On the HOT NIGHT of June 25, 1952 at Yankee Stadium, New York City, history DENIED probably the greatest fighter pound per pound the glory of achieving a trile crown championship. Sugar Ray Robinson, that was, was trying to get a third world crown in at light heavyweight vs world champion Joey Maxim of Cleveland, OH.
As I watched the tape, I saw a man with so much style and grace in the ring in Robinson vs a guy so determined with a great left hook like Maxim. Robinson was using his jab and ring generalship and speed BEAUTIFULLY against the champion Maxim.
Even though the champ outweighted the Sugar Man by 15 pounds (Robinson's 157 lbs to Maxim's 172 lbs) and had advantages also in height (Maxim 6'1" to Robinson 5'11") and reach (I do not remember the reach advantage) , MAXIM, COULDN'T COPE WITH THE SPEED AND MOVEMENT OF ROBINSON. IT WAS CONFUSING HIM. HE WAS TOO SLOW ON FOOT TO CATCH SUGAR RAY. The only thing he hoped was to Robinson gets tired (which he did), and slug it out with him.
I was amazed how Robinson beautifully used the left jab: POP POP POP MOVE, POP POP POP MOVE, POP POP POP MOVE. IT WAS A THING OF BEAUTY!!!
Still, Sugar Ray in the inside exchanges, was better than Maxim. Maxim looked to slow for the original Sugar Ray. I did not see Robinson losing this fight, neither TROUBLED NOR WORN DOWN by Maxim's weight or punches. He did not looked like he was getting a beating. By round 10, the referee Ruby Goldstein was replaced by referee Ray Miller because he collapsed of the intense heat.
ROBINSON simply COULD NOT CONTINUE in round 14th because of the intense heat at Yankee Stadium. Maxim was very determined as a fighter that night and as the rounds went by, Maxim got STRONGER. MAXIM RETAINED HIS CROWN IN PROBABLY HIS GREATEST VICTORY OF HIS CAREER.
The heat did not affected Maxim. Was Maxim HUMAN???
