Sugar Ray Robinson challenged Joey Maxim for the Light-Heavyweight title, of the world. At the weigh-in, Maxim was heavier than Robinson by about a stone. At the time of the fight, the temperature in Yank Stadium was the hottest in New York's history, estimated to be well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sugar Ray, naturally the faster, was outpointing the heavier builded Maxim comfortably. In fact, on all three score cards Robinson had won nearly every round and was clearly favoured to win.

By the thirteenth round however, the intense heat in the stadium along with Ray's fight plan, i.e. the hit and move tactic, was now visibly taking its toll on him. At one point, Ray threw a punch that missed Maxim altogether, but sent him flying to the canvas nevertheless. Ray got up, and Maxim, seeing Ray in trouble backed him against the ropes where blows to Ray's head and body followed relentlessly. Ray had to be helped back to his corner, and too exhausted and disoriented from the New York humidity, was unable to come out for the fourteenth round.

Later it was discovered that Sugar Ray had lost up to 16 IBS. during that fight. Six months later, without boxing again, Ray announced his retirement. It was his third defeat.