Joey Maxim

Joseph Maxim
Joseph Maxim
	Joey Maxim in 1952
Born	Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli; March 28, 1922; Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Died	June 2, 2001 (aged 79); West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
	Statistics
Weight(s)	Light heavyweight; Heavyweight;
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Reach	72+1⁄2 in (184 cm)
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 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

Maxim was born and raised in Collinwood neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio.

Career

Early career

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 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 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

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

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

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

References

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

External links

Boxing record for Joey Maxim from BoxRec (registration required)
Joey Maxim at Find a Grave
Joey Maxim – CBZ Profile

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

[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)

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