Joey Maxim Versus Floyd Patterson June 7, 1954

Joey Maxim was a veteran of 100 plus fights when he fought a 19-year-old Floyd Patterson at Eastern Parkway Arena on June 7, 1954. Patterson was undefeated but had fought less than twenty times professionally. He gained a chance at Maxim by dominating Jesse Turner in an 8-round bout that spring. Patterson, an Olympic Champion, was limited to eight rounds until he turned 20 in 1955. Maxim, from Cleveland was close to mobsters. His real name was Giuseppe Antonio Bernardinelli. He was for three years the World Light Heavyweight Champion, even though Archie Moore may have well been the best light heavyweight at this time. Maxim's best fight was in 1952 when he knocked out the great Sugar Ray Robinson.