Joey Maxim

Joseph Maxim
Joey Maxim in 1952
Statistics
Real name	Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli
Weight(s)	Light heavyweight Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Reach	72+1⁄2 in (184 cm)
Born	(1922-03-28)March 28, 1922 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Died	June 2, 2001(2001-06-02) (aged 79) West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	116
Wins	83
Wins by KO	22
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 while 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,Sugar Ray Robinson 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 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[]

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	TKO	14	Jun 25, 1952	Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York	Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles Robinson did not come out for the 14th round due to heat exhaustion
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[]

• List of light heavyweight boxing champions

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joey Maxim.

• Boxing record for Joey Maxim from BoxRec
• Joey Maxim at Find a Grave
• Joey Maxim – CBZ Profile