Boxing legend Jake LaMotta has passed away at age 95. The middleweight champion amassed a record of 83-19 with 30 knockouts. His aggressive style was the basis of the Robert Scorsese movie Raging Bull with Robert DeNiro portraying LaMotta. It was filmed in black and white and is considered one of the best movies of all time.
Rest In Peace to former middleweight champion, the legendary #JakeLaMotta. pic.twitter.com/wUl1KZaMOm
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) September 20, 2017
The Boxing Hall of Famer ironically began his career in 1941 after being rejected by the military for medical reasons. He had the reputation of fighting aggressively and being able to absorb a beating. He is well known for his six fights with Sugar Ray Robinson. LaMotta handed Robinson the only loss in his career.
RIP Jake LaMotta. “Many are called but few are chosen” pic.twitter.com/LHA84vBPmQ
— Paul Silky Jones (@PSilkyJones) September 20, 2017
In 1947, he was knocked out by Billy Fox. He later admitted that he threw the fight to appease mobsters. LaMotta had his last fight in 1954.
They finally got him down.. RIP The Raging Bull..#jakelamotta #TheRagingBull pic.twitter.com/4dLeP25a8B
— The Judge (@TheJudge1999) September 20, 2017
Video of LaMotta’s fighting highlights is below.
“I was able to convince my body that I could take it and nobody could hurt me,” LaMotta said in 2012. “I might’ve gotten cut, stitches over my eyes. Broken nose. Broken hands. But I never really got hurt.”
#BREAKINGNEWS: Boxer Jake LaMotta, whose life was depicted in Oscar-winning film "Raging Bull," dies at 95https://t.co/bbgsSr9EBQ pic.twitter.com/hGbUr5zEuB
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) September 20, 2017
LaMotta defied a lot of odds by living such a long life after taking repeated punches to the head in the ring. This legend is certainly one that is irreplaceable. We are unlikely to see anyone like Jake LaMotta again.
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Source: NY Daily News