Joey Maxim
| Joseph Maxim | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli |
| Rated at | Light heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
| Reach | 72 1⁄2 in (184 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
March 28, 1922 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | June 2, 2001 (aged 79) 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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