Maxie Rosenbloom

Max Everitt Rosenbloom (November 1, 1907[1] – March 6, 1976) was an American professional boxer, actor, and television personality. Nicknamed “Slapsie Maxie”, he was inducted into The Ring's Boxing Hall of Fame in 1972,[2] the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, [3] the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1985, [4] and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. [5]

Maxie Rosenbloom
Rosenbloom in 1941
Statistics
Real nameMax Everitt Rosenbloom
Nickname(s)Slapsy Maxie
Weight(s)Light Heavyweight
NationalityAmerican
Born(1907-11-01)November 1, 1907
Leonard Bridge, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedMarch 6, 1976(1976-03-06) (aged 68)
South Pasadena, California, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights298
Wins223
Wins by KO19
Losses44
Draws29
No contests2

Early life and boxing career

Born in Leonard Bridge, Connecticut, Rosenbloom was nicknamed "Slapsie Maxie" by a journalist due to his open-gloved style of boxing.[6] As a professional boxer, Rosenbloom relied on hitting and moving to score points. He was very difficult to hit cleanly with a power punch and his fights often went the full number of required rounds. In his boxing career, he received thousands of punches to the head, which eventually led to the deterioration of his motor functions.[2]

Legendary trainer Cus D'Amato later recalled that watching Rosenbloom's ring performances inspired him for a quest to create a perfect fighter, and to develop a unique boxing technique, later known as the peek-a-boo style:[7]

Rosenbloom was probably the cleverest fighter I've ever seen, defensively. You just couldn't hit the man. He developed a sort of a radar, a sense of anticipation of blows, and ability to react to that, and act on it.

In 1930, he won the New York light heavyweight title.[2] In 1932, he won the World Light Heavyweight Championship.[8] He held and defended the title until November 1934, when he lost it to Bob Olin.[9]

Films, radio and television

In 1937, two years before he announced his permanent retirement from boxing, Rosenbloom accepted a role in a Hollywood film. He became a character actor, usually portraying comical or sympathetic "big guys" in movies such Each Dawn I Die.[10] He continued acting in films as well as on radio and television, where he again portrayed big, clumsy, often punch-drunk-but-lovable characters.[2]

He appeared as himself in a number of radio episodes of The Fred Allen Show, including in a skit with Marlene Dietrich. He was also cast in an important part in television's first 90-minute drama, Requiem for a Heavyweight. Written by Rod Serling and starring Jack Palance, that teleplay presents the story of a boxer at the end of his career. Rosenbloom portrays a character whose life revolves around his retelling old boxing stories night after night to other ex-boxers who gather in a down-and-out bar. That life looms as the same fate for "Mountain" McClintock (Palance's character) if he cannot adjust to a new way of life outside the ring.[11]

Slapsy Maxie's, Rosenbloom’s nightclub, is prominently featured in a 2013 crime film, Gangster Squad, which is set in 1949. The original club operated in San Francisco. The club moved to 7165 Beverly Blvd in Los Angeles. From 1943-47 it was located at 5665 Wilshire Blvd.[12]

Death

Rosenbloom, at age 68, died of Paget's disease of bone on March 6, 1976, at the Braewood Convalescent Hospital in South Pasadena, California.[13] His gravesite is at the Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.[14]

Accolades

Selected filmography

See also

References
  1. According to Rosenbloom's headstone in the Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery, his birth date is November 1, 1907
  2. "Former light-heavy champ Maxie Rosembloom is dead". Ellensburg Daily Record. United Press International. March 8, 1976.
  3. "Elected Members". International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
  4. "An Evening to Remember". The Sacramento Bee. November 3, 1985.
  5. Jon Saraceno (January 14, 1993). "Six live to see own induction". USA Today.
  6. Siegman, Joseph (2000). Jewish Sports Legends: The International Jewish Hall of Fame. Brassey's. p. 63. ISBN 1-57488-284-8.
  7. Cus D'Amato - Philosopher's Mentality
  8. Edward J. Neil (June 26, 1930). "Maxey [sic] Rosenbloom Wins Light Heavyweight Title". Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  9. "Bob Olin Victor Over Champion: Decision Booed as Maxie Loses Crown". Pittsburgh Press. November 17, 1934.
  10. "Grim Prison Drama Stars Cagney And Raft". Portsmouth Times. August 14, 1939.
  11. John Crosby (October 16, 1956). "John Crosby's Column: 90-Minute Drama Packs Punch". Toledo Blade.
  12. Foster, Charles (2003). Once Upon a Time in Paradise: Canadians in the Golden Age of Hollywood. Dundurn p. 97. ISBN 978-1550024647
  13. Blady, Ken (1988). The Jewish Boxers Hall of Fame. SP Books. p. 226. ISBN 0-933503-87-3.
  14. "Maxie Rosenbloom Dead...", obituary, The New York Times, March 8, 1976, p. 27. ProQuest Historical Newspapers, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  15. "Elected Members". International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
  16. "An Evening to Remember". The Sacramento Bee. November 3, 1985.
  17. Jon Saraceno (January 14, 1993). "Six live to see own induction". USA Today.
Achievements
Vacant
Title last held by
Tommy Loughran		 World Light Heavyweight Champion
July 14, 1932 – November 16, 1934		 Succeeded by
Bob Olin
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