Sport: Boxing Inducted: 1984 Country: United States Born: September 6, 1904 in Leonard’s
Bridge, CT Died: March 6, 1976
Slapsie Maxie
Rosenbloom was World Light-Heavyweight Boxing Champion from
1930 to 1934. He was the busiest title holder
in ring history, fighting 106 times during his four-and-a-half-year
reign—the equivalent of fighting one bout every 15
days!
Rosenbloom decisioned World Champion Jimmy Slattery to win
the Light-Heavyweight title on June 25, 1930. He lost the
crown to Bob Olin by decision on November 16,
1934.
Journalist Damon Runyon, writing about Rosenbloom’s
colorful persona and unique open glove style
of boxing, dubbed him Slapsie Maxie, a nickname that
followed him throughout his
boxing career. Upon retirement from the ring, Rosenbloom’s
sharp wit and broken syntax brought
him new success
in motion pictures. He appeared in nearly 100 films
during his post-boxing
career.
His professional boxing record, which
began in 1923 and closed in 1939: 299 bouts—won
223 (19 KOs), lost 42, drew 32, 2 no-contests.
Rosenbloom was elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1972
and to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.
