Jewogle - Maxie Rosenbloom

Biography:

Max Everitt Rosenbloom, known as Slapsie Maxie (born September 6, 1903, in Harlem, New York City – died March 6, 1976, in South Pasadena, California), was a boxing champion, film actor, and television personality.

Growing up in a tough New York neighborhood, Rosenbloom learned to defend himself. He was considered a clever boxer. Not a heavy puncher, as a professional he 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.

Slapsie Maxie won the Light Heavyweight Championship of the World in 1932. He held and defended the title until November of 1934, when he lost it to Bob Olin.

In a professional boxing career which lasted from 1923 to 1939, Rosenbloom fought 299 bouts. He won 223 (19 KOs), lost 42, and drew 32, with 2 no-contests.

Opinions over his nickname vary. He may have been called Slapsie Maxie because at times he seemed to slap his opponent with open gloves rather than punch. But "Slapsie" was a common term for punch-drunk, and Rosenbloom played that character with great popular success both in the ring, and later in films. This seems the more likely reason for the name.

Rosenbloom was extremely popular, and enjoyed gala parties, the company of movie actors, women, and even gamblers.

In his boxing matches he suffered thousands of head punches, which eventually led to the deterioration of his motor functions.

In 1937, he accepted a role in a Hollywood film, and after retiring from boxing in 1939 he operated nightclubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles. He continued acting on radio, television, and in a number of films, usually playing comedy roles as a big, clumsy, punch-drunk -- but lovable -- lout.

Death:

On his passing in 1976 at the age of 72, Maxie Rosenbloom was interred in the Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in North Hollywood, California.

Halls of Fame:

Rosenbloom was inducted into the Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1972.
In 1984 he was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
Rosenbloom was also inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1985.
In 1993 he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.