Note: This is the first installment of a new series on RingTV.com in which we'll post a profile of a fighter in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

JOEY MAXIM

Birthdate: March 28, 1922
Date of Death: June 2, 2001
Birthplace: Collinswood, Ohio
Weight Class: Light heavyweight, heavyweight
Record: 82-29-4 (21)
Title Held: World light heavyweight (Jan. 24, 1950-Dec. 17, 1952)
Best Performances: Ray Robinson (KO 14), Jersey Joe Walcott (W 10), Freddie Mills (KO 10), Gus Lesnevich (W 15), Floyd Patterson (W 8), Jimmy Bivins (W 10), Bob Satterfield (W 10), Bob Murphy (W 15), Curtis Sheppard (W 10, W 10), Red Burman (W 10)
Year of IBHOF Induction: 1994
Background: Born Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio ÔǪ Took up boxing at an early age, and in 1940 (fighting as a middleweight) won the Chicago Golden Gloves, the Intercity Golden Gloves, and the National AAU champions ÔǪ Turned pro in January 1941 at the age of 18 ÔǪ Ring name derived from the Maxim machine gun, due to the rapidity of his left jab ÔǪ Never a big puncher, he relied on his excellent left jab, clever boxing skills and a great chin (stopped only once in 115 pro bouts) ÔǪ Surprised by beating Top-10 contender Red Burman, in his first year as a pro ÔǪ Stayed active during World War II while serving as a military policeman in Miami, Fla. ÔǪ Outpointed future heavyweight champion Jersey Joe Walcott (in Camden, N.J., no less) in ’46 ÔǪ Won American light heavyweight title in ’49 with 15-round decision over Gus Lesnevich ÔǪ Traveled in January 1950 to London where he knocked out English slugger Freddie Mills to capture the world light heavyweight championship ÔǪ Challenged Ezzard Charles for the heavyweight championship in December ’51, losing a 15-round decision ÔǪ Dropped back down to light heavy and retained the title with a 15-round decision over “Irish” Bob Murphy in his next bout ÔǪ In his most famous fight, he turned back the challenge of reigning middleweight champion Sugar Ray Robinson in June ’52. Approximately 48,000 fans at Yankee Stadium saw Robinson build up a big lead, only to become exhausted by temperatures in excess of 100 degrees Fahrenheit and retire in his corner after the 13th round. “Did I have air-conditioning in my corner?” quipped Maxim when some refused to give him credit for beating Robinson ÔǪ Lost 175-pound championship to Archie Moore in June ’53 ÔǪ Last hurrah came when he became the first to beat future heavyweight champ Floyd Patterson, in June ’54 ÔǪ Had his final fight in May ’58 ÔǪ Owned a restaurant in Cleveland, worked as a casino host and stand-up comic in Las Vegas, and drove a cab in Florida after quitting the ring ÔǪ Died of a stroke while living in West Palm Beach, Fla.