 15 Jan 27, 1954 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
103 Loss 80–19–4 Archie Moore UD 15 Jun 24, 1953 Ogden Stadium, Ogden, Utah For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
102 Win 80–18–4 Danny Nardico UD 10 Mar 4, 1953 Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida
101 Loss 79–18–4 Archie Moore UD 15 Dec 17, 1952 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri Lost NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
100 Win 79–17–4 Sugar Ray Robinson RTD 14 Jun 25, 1952 Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
99 Win 78–17–4 Ted Lowry UD 10 Mar 6, 1952 Saint Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
98 Loss 77–17–4 Ezzard Charles UD 12 Dec 12, 1951 Cow Palace, Daly City, California
97 Win 77–16–4 Irish Bob Murphy UD 15 Aug 22, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York City Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
96 Loss 76–16–4 Ezzard Charles UD 15 May 30, 1951 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois For NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
95 Win 76–15–4 Hubert Hood KO 3 Jan 27, 1951 Indianapolis Naval Reserve Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana
94 Win 75–15–4 Dave Whitlock KO 4 Dec 11, 1950 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California
93 Win 74–15–4 Big Boy Brown UD 10 Nov 22, 1950 Wharton Field House, Moline, Illinois
92 Win 73–15–4 Bill Petersen PTS 10 Oct 10, 1950 Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah
91 Win 72–15–4 Jackie Swanson KO 3 Sep 25, 1950 Radio Center Arena, Huntington, West Virginia
90 Win 71–15–4 Bill Petersen KO 6 May 12, 1950 Memphis, Tennessee
89 Win 70–15–4 Joe Dawson KO 2 Apr 19, 1950 Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska
88 Win 69–15–4 Freddie Mills KO 10 Jan 24, 1950 Empress Hall, Earl's Court, Kensington, London Won NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
87 Win 68–15–4 Bill Petersen PTS 10 Dec 9, 1949 Grand Rapids, Michigan
86 Win 67–15–4 Pat McCafferty TKO 4 Nov 30, 1949 Wichita, Kansas
85 Win 66–15–4 Joe Kahut TKO 5 Oct 25, 1949 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio
84 Win 65–15–4 Gus Lesnevich UD 15 May 23, 1949 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio Won NBA American light heavyweight title
83 Loss 64–15–4 Ezzard Charles MD 15 Feb 28, 1949 Cincinnati Gardens, Cincinnati, Ohio
82 Win 64–14–4 Jimmy Bivins SD 10 Dec 7, 1948 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
81 Win 63–14–4 Bob Satterfield UD 10 Nov 12, 1948 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
80 Loss 62–14–4 Joe Kahut SD 15 Oct 19, 1948 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
79 Win 62–13–4 Bill Petersen UD 10 Sep 28, 1948 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon Won Pacific Northwest heavyweight title
78 Win 61–13–4 Bill Petersen UD 10 Jun 29, 1948 Seattle Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
77 Win 60–13–4 Joe Kahut UD 10 Jun 22, 1948 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
76 Draw 59–13–4 Pat Valentino PTS 10 Jun 7, 1948 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
75 Win 59–13–3 Roy Hawkins PTS 10 May 27, 1948 Tacoma Ice Palace, Tacoma, Washington
74 Win 58–13–3 Francisco de la Cruz PTS 10 May 7, 1948 El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
73 Win 57–13–3 Whitey Berlier PTS 10 Apr 27, 1948 Houston, Texas
72 Draw 56–13–3 Pat Valentino PTS 10 Mar 22, 1948 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
71 Win 56–13–2 Tony Bosnich UD 10 Feb 13, 1948 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
70 Win 55–13–2 Robert Lee Sikes Jr. PTS 10 Feb 2, 1948 Barton Coliseum, Little Rock, Arkansas
69 Win 54–13–2 Olle Tandberg SD 10 Jan 9, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York City
68 Win 53–13–2 Billy "Chicken" Thompson UD 10 Dec 8, 1947 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
67 Win 52–13–2 Bob Foxworth SD 10 Nov 12, 1947 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
66 Win 51–13–2 John Thomas PTS 10 Sep 17, 1947 Cleveland, Ohio
65 Win 50–13–2 Clarence Jones KO 5 Sep 8, 1947 Wheeling Island Stadium, Wheeling, West Virginia
64 Loss 49–13–2 Jersey Joe Walcott SD 10 Jun 23, 1947 Gilmore Field, Los Angeles, California
63 Win 49–12–2 Charley Roth KO 4 May 12, 1947 Louisville, Kentucky
62 Win 48–12–2 Marty Clark TKO 7 Jan 28, 1947 Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida
61 Loss 47–12–2 Jersey Joe Walcott MD 10 Jan 6, 1947 Philadelphia Convention Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
60 Win 47–11–2 Jack Marshall PTS 10 Dec 17, 1946 Houston, Texas
59 Win 46–11–2 Dolph Quijano PTS 10 Dec 12, 1946 El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
58 Win 45–11–2 Jimmy Webb TKO 6 Dec 3, 1946 Houston, Texas
57 Draw 44–11–2 Jimmy Richie PTS 10 Nov 12, 1946 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri
56 Win 44–11–1 Bearcat Jones KO 5 Oct 16, 1946 Rollercade, Toledo, Ohio
55 Win 43–11–1 Clarence Jones PTS 10 Oct 10, 1946 Akron Armory, Akron, Ohio
54 Win 42–11–1 Jersey Joe Walcott PTS 10 Aug 28, 1946 Public Service Ball Park, Camden, New Jersey
53 Win 41–11–1 Henry Cooper PTS 10 Aug 14, 1946 Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois
52 Win 40–11–1 Phil Muscato UD 10 Aug 2, 1946 Red Wing Stadium, Rochester, New York
51 Win 39–11–1 Phil Muscato SD 12 May 14, 1946 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York
50 Draw 38–11–1 Charley Eagle PTS 10 May 7, 1946 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York
49 Loss 38–11 Phil Muscato UD 10 Apr 9, 1946 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York
48 Win 38–10 Buddy Walker UD 10 Apr 1, 1946 Baltimore Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland
47 Win 37–10 Ralph DeJohn TKO 1 Mar 27, 1946 Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York DeJohn broke his arm during the fight.
46 Loss 36–10 John Thomas PTS 10 Mar 11, 1946 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City
45 Win 36–9 Panther Williams UD 10 Mar 4, 1946 Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan
44 Win 35–9 Cleo Everett UD 10 Nov 26, 1945 Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan
43 Win 34–9 Clarence Brown UD 10 Apr 16, 1945 Arcadia Gardens, Detroit, Michigan
42 Win 33–9 Johnny Flanagan PTS 8 Feb 2, 1945 Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
41 Loss 32–9 John Kowalczyk SD 10 Dec 19, 1944 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
40 Loss 32–8 Lloyd Marshall UD 10 Jul 27, 1944 Lakefront Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
39 Win 31–8 Frank Androff PTS 8 Jun 26, 1944 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
38 Win 30–8 Bob Garner PTS 10 May 29, 1944 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
37 Win 29–8 Buddy Walker UD 10 Apr 28, 1944 Detroit, Michigan
36 Win 28–8 George Parks PTS 10 Jan 31, 1944 Turner's Arena, Washington, District of Columbia
35 Win 27–8 Claudio Villar TKO 6 Dec 1, 1943 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
34 Win 26–8 Buddy Scott PTS 10 Oct 29, 1943 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
33 Win 25–8 Nate Bolden PTS 10 Aug 9, 1943 Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
32 Win 24–8 Al Jordan PTS 10 Apr 26, 1943 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
31 Win 23–8 Curtis Sheppard UD 10 Mar 31, 1943 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
30 Loss 22–8 Curtis Sheppard KO 1 Mar 10, 1943 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
29 Win 22–7 Clarence Brown PTS 10 Feb 15, 1943 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
28 Win 21–7 Clarence Brown PTS 8 Jan 18, 1943 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
27 Loss 20–7 Ezzard Charles UD 10 Dec 1, 1942 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
26 Loss 20–6 Ezzard Charles UD 10 Oct 27, 1942 Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
25 Win 20–5 Larry Lane PTS 10 Oct 13, 1942 Akron Armory, Akron, Ohio
24 Win 19–5 Hubert Hood UD 10 Oct 5, 1942 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
23 Win 18–5 Shelton Bell PTS 10 Sep 22, 1942 Hickey Park, Millvale, Pennsylvania
22 Win 17–5 Jack Marshall KO 9 Aug 27, 1942 Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois
21 Loss 16–5 Altus Allen MD 10 Aug 10, 1942 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
20 Win 16–4 Curtis Sheppard PTS 10 Jul 27, 1942 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
19 Win 15–4 Lou Brooks SD 10 Jul 10, 1942 Wilmington Park, Wilmington, Delaware
18 Loss 14–4 Jimmy Bivins SD 10 Jun 23, 1942 Lakefront Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
17 Win 14–3 Charley Roth KO 4 Jun 1, 1942 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
16 Loss 13–3 Charley Roth DQ 2 May 11, 1942 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois Maxim disqualified for hitting Roth while he was down.
15 Win 13–2 Frank Greene KO 2 Apr 20, 1942 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
14 Win 12–2 Lou Brooks SD 10 Mar 23, 1942 Baltimore Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland
13 Win 11–2 Herbie Katz KO 6 Mar 11, 1942 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
12 Loss 10–2 Booker Beckwith UD 10 Jan 16, 1942 Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois
11 Win 10–1 Red Burman PTS 10 Dec 1, 1941 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
10 Win 9–1 Oliver Shanks KO 5 Oct 27, 1941 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
9 Win 8–1 Bill Petersen UD 10 Oct 6, 1941 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
8 Win 7–1 Nate Bolden UD 10 Sep 15, 1941 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
7 Win 6–1 Lee Oma PTS 8 Aug 11, 1941 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
6 Win 5–1 Johnny Trotter PTS 8 Jul 28, 1941 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
5 Win 4–1 Tony Paoli PTS 10 Jul 11, 1941 Sportsman's Park, Cleveland, Ohio
4 Win 3–1 Bobby Berry PTS 6 Apr 29, 1941 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
3 Loss 2–1 Orlando Trotter SD 8 Feb 17, 1941 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
2 Win 2–0 Frank McBride UD 8 Jan 27, 1941 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois
1 Win 1–0 Bobby Berry PTS 4 Jan 13, 1941 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Hall of Famer Joey Maxim dies aged 79". SecondsOut. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  2. ^ "Joey Maxim". Telegraph UK. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  3. ^ "Hall of Famer Joey Maxim dies aged 79". SecondsOut. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joey Maxim.
Achievements
Preceded by World Light Heavyweight Champion
January 24, 1950 – December 17, 1952 		Succeeded by
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