Remembering Tough Max Heyman
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By Daniel Sisneros
Albuquerque’s Max Heyman was an outstanding amateur kickboxer who after a short amateur boxing career stepped into the world of professional boxing on June 14, 1997 and ko’d 12 fight veteran Luis Medina in 74 seconds of the opening round.
The power lifting amateur kick-boxer turned pro boxer built a nice record of 7-1-1, 5 ko) before being tested against undefeated Antwon Leach (7-0-1, 6 ko) at The Great Western Forum in Inglewood, CA. Heyman fought the local favorite to a 6 round draw, passing the test.
The New Mexico Light-Heavyweight now found his self traveling to Missouri, Mississippi, and Nevada for fights against the next level of opposition. He lost a split decision to Shannon Miller, but scored a huge win over Gustavo “La Parka” Enriquez (8-2, 5 ko) in Las Vegas, NV.
The win over Enriquez earned Heyman a shot at undefeated prospect Miguel Angel Jimenez (14-0, 5 ko). Max took a big step up in reputation with an 8 round unanimous decision win over the previously unbeaten Jimenez.
A 6 round decision win over Jeremy Morrison (11-1, 8 ko) in a bout televised on ESPN from The Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills, CA, and a 10 round draw against Ed Dalton (24-7, 6 ko) earned Heyman
a shot at the NABO Light-Heavyweight Title against defending champion – unbeatem and world ranked knockout artist -Julian “Mr. KO” Letterlough (14-0-1, 14 ko). Heyman was stopped by the undefeated champion by tko in round 6 of his first title challenge.
Heyman battled on and put together a 7-1 stretch that included wins over former WBC Continental Americas Light Heavyweight Champion – Ray Berry (19-7-1, 7 ko) and stopping former IBC Welterweight Title Challenger – Roland Commings.
It was August 20, 2004 when Heyman faced former New Mexico Amateur State Champion – Joseph Brady (13-1-1, 6 ko) for his New Mexico State Super Middleweight Title belt. It was a great night for Heyman as the defending champion could not answer the bell for round 5.
Max Heyman went 2-1-1 after that bout, and earned another title shot, this time it was for the vacant NABA Light-Heavyweight Title. He had to travel to Montreal, Quebec Canada and face undefeated local star Adrian Diaconu (20-0, 13 ko). The Hometown boy won via 4th round knockout.
3 fights later, Heyman got a shot at the vacant NABF Light-Heavyweight Championship. But, again, he had to travel to face an unbeaten favorite in their hometown. This time it was Chris Henry (18-0, 15 ko), and Heyman was stopped in round 2 of the bout scheduled for 12.
Max bounced back with a win over Louisiana’s Roy Ashworth, and then split a pair of cross-town grudge matches against “Mad” Mike Alderete also of Albuquerque. Heyman lost the first meeting by split decision, but got his revenge, stopping Alderete in the 8th round of the rematch.
Heyman defeated Chicago’s Chris Thomas by unanimous decision, and then went out with two title bouts to end his professional career. First traveling to Magdeburg, Germany, losing to Hometown Champion Robin Krasniqi (38-2, 14 ko) for his WBO International Light-Heavyweight Title. And then his final professional bout June 13, 2014 traveling to Saint Joseph, MO and moving up in weight, losing a challenge for the WBC Continental Americas Cruiserweight Championship against knockout machine and defending champion Olanrewaju Durodola (17-2, 16 ko) in the main event.
Max Heyman earned his reputation as a boxer who never ducked a challenge, and was willing to travel anywhere to face any boxer who would put their title on the line. He finished his pro career with a record of: 25 wins, 14 losses, and 4 draws, winning 13 times by knockout.
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