since it was the heat that made SRR lose

I give Maxim some credit for the win but my point is that you cant sit there and say "sometimes boxing is a marathon and Robinson just couldnt finish the race that day." With Robinson moving up to a weight 15 pounds in excess of what he had been fighting at (which was already above his best weight) a better comparison would be if two guys were running a marathon but one had to run slightly uphill the entire way while the other simply ran at a level pace. To refuse acknowledge that the playing field was not level by the mere fact that Robinson was moving up is to give Maxim far too much credit. Does anyone truly believe that Maxim would have won had he weighed 160? I didnt think so. All things being equal Maxim would not have won. Even as unequal as they were (and I realize Robinson agreed to those terms) Robinson was winning easily although he was the one forced to exert the most energy in order to contend with the size difference. Its not an excuse, its a legitimate cause.

 

I think we all realize it was essentially a catchweight fight, but SRR signed the contract and Maxim didn't exactly have an air conditioner in his corner. Once the contract is signed by both parties, all things are not equal (they never are) but they are deemed fair and agreed upon. I give Maxim credit for the victory.

 

because you can't have a rematch against heat.

 

One of the main reasons why Robinson fought Maxim was because he was considered a relatively unthreatening, light hitting champion. He wasnt great at any one thing. His game was to jab, to peck, poke, probe, and score points. For a fast guy like Robinson, who could essentially do everything Maxim could do only better it was a no brainer. In short, he was the shortest distance to another championship and history. I think we can all agree that Moore was a bridge too far for Robinson even under optimal conditions. Its bizarre to me that people think Maxim, who had done nothing to Robinson somehow planned to lose the vast majority of 12 or 13 rounds and wait for Robinson, one of the most durable fighters in history, to collapse after taking little punishment. Ok, if that really was Maxim's plan then I give him full credit for being either a genius or clairvoyant. He wasnt, so I cant give him full credit.

 

Yeah, but the contract didn't stipulate the weather conditions of the fight, something no one could predict, which completely turned around the outcome of the fight and had nothing to do with Maxim whatsoever. It was as circumstantial as an injury, Maxim didn't do anything to tip the balance of the fight. Robbie lost the fight but it wasn't Maxim that took it from him.

 

It is bizarre and a tad far fetched. Joey Maxim the master strategist.

 

:deal

True. Had Maxim laid the groundwork for Robinson`s demise with a consistent body attack or any sort of offense he would/could be given more credit.

As it stands it was just a fluke.

 

In other words, Maxim being a strong durable light-heavyweight had A LOT to do with Ray losing.

So, even for people who claim "it was the heat that defeated him !" they would likely acknowledge that if Robinson was up against a weaker, smaller, less durable fighter he would have had other options.

I don't think that anyone says that Maxim was better than Robinson POUND-FOR-POUND .... but he was a bigger man fighting in a bigger weight class.

It was for the light-heavyweight title. The playing field IS level, because both fighters are allowed to weigh in up to 175 pounds.

Maxim deserves all the credit.

 

I don't understand this line of reasoning.
Who says it was Maxim's plan for Robinson to run out of gas ? Who cares about Maxim's clairvoyancy ?
Why do we have to make this more complicated than it is.

Some elements of boxing are very basic.
THIS IS VERY BASIC :
You might be losing a fight but .... you can choose to carry on until the final bell if you can - (and in the HOPE than you're opponent might wilt or you land a miracle punch) -
.... OR you can choose to quit.

Maxim didn't quit. We should assume that he INTENDED to DEFEND HIS TITLE to the final bell. And to never give up until it's over.
That's a basic principle in competitive boxing, and in many other sports.
It's a basic principle that is rightfully rewarded.
Full credit must be given.

 

Some points to be made-
!- if Ray Robinson's corner had to KNOW of the heat in the ring from the first round on, why did Ray Robinson go all out, and not adjust to the conditions that prevailed in that hot climate.?
2- Robinson had no reason to fear Maxim as a puncher, and could have not expended so much energy with his patented vicious flurries during the course of that bout. Thus saving his energy for the later rounds...
3- True Robinson was spotting Maxim 15 pounds, but in the 20s and 30s, it was common practice for fighters to spot opponents great weight and harsh conditions and prevail...
4- I believe if Robinson boxed more from the gitgo, and saved his energy knowing it was a 15 round bout, Robby might have gone the distance and won a decision...But credit must be due Joey Maxim as his strategy paid off....

 

Exactly. The fact that someone with the ability and experience of Robinson didn't adjust his tactics to the heat and humidity, even in the championship rounds, fighting to conserve energy, suggests that he at least considered Joey Maxim too big/good for him to allow it.

 

Robinson had no idea that the heat would effect him in that way. Possibly any other night fighting the exact same manner the heat would not have had such a telling effect. In the end Maxim won so of course he gets credit for the win.

 

Oh, come on.

Robinson seems to have been in a very serious condition due to dehydration after the bout.

His son is on film saying it took months before Ray was back to normal.

There are better ways of fixing a fight.