Poll: Did the heat KO Sugar Ray in the Maxim fight?

In a nutshell.. Yes.

 

Robinson came with a very dumb strategy. Also, it didn't help that Robinson didn't want a decision over Maxim. Robinson came with with the intention of knocking Maxim, which was extremely unlikely.

Robinson really underestimated how resilient Maxim was and didn't have an answer for when Maxim was muscling an leaning on him in the clinch and Robinson absorbed a lot of body blows, so even without the heat I still see Robinson eventually getting worn out and stopped. Round after round Robinson's legs were weakening from Maxim leaning his weight on him.

 

What was Maxim’s comment, something like, “Did I have air conditioning in my corner?”

If Joey had lost in the exact same fashion, there would be absolutely no narrative that the heat beat him … it would have been credit to Ray.

If Robinson thought he was the better man, why did he not pursue a rematch?

Yes it was hot, for both men. There have actually been fights in hotter and more humid environments. It’s a tough game. Maxim won fair and square and deserves full credit. There’s literally nothing in Ray’s resume to make anyone think he was a world championship-level light heavyweight.

Now if Ray had fought in the era where there were respectable titles to be claimed at 154 and 168, he probably would have won those. But 175 was a bridge too far. (A hot bridge, over a volcano, but a bridge nonetheless.)

 

Then why fight him at all?

As for your other question, I think Maxim’s body work and what mauling he did wore Ray down.

Would it have done so in 72-degree air conditioning? We don’t know. And it doesn’t matter.

Who would have won if it was 20 degrees? Doesn’t matter.

You fight the guy in front of you in the conditions that happen to be present at the time. If Ray couldn’t withstand the heat, that’s part of being able to win. You can’t be a fair-weather fighter.

As noted, no one would have taken a second to blame the heat if Ray had lasted and won a decision and said ‘well if it wasn’t so hot Joey would have won.’ They fought in the same heat and one could take it better than the other.

 

I think without the heat that Sugar Ray Robinson goes on to win the 175 lb title with a points win over Joey Maxim, plain and simple, he was up on the judges cards when the end of the fight came.

 

Winning a fight can be based on ability — skill plus athletic attributes like speed.

Or by strategy: Boxer A and his coach come up with a plan to get the better of Boxer B and the plan is executed.

But it can also be won by attrition.

Had Maxim increased his output, perhaps he would have worn himself down to the point that he was done earlier. Robinson, as @Jackomano pointed out, Ray’s strategy and want to get Maxim out there resulted in him using up what he had in atmospheric conditions unfavorable to going 15 rounds at a higher workrate.

So Maxim’s endurance and lower output were suited for the condition of combat and he won by attrition.

Ali threw far fewer punches than George Foreman in their fight. He blocked and absorbed and leaned back and taunted and let George punch himself out. Does that mean Ali didn’t really win since he didn’t throw as many punches?

Vince Lombardi, the great football coach, observed that, and I quote, “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”

Joey fought the right fight to win in those conditions. Ray didn’t. Fatigue and dehydration set in. And Maxim won because fatigue set in and Robinson couldn’t handle it.

 

If Ray just strutted though the last rounds he would’ve won easy. He made Maxim look oafish.

 

What in tarnation has happened to classic? Are you all morons. Even the ref collapsed from the heat. You imbeciles looking for mysteries where there are none are idiots. And sadly, running America the last 6 months. But we all know how that will end.

 

You have started more idiotic threads than anyone in classic history. I got one. Is the Earth really round? Lmaoyfi