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Jake LaMotta

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Giacobbe "Jake" LaMotta (July 10, 1922 – September 19, 2017) was an Italian-American professional boxer who was world middleweight champion between 1949 and 1951. Nicknamed "The Bronx Bull" or "Raging Bull" for his technique of constant stalking, brawling and inside fighting, he developed a reputation for being a "bully"; he was what is often referred to today as a swarmer and a slugger.

Jake LaMotta
LaMotta in a postcard dated 1952
Born
Giacobbe LaMotta

(1922-07-10)July 10, 1922
New York City, U.S.
DiedSeptember 19, 2017(2017-09-19) (aged 95)
Aventura, Florida, U.S.
Other namesThe Bronx Bull
The Raging Bull
Statistics
Weight(s)Middleweight
Light heavyweight
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)[1]
Reach67 in (170 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights106[2]
Wins83
Wins by KO30
Losses19
Draws4

Due to his hard style of fighting, LaMotta often took as much as he dished out in an era of great middleweights. With a thick skull and jaw muscles, LaMotta was able to absorb incredible amounts of punishment over the course of his career, and is thought to have one of the greatest chins in boxing history. LaMotta's six-fight rivalry with Sugar Ray Robinson was one of the most notable in the sport. Although each fight was close and LaMotta dropped Robinson to the canvas multiple times, LaMotta won only one of the bouts. LaMotta, who lived a turbulent life in and out of the ring, was managed by his brother Joey. He was ranked 52nd on Ring Magazine's list of the "80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years",[3] and also ranked amongst its list of the 10 greatest middleweights of all time.[4] LaMotta was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.[5]

LaMotta's autobiography was adapted into the 1980 Martin Scorsese film Raging Bull. It went on to be nominated for eight Academy Awards, with Robert De Niro winning Best Actor for his portrayal of LaMotta.

Early life

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LaMotta was born on the Lower East Side of New York City on July 10, 1922, to Italian parents, Elizabeth (Merluzzo) and Giuseppe "Joseph" LaMotta.[6][7][8] Many sources had reported his year of birth as 1921,[9] but his daughter Christi claimed it was in fact 1922.[9] His mother was born in the United States to Italian immigrants, while his father was an immigrant from Messina, Sicily, who came with family including Jake's older brother Joseph. The family lived briefly in Philadelphia before returning to New York City and settling in the Bronx.[6]

Jake's father forced the boy to fight other boys in order to entertain neighborhood adults, who threw pocket change into the ring. LaMotta's father collected the money and used it to help pay the rent.[10] One of LaMotta's cousins on his father's side was Richard LaMotta, who became an entrepreneur and creator of the Chipwich ice cream treat.[11]

LaMotta learned to box while in a reformatory in upstate New York, where he'd been sent for attempted robbery.[6] Afterward he fought undefeated in amateur bouts, turning professional at age 19 in 1941. During World War II, he was rejected for military service due to a childhood mastoid operation on one of his ears which affected his hearing.[6][12]

Boxing career

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As a middleweight in his first fifteen bouts, LaMotta went 14–0–1 (3 KOs) before losing a highly controversial split decision to Jimmy Reeves in Reeves' hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Chaos erupted after the decision was announced. Fights broke out around the ring and the crowd continued to boo for 20 minutes. The arena's organist tried (but failed) to calm down the crowd by playing the "Star Spangled Banner".

One month later, LaMotta and Reeves fought again in the same arena. LaMotta lost a much less controversial decision. A third match between the two took place on March 19, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan. The first five rounds were close, though Reeves was struggling in the fourth. In the sixth round, LaMotta floored Reeves, who was only down for a second. Once the fight resumed, LaMotta landed a left on Reeves' chin, sending him down face-first. Reeves was blinking his eyes and shaking his head as the referee counted him out.

LaMotta vs. Robinson I–V

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See also: Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta

LaMotta fought Sugar Ray Robinson in Robinson's middleweight debut at Madison Square Garden, New York City, October 2, 1942.[13] LaMotta knocked Robinson down in the first round of the fight. Robinson got up and took control over much of the fight, winning via a unanimous 10-round decision.[13]

A 10-round rematch took place February 5, 1943, at Olympia Stadium in Detroit, Michigan.[13] In the eighth round, LaMotta landed a right to Robinson's head and a left to his body, sending him through the ropes. Robinson was saved by the bell at the count of nine. LaMotta, who was already leading on the scorecards before knocking Robinson out of the ring, pummeled and outpointed him for the rest of the fight. Robinson had trouble keeping LaMotta at bay.[14] LaMotta won via unanimous decision, giving Robinson the first defeat of his career.

The victory was short-lived, as the two met on February 26, 1943, in what was another 10-round fight, once again at Olympia Stadium in Robinson's former home of Detroit.[13] Robinson was knocked down for a nine-count in Round 7. Robinson later stated, "He really hurt me with a left in the seventh round. I was a little dazed and decided to stay on the deck." Robinson won the close fight by unanimous decision, using a dazzling left jab and jarring uppercuts.[15] LaMotta said the fight was given to Robinson because he would be inducted into the army the next day.[16]

A fourth fight, the duo's final 10 rounder, took place nearly two years after the third, on February 23, 1945, at Madison Square Garden, New York.[17] Robinson won again by a unanimous decision.

LaMotta and Robinson had their fifth bout at Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois on September 26, 1945. Robinson won by a very controversial split decision, contested over 12 rounds.[18] The decision was severely booed by the 14,755 people in attendance. LaMotta later said in his autobiography that the decision was widely criticized by several newspapers and boxing publishers. Robinson said afterward, "This was the toughest fight I've ever had with LaMotta."[19]

LaMotta vs. Fox

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On November 14, 1947, LaMotta was knocked out in the fourth round by Billy Fox. Suspecting the fight was fixed, the New York State Athletic Commission withheld purses for the fight and suspended LaMotta. The fight with Fox would come back to haunt him later in life, during a case with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In his testimony and in his later book, LaMotta admitted to throwing the fight to gain favor with the Mafia. All involved agreed the fix was obvious and their staging inept.

As LaMotta wrote,

The first round, a couple of belts to his head, and I see a glassy look coming over his eyes. Jesus Christ, a couple of jabs and he's going to fall down? I began to panic a little. I was supposed to be throwing a fight to this guy, and it looked like I was going to end up holding him on his feet... By [the fourth round], if there was anybody in the Garden who didn't know what was happening, he must have been dead drunk.[20]

The thrown fight and a payment of $20,000 to the Mafia got LaMotta his title bout against World Middleweight Champion Marcel Cerdan.[21]

LaMotta vs. Cerdan

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LaMotta won the World Middleweight title on June 16, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan, defeating Frenchman Marcel Cerdan.[22] LaMotta won the first round (in which he knocked Cerdan down), Cerdan the second, and the third was even. At that point it became clear something was wrong. Cerdan dislocated his arm in the first round, apparently damaged in the knockdown, and gave up before the start of the 10th round. LaMotta damaged his left hand in the fifth round, but still landed 104 punches in the ninth round, whereas Cerdan hardly threw a punch.[23] The official score had LaMotta as winner by a knockout in 10 rounds because the bell had already rung to begin that round when Cerdan announced he was quitting. A rematch was arranged, but while Cerdan was flying back to the United States to fight the rematch, his Air France Lockheed Constellation crashed in the Azores, killing everyone on board.[24]

World Middleweight Champion

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LaMotta made his first title defense against Tiberio Mitri on July 7, 1950, at Madison Square Garden, New York. LaMotta retained his title via unanimous decision. LaMotta's next defense came on September 13, 1950, against Laurent Dauthuille. Dauthuille had previously beaten LaMotta by decision before LaMotta became world champion. By the fifteenth round, Dauthuille was ahead on all scorecards (72–68, 74–66, 71–69) and seemed to be about to repeat a victory against LaMotta. LaMotta hit Dauthuille with a barrage of punches that sent him down against the ropes toward the end of the round. Dauthuille was counted out with 13 seconds left in the fight.[25] This fight was named Fight of the Year for 1950 by The Ring magazine.

Saint Valentine's Day Massacre of boxing

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Main article: Jake LaMotta vs. Sugar Ray Robinson VI

The sixth and final fight between LaMotta and Robinson took place at Chicago Stadium. This fight was scheduled for 15 rounds and was for the middleweight title.[13] Held on February 14, 1951, Saint Valentine's Day, the fight became known as boxing's version of the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre. In the last few rounds, LaMotta began to take a horrible beating and was soon unable to defend himself from Robinson's powerful blows. But LaMotta refused to go down. Robinson won by a technical knockout in the 13th round, when the fight was stopped.[26]

Light heavyweight

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LaMotta moved up to light heavyweight after losing his world middleweight title. He had poor results at first. He lost his debut against Bob Murphy, lost a split decision to Norman Hayes, and drew with Gene Hairston in his first three bouts. In his next three fights, LaMotta had rematches with Hayes, Hairston, and Murphy, and defeated all of them by unanimous decisions.

On December 31, 1952, LaMotta had his next fight against Danny Nardico. He knocked LaMotta down for the only time in his career (not counting his thrown 1947 fight) by a right hand in the seventh round. LaMotta got up and was beaten against a corner by Nardico until the bell rang. LaMotta's corner stopped the bout before the eighth round began.[27]

Following that fight, LaMotta took time off; when he returned, in early 1954,[28] he knocked out his first two opponents, Johnny Pretzie (TKO 4) and Al McCoy (KO 1), but a controversial split decision loss to Billy Kilgore on April 14, 1954, convinced him to retire.[29]

Post-boxing

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After retiring from the ring, LaMotta owned and managed a bar at 1120 Collins Ave in Miami Beach. He also became a stage actor and comedian. In 1958 he was arrested and charged with introducing men to an underage girl at a club he owned in Miami. He was convicted and served six months on a chain gang, although he maintained his innocence.[citation needed]

In 1960 LaMotta was called to testify before a U.S. Senate sub-committee that was looking into underworld influence on boxing. He testified that he had thrown his bout with Billy Fox so that the mob would arrange a title bout for him.[20]

LaMotta appeared in more than 15 films, including The Hustler (1961) with Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason, in which he had a role as a bartender.[30] He appeared in several episodes of the NBC police comedy Car 54 Where Are You? (1961–63). A lifelong baseball fan, he organized the Jake LaMotta All-Star Team in the Bronx. The LaMotta team played in Sterling Oval which was located between 165th and 164th Streets between Clay and Teller Avenue.[citation needed]

In 1965, LaMotta appeared as "Big Jule" in the New York City Center production of Guys and Dolls for 15 performances alongside Alan King and Jerry Orbach.[31]

Fighting style

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LaMotta is recognized as having had one of the best chins in boxing. He rolled with punches, minimizing their force and damage when they landed, but he was also able to absorb many blows.[10] In the Saint Valentine's Day Massacre, his sixth bout with Robinson, LaMotta suffered numerous severe blows to the head. Commentators could be heard saying "No man can take this kind of punishment!" But LaMotta did not go down. The fight was stopped by the referee in the 13th round, declaring it a TKO victory for Robinson.

LaMotta was one of the first boxers to adopt the "bully" style of fighting, in that he always stayed close and in punching range of his opponent, by stalking him around the ring, and sacrificed taking punches himself in order to land his own shots. Due to his aggressive, unrelenting style he was known as "The Bronx Bull".[32] He boasted "No son-of-a-bitch ever knocked me off my feet", but that claim was ended in December 1952 at the hands of Danny Nardico when Nardico caught him with a hard right in the seventh round. LaMotta fell into the ropes and went down. After regaining his footing, he was unable to come out for the next round.[33][34]

Raging Bull: My Story

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Raging Bull: My Story is a 1970 second edition of LaMotta's memoir. The autobiographical details include his life as a young teenage criminal; his reformation in prison; his extensive career as an amateur and professional boxer; his struggles with organized crime who kept a boxing title out of reach; and his jealous obsession with his wife, Vikki. The book details his life, from childhood until the end of his fame.

The first edition is:

  • La Motta, Jake with Carter, Joseph and Savage, Peter (1970). Raging Bull: My Story. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice-Hall [1970]. ISBN 0-13-752527-3.

Raging Bull

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Main article: Raging Bull

Hollywood executives approached LaMotta with the idea of a movie about his life, based on his 1970 memoir Raging Bull: My Story. The film, Raging Bull, released in 1980, was a box-office bomb, but eventually received overwhelming critical acclaim for both director Martin Scorsese and actor Robert De Niro, who gained about 60 pounds during the shooting of the film to play the older LaMotta in later scenes.

To accurately portray the younger LaMotta, De Niro trained with LaMotta until LaMotta felt he was ready to box professionally. De Niro lived in Paris for three months, eating at the finest restaurants in order to gain sufficient weight to portray LaMotta after retirement.[20] De Niro won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.

Later life

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LaMotta in the 1980s, with former wife Vikki LaMotta, right, actress Cathy Moriarty, left

LaMotta had a troubled personal life, including an early spell in a reformatory, and was married seven times. He admitted to having raped a woman, having beaten his wives and coming close to beating a man to death during a robbery.[35]

In February 1998, LaMotta's elder son, Jake LaMotta Jr., died of liver cancer.[10] In September 1998, his younger son, Joseph LaMotta, died in the crash of Swissair Flight 111.[10][36]

His nephew, John LaMotta, fought in the heavyweight-novice class of the 2001 Golden Gloves championship tournament.[37] John later became an actor, and one of his roles was as "Duke", who ran the bar of that name featured in the television comedy series Frasier. Another nephew, William Lustig, is a well-known director and producer of horror films and the president of Blue Underground, Inc.[38]

LaMotta had four daughters, including Christi by his second wife Vikki LaMotta and Stephanie by his fourth wife Dimitria. He married his seventh wife, his longtime fiancée Denise Baker, on January 4, 2013.[39] LaMotta remained active on the speaking and autograph circuit, and published several books about his career, his life, and his fights with Robinson.

LaMotta appeared in a 50-minute New York City stage production, Lady and the Champ, in July 2012. The production focused on LaMotta's boxing career, and was criticized by The New York Times as poorly executed and a "bizarre debacle".[40]

LaMotta is the subject of a documentary directed and produced by Greg Olliver. The film features an appearance by Mike Tyson among other notable athletes, actors and Jake's family and friends. Also in production was a sequel to Raging Bull, although MGM filed suit to halt the project, saying that LaMotta did not have the right to make a sequel. The lawsuit was settled on July 31, 2012, when LaMotta agreed to change the title of the film to The Bronx Bull.[41]

LaMotta: The Bronx Bull stars actor William Forsythe as LaMotta, while Paul Sorvino plays his father. It also features Joe Mantegna, Tom Sizemore, Penelope Ann Miller, Natasha Henstridge, Joey Diaz and Ray Wise.[42]

Death

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LaMotta died on September 19, 2017, from complications of pneumonia in a nursing home in Florida, at the age of 95.[43][6][9]

Professional boxing record

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106 fights 83 wins 19 losses
By knockout 30 4
By decision 53 15
Draws 4
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
106 Loss 83–19–4 Billy Kilgore SD 10 April 14, 1954 31 years, 278 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
105 Win 83–18–4 Al McCoy KO 1 (10), 1:10 April 3, 1954 31 years, 267 days Armory, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
104 Win 82–18–4 Johnny Pretzie TKO 4 (10), 1:42 Mar 11, 1954 31 years, 244 days Legion Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
103 Loss 81–18–4 Danny Nardico RTD 7 (10) Dec 31, 1952 30 years, 174 days Coliseum, Coral Gables, Florida, U.S.
102 Win 81–17–4 Bob Murphy UD 10 Jun 11, 1952 29 years, 337 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
101 Win 80–17–4 Gene Hairston UD 10 May 21, 1952 29 years, 316 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
100 Win 79–17–4 Norman Hayes UD 10 April 9, 1952 29 years, 274 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
99 Draw 78–17–4 Gene Hairston PTS 10 Mar 5, 1952 29 years, 239 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
98 Loss 78–17–3 Norman Hayes SD 10 Jan 28, 1952 29 years, 202 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
97 Loss 78–16–3 Irish Bob Murphy RTD 7 (10) Jun 27, 1951 28 years, 352 days Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York, U.S.
96 Loss 78–15–3 Sugar Ray Robinson TKO 13 (15), 2:04 Feb 14, 1951 28 years, 219 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
95 Win 78–14–3 Laurent Dauthuille KO 15 (15), 2:47 Sep 13, 1950 28 years, 65 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
94 Win 77–14–3 Tiberio Mitri UD 15 Jul 12, 1950 28 years, 2 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
93 Win 76–14–3 Joe Taylor UD 10 May 4, 1950 27 years, 298 days State Fair Coliseum, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
92 Win 75–14–3 Chuck Hunter TKO 6 (10), 0:59 Mar 28, 1950 27 years, 261 days Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
91 Win 74–14–3 Dick Wagner TKO 9 (10), 2:40 Feb 3, 1950 27 years, 208 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
90 Loss 73–14–3 Robert Villemain UD 10 Dec 9, 1949 27 years, 152 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
89 Win 73–13–3 Marcel Cerdan RTD 9 (15) Jun 16, 1949 26 years, 341 days Briggs Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Won NYSAC, NBA and The Ring middleweight titles
88 Win 72–13–3 Joey DeJohn TKO 8 (10), 2:41 May 18, 1949 26 years, 312 days State Fair Coliseum, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
87 Win 71–13–3 O'Neill Bell TKO 4 (10), 1:40 April 18, 1949 26 years, 282 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
86 Win 70–13–3 Robert Villemain SD 12 Mar 25, 1949 26 years, 258 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
85 Loss 69–13–3 Laurent Dauthuille UD 10 Feb 21, 1949 26 years, 226 days Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
84 Win 69–12–3 Tommy Yarosz UD 10 Dec 3, 1948 26 years, 146 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
83 Win 68–12–3 Vern Lester SD 10 Oct 18, 1948 26 years, 100 days Eastern Parkway Arena, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
82 Win 67–12–3 Johnny Colan TKO 10 (10), 1:32 Oct 1, 1948 26 years, 83 days St. Nicholas Rink, New York, U.S.
81 Win 66–12–3 Burl Charity TKO 5 (10) Sep 7, 1948 26 years, 59 days Park Arena, Bronx, New York, U.S.
80 Win 65–12–3 Ken Stribling TKO 5 (10), 2:46 Jun 1, 1948 25 years, 327 days Griffith Stadium, District of Columbia, U.S.
79 Loss 64–12–3 Billy Fox TKO 4 (10) Nov 14, 1947 25 years, 127 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
78 Loss 64–11–3 Cecil Hudson SD 10 Sep 3, 1947 25 years, 55 days Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
77 Win 64–10–3 Tony Janiro UD 10 Jun 6, 1947 24 years, 331 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
76 Win 63–10–3 Tommy Bell UD 10 Mar 14, 1947 24 years, 247 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
75 Win 62–10–3 Anton Raadik UD 10 Dec 6, 1946 24 years, 149 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
74 Win 61–10–3 O'Neill Bell KO 2 (10), 2:32 Oct 25, 1946 24 years, 107 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
73 Win 60–10–3 Bob Satterfield KO 7 (10), 1:50 Sep 12, 1946 24 years, 64 days Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
72 Win 59–10–3 Holman Williams UD 10 Aug 7, 1946 24 years, 28 days University of Detroit Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
71 Draw 58–10–3 Jimmy Edgar PTS 10 Jun 13, 1946 23 years, 338 days University of Detroit Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
70 Win 58–10–2 Joe Reddick UD 10 May 24, 1946 23 years, 318 days Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
69 Win 57–10–2 Marcus Lockman UD 10 Mar 29, 1946 23 years, 262 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
68 Win 56–10–2 Tommy Bell UD 10 Jan 11, 1946 23 years, 185 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
67 Win 55–10–2 Charley Parham TKO 6 (10), 0:59 Dec 7, 1945 23 years, 150 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
66 Win 54–10–2 Walter Woods KO 8 (10), 1:33 Nov 23, 1945 23 years, 136 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
65 Win 53–10–2 Coolidge Miller KO 3 (10), 2:51 Nov 13, 1945 23 years, 126 days Park Arena, Bronx, New York, U.S.
64 Loss 52–10–2 Sugar Ray Robinson SD 12 Sep 26, 1945 23 years, 78 days Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
63 Win 52–9–2 George Kochan TKO 9 (10), 0:54 Sep 7, 1945 23 years, 59 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
62 Win 51–9–2 José Basora TKO 9 (10) Aug 10, 1945 23 years, 31 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
61 Win 50–9–2 Tommy Bell UD 10 Jul 6, 1945 22 years, 361 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
60 Win 49–9–2 Bert Lytell SD 10 April 27, 1945 22 years, 291 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
59 Win 48–9–2 Vic Dellicurti UD 10 April 20, 1945 22 years, 284 days St. Nicholas Rink, New York, U.S.
58 Win 47–9–2 George Costner KO 6 (10) Mar 26, 1945 22 years, 259 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
57 Win 46–9–2 Lou Schwartz KO 1 (10), 2:30 Mar 19, 1945 22 years, 252 days U.S.O. Auditorium, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
56 Loss 45–9–2 Sugar Ray Robinson UD 10 Feb 23, 1945 22 years, 228 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
55 Win 45–8–2 George Kochan TKO 9 (10) Nov 3, 1944 22 years, 116 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
54 Win 44–8–2 George Kochan UD 10 Sep 29, 1944 22 years, 81 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
53 Loss 43–8–2 Lloyd Marshall UD 10 April 21, 1944 21 years, 286 days Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
52 Win 43–7–2 Lou Woods SD 10 Mar 31, 1944 21 years, 265 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
51 Win 42–7–2 Coley Welch UD 10 Mar 17, 1944 21 years, 251 days Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
50 Win 41–7–2 Ossie Harris SD 10 Feb 25, 1944 21 years, 230 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
49 Win 40–7–2 Ossie Harris SD 10 Jan 28, 1944 21 years, 202 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
48 Win 39–7–2 Fritzie Zivic UD 10 Jan 14, 1944 21 years, 188 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
47 Win 38–7–2 Fritzie Zivic SD 10 Nov 12, 1943 21 years, 125 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
46 Win 37–7–2 Johnny Walker TKO 2 (10), 0:53 Oct 11, 1943 21 years, 93 days Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
45 Win 36–7–2 José Basora UD 10 Sep 17, 1943 21 years, 69 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
44 Loss 35–7–2 Fritzie Zivic SD 15 Jul 12, 1943 21 years, 2 days Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
43 Win 35–6–2 Fritzie Zivic SD 10 Jun 10, 1943 20 years, 335 days Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
42 Win 34–6–2 Tony Ferrara KO 6 (10) May 12, 1943 20 years, 306 days Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
41 Win 33–6–2 Ossie Harris UD 10 Mar 30, 1943 20 years, 263 days Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40 Win 32–6–2 Jimmy Reeves KO 6 (10) Mar 19, 1943 20 years, 252 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
39 Loss 31–6–2 Sugar Ray Robinson UD 10 Feb 26, 1943 20 years, 231 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
38 Win 31–5–2 Sugar Ray Robinson UD 10 Feb 5, 1943 20 years, 210 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
37 Win 30–5–2 Charley Hayes TKO 6 (10) Jan 22, 1943 20 years, 196 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
36 Win 29–5–2 California Jackie Wilson PTS 10 Jan 15, 1943 20 years, 189 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
35 Win 28–5–2 Jimmy Edgar SD 10 Jan 1, 1943 20 years, 175 days Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
34 Win 27–5–2 Henryk Chmielewski UD 10 Nov 6, 1942 20 years, 119 days Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
33 Win 26–5–2 Bill McDowell TKO 5 (8), 0:44 Oct 20, 1942 20 years, 102 days Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
32 Loss 25–5–2 Sugar Ray Robinson UD 10 Oct 2, 1942 20 years, 84 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
31 Win 25–4–2 Vic Dellicurti PTS 10 Sep 8, 1942 20 years, 60 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
30 Win 24–4–2 Jimmy Edgar PTS 10 Aug 28, 1942 20 years, 49 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
29 Win 23–4–2 Lorenzo Strickland PTS 8 Jul 28, 1942 20 years, 18 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
28 Loss 22–4–2 José Basora PTS 10 Jun 16, 1942 19 years, 341 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
27 Win 22–3–2 Vic Dellicurti PTS 10 Jun 2, 1942 19 years, 327 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
26 Draw 21–3–2 José Basora PTS 10 May 12, 1942 19 years, 306 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
25 Win 21–3-1 Buddy O'Dell PTS 10 April 21, 1942 19 years, 285 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
24 Win 20–3–1 Lou Schwartz KO 9 (10) April 7, 1942 19 years, 271 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
23 Win 19–3–1 Lorenzo Strickland PTS 10 Mar 18, 1942 19 years, 251 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
22 Win 18–3–1 Frankie Jamison PTS 8 Mar 3, 1942 19 years, 236 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
21 Win 17–3–1 Frankie Jamison PTS 8 Jan 27, 1942 19 years, 201 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
20 Loss 16–3–1 Nate Bolden MD 10 Dec 22, 1941 19 years, 165 days Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
19 Win 16–2–1 Jimmy Casa PTS 6 Nov 14, 1941 19 years, 127 days Madison Square Garden, New York, U.S.
18 Loss 15–2–1 Jimmy Reeves UD 10 Oct 20, 1941 19 years, 102 days Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
17 Win 15–1–1 Lorenzo Strickland PTS 8 Oct 7, 1941 19 years, 89 days Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
16 Loss 14–1–1 Jimmy Reeves SD 10 Sep 24, 1941 19 years, 76 days Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
15 Win 14–0–1 Cliff Koerkle PTS 6 Aug 11, 1941 19 years, 32 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
14 Draw 13–0–1 Joe Shikula PTS 6 Aug 5, 1941 19 years, 26 days Queensboro Arena, Long Island City, Queens, New York, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Joe Baynes PTS 6 Jul 15, 1941 19 years, 5 days Queensboro Arena, Long Island City, Queens, New York, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Johnny Morris KO 3 (6) Jun 23, 1941 18 years, 348 days Starlight Park, Bronx, New York, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Lorenzo Strickland PTS 6 Jun 16, 1941 18 years, 341 days Starlight Park, Bronx, New York, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Lorenzo Strickland PTS 4 Jun 9, 1941 18 years, 334 days Queensboro Arena, Woodhaven, Queens, New York, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Johnny Morris PTS 4 May 27, 1941 18 years, 321 days New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Johnny Cihlar PTS 4 May 20, 1941 18 years, 314 days Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Monroe Crewe PTS 4 April 26, 1941 18 years, 290 days Ridgewood Grove, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Lorne McCarthy PTS 4 April 22, 1941 18 years, 286 days Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Stanley Goicz PTS 4 April 15, 1941 18 years, 279 days Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Joe Fredericks TKO 1 (4), 1:36 April 8, 1941 18 years, 272 days Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Johnny Morris TKO 4 (4) April 1, 1941 18 years, 265 days Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Tony Gillo PTS 6 Mar 14, 1941 18 years, 247 days Pyramid Mosque, Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Charley Mackley PTS 4 Mar 3, 1941 18 years, 236 days St. Nicholas Rink, New York, U.S.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Jake LaMotta". boxrec.com. BoxRec. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  2. ^ https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/9030 [bare URL]
  3. ^ "Ring Magazine's 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years". Boxing.about.com. March 1, 2013. Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  4. ^ "Ranking THE RING's 31 middleweight champions". The Ring. September 8, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  5. ^ "Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees - UPI Archives". UPI.
  6. ^ a b c d e Goldstein, Richard (September 20, 2017). "Jake LaMotta, 'Raging Bull in and Out of the Ring, Dies at 95". The New York Times. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  7. ^ "Biography : Official Jake Lamotta Website". Officialjakelamotta.com. Archived from the original on November 9, 2013. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  8. ^ "elizabeth LaMotta Obit - Newspapers.com". The Record. July 11, 1984. p. 54.
  9. ^ a b c "Raging Bull boxing legend Jake LaMotta dies". ABC News. September 21, 2017.
  10. ^ a b c d "International Boxing Hall of Fame profile". Ibhof.com. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  11. ^ Hevesi, Dennis (May 15, 2010). "Richard LaMotta, Creator of Chipwich Ice Cream Sandwich, Dies at 67". The New York Times.
  12. ^ Raging Bull: My Story (p. 112)
  13. ^ a b c d e Sweet Thunder
  14. ^ "Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta (2nd meeting)". Boxrec.com (May 10, 2006). Retrieved on April 7, 2012.
  15. ^ "Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta (3rd meeting)". Boxrec.com (May 10, 2006). Retrieved on April 7, 2012.
  16. ^ Gibson, Paul (February 8, 2016). "How Sugar Ray Robinson made Jake La Motta his bloody Valentine in 1951". The Guardian.
  17. ^ Box-Rec & Sweet Thunder
  18. ^ Sweet Thunder & Box-Rec
  19. ^ "Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta (5th meeting)". Boxrec.com (May 10, 2006). Retrieved on April 7, 2012.
  20. ^ a b c Merron, Jeff (January 7, 2008). "Reel Life: 'Raging Bull'". ESPN.com.
  21. ^ Edmonds, Edmund P.; Manz, William H., eds. (2005). Congress and Boxing: A Legislative History 1960–2003. Vol. 1. Buffalo, New York: William S. Hein & Co., Inc.
  22. ^ "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  23. ^ "Marcel Cerdan vs. Jake LaMotta", Boxrec.com, May 30, 2007; retrieved September 8, 2015.
  24. ^ Lockheed L-749-79-46 Constellation F-BAZN's accident description and causes (Flight Safety Foundation). Aviation-safety.net (October 28, 1949). Retrieved on September 20, 2017.
  25. ^ Peretz, Howard G. It Ain't Over 'Till The Fat Lady Sings: The 100 Greatest Sports Finishes of All Time. Barnes and Nobles Books.
  26. ^ Parkinson, Nick (February 14, 2016). "Rewind to 1951: St. Valentine's Day Massacre". ESPN.com.
  27. ^ "Jake LaMotta vs. Danny Nardico", Boxrec.com; accessed September 8, 2015.
  28. ^ "Giacobe LaMotta," in: Dana R. Barnes (Ed.), Notable Sports Figures. Farmington Hills, Mich.: Gale, 2004. Retrieved via Biography in Context database, September 22, 2017. "He had no matches in 1953 and fought his final three in 1954."
  29. ^ Brady, James (September 21, 2017). "Jake LaMotta's best fights should be remembered more than 'Raging Bull'". SBNation. sbnation.com. Retrieved September 22, 2017.
  30. ^ Crowther, Bosley (September 27, 1961). "The Hustler (review)". The New York Times. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  31. ^ "Guys and Dolls (Broadway, City Center, 1965) | Playbill".
  32. ^ "Jake La Motta", Encyclopædia Britannica; accessed September 8, 2015.
  33. ^ "James Looks To Title Bid As Jake Loses", Deseret News, January 1, 1953.
  34. ^ "Jake LaMotta vs Danny Nardico" on YouTube.
  35. ^ Rawling, John (September 21, 2017). "Jack LaMotta obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
  36. ^ "Americas Boxing champ sues over plane crash son". BBC News. September 10, 1998. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  37. ^ "NY Times – 2001 Golden Gloves". New York Daily News.
  38. ^ Nephew Jason Lustig
  39. ^ "The raging bull who refuses to give up fight with life". Timesonline.co.uk. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  40. ^ Jaworowski, Ken (July 24, 2012). "Theater Review: "Lady and the Champ", With Jake LaMotta". The New York Times. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  41. ^ "MGM Settling 'Raging Bull 2' Lawsuit; Jake LaMotta Movie Changing Title to 'The Bronx Bull'". The Hollywood Reporter. August 1, 2012. Retrieved August 1, 2012.
  42. ^ "The Bronx Bull". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved August 2, 2015.
  43. ^ Robbins, Josh (September 20, 2017). "Jake LaMotta dead: Family members report passing of 'Raging Bull' boxing legend aged 96". International Business Times UK. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
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Wikiquote has quotations related to Jake LaMotta.
Achievements
Preceded by World Middleweight Champion
June 16, 1949 – February 14, 1951 		Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Previous:
Al Hostak 		Oldest Living World Champion
August 13, 2006 – September 19, 2017 		Next:
Robert Cohen
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