I like this fight for a couple of reasons, first of all it's great footage and because of it we're left with a fine demonstration of the greatness of these two champions. Mills once again shows his durability, guts and punch. He had a good few opportunities of stopping Maxim, but Joey maintained. Mills, smaller in stature, but strong none-the-less, just couldn't get past the steady pilling up of Maxim punches... Maxim, well Joey Maxim deserves to be remembered foundly no doubt! though he would be more of a HW than Mills could ever be, Joey Maxim was smaller in strength and stature to some of the great HWs he fought and beat. Maxim shows great disiplined boxing and an obvious controll that never allowed himself to lose focus or fight in desperation, cool and confident in his own ability. this is even more noteworthy when given that he was not known as a big hitter, but this film here against Mills shows there is definate power in his shots. I think it was the bigger HWs that were able to absorb these blows more because of their own size and strength... but when you think Joey Maxim was able to maitain that controlled boxing to beat them, well it says plenty for Maxim. Great skilled and seasoned operator. Mills too in his own right as a L-HW, kind of a LaMotta or Chuvalo of the L-HWs of the time! Good fight here... [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4gJ6fchxfs[/ame]
I don't rate Mills highly but there's no doubt the man had a lot of heart. Maxim was a very solid all-around operator. If you wish to learn how to box, without any particular natural talents, watch his fights.
Mills was not easy on the eye but he was effective. mills had a lot of fights, knew his way around a ring and could box when he wanted to. Freddie's ungainly slugging was unorthodox but he was able to be effective against a good level of more orthodox boxers because of how unpredictable the sequence of punches he used. A poor fighter could not have landed that left hook on maxim in the first round without knowing what he was doing- its about as hurt as you will ever see maxim! Freddies understanding of range and distance, when to pull the trigger is underrated because he looks so awkward. Booth fighters knew where to stand so as to smother the true impact of a punch and mills, like tommy farr was no exception.
I dont really rate either of these guys too highly but in fairness to Mills he was really ring worn at the time. Every fight this guy had was pretty tough. Theres a documentary about him from the 70s or 80s which is top notch. He was a really intelligent guy and funny as hell.
Sorry 2 change d subject of a good thread , but : 1) If both klompton and TGA don't think highly of Mills , I guess it means something . 2) I think TGA got banned 4 some reason (we know that klompton did) does any1 know y ?
he said he didn't rate either... So what? Most people credit Maxim with being a quick and clever boxer, with an always pumping jab, which obviously led the way for the following right hand, lots of them! and while not a big puncher he should be credited with many great wins over bigger, harder hitting heavies. Mills was as rugged and tough as they come and stepped up against bigger foe often, so both fighters in my book are very good and great fighters too.
Good video. To be honest I never really thought much of Maxim but after seeing this clip I may have to rethink my estimation of his abilities. He showed good skills here. good combinations and solid fundementals. Nothing flashy but very solid skills. Wouldn't be a pushover against any LHW champion past or present. I wonder what someone like Burt thinks of him. I'm too young to have seen him fight.
Maxim was an excellent boxer. he had the chin for heavyweight but not the punch, so eventually had success wresting the 175 pound title. I liked his fight with Irish Bob Murphy
Maxim was a very good, conservative, defensive type boxer with a great proven chin, durability and skill. He was just a bit too negative a boxer..he practised defense a bit too much, but then again, he fought well withing his limitations and to be honest, he didn't have the punch to be more daring
