Rosenbloom, Max ("Slapsie Maxie")

Boxing

b. Sept. 6, 1904, Leonard's Bridge, CT
d. March 6, 1976

Career Record

Other Resources

Though not highly thought as a fighter of by most sportswriters and boxing aficionados, Rosenbloom had a long career and was so well liked by the average fan that he was successful in show business long after he left the ring.

Rosenbloom grew up in a tough neighborhood in New York City and spent some time in a reformatory as a young teen-ager. He became a professional fighter in 1923 and didn't suffer his first loss until August 22, 1925, when Jimmy Slattery beat him on a 6-round decision.

The 5-foot-11 Rosenbloom had a very long reach and developed the technique of staying out of reach of his opponents and slapping them with relatively harmless blows, which earned him his nickname. The technique won him a lot of decisions going into his bout with Slattery for the New York light heavyweight championship on June 25, 1930. Rosenbloom took the title in 15 rounds.

He was recognized as world champion after decisioning Lou Scozza in 15 rounds on July 14, 1932. Rosenbloom held the title until Bob Olin won a questionable 15-round decision on November 16, 1934. After that, Rosenbloom did much of his fighting on the West Coast, where he owned two restaurants.

His last bout was a 3rd-round knockout of Al Ettore on June 26, 1939, in Hollywood. Rosenbloom later appeared in a number of movies, did a nightclub actor with another former fighter, Max Baer, and performed on stage in Guys and Dolls.

He won 210 of his 280 professional fights, only 18 by knockout. Rosenbloom lost 35, 2 by knockout, and also fought 23 draws, 19 no-decisions, and 2 no-contests.

International Boxing Hall of Fame