I think Maxim can win this, it's a tough-natured bout and Maxim can box here, he is not outclassed in that sense. I like LaMotta still as better, and really you can't go too wrong picking either man. I'll take Maxim because i don't think i've ever taken him before on this board, so i'm taking this opportunity when i believe it's justifiable. By the way in a pound for pound sense i would pick LaMotta every time. I understand he did well over the 160 pound limit, but Maxim was certainly bigger than him naturally.
Maxim would've won a decision over LaMotta in the early 1950's when the fight was the closest to happening.
The fact remains that LaMotta didn't go after Maxim in 1950, even though making weight was a struggle for Jake. Joey had a bit too much in the way of skill, height and reach for LaMotta to overcome at this level of competition. Maxim was holding his own with Charles and Walcott, while Jake had serious problems with Villemain and Dauthuille. In a weak era, Joey might well have nabbed the big prize. Maxim's jab was too good, and he was too clever for LaMotta to nick the decision here. I just don't see how Jake manages to outscore him for the win.
Maxim knew his limitations and was a smart fighter...he would box and move all night and decision Jake.
He did go after Maxim when he had lost his title at middleweight, but Maxim chose to defend his title against Robinson over LaMotta.
Well Lamotta was past it a bit when he went to 175 but I like the underrated Maxim in this fight but would not sell Jake short. Maxim in a competitive UD in a battle of the Italian bull vs the Italian matador
