Maxim is best remembered for being the only man to stop Sugar Ray Robinson inside the distance, when the two fought for the 175lb title on 25 June 1952.
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Maxim was christened Giuseppe Antonio Berardinelli and he took his name from the famous machine gun.
New York scorcher
His fight with Robinson took place at the New York's Yankee Stadium in a fight which is remembered for many different reasons.
Such was the temperature that night that referee Ruby Goldstein passed out and had to be replaced by a second official.
Maxim, behind on points, was eventually declared winner when Robinson was forced to withdraw because of exhaustion.
"It was hot on my half of the ring, too," Maxim cheekily quipped some years later.
Maxim retired in 1958 with an impressive record of 82 wins 29 defeats and four draws.
Legends
He beat Britain's own Freddie Mills in 10 rounds to take the title in January 1950.
Maxim would also beat another British fighter in Sir Henry Cooper, as well as legends Jersey Joe Walcott and Floyd Patterson.
He also unsuccessfully challenged Ezzard Charles for the world heavyweight title in 1951, although he lasted the full 15 rounds.
Maxim entered the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994.