[12] LaMotta knocked Robinson down in the first round of the fight. LaMotta won the first round (in which he knocked Cerdan down), Cerdan the second, and the third was even. [17] LaMotta won the first round (in which he knocked Cerdan down), Cerdan the second, and the third was even. The 1949 World Middleweight title fight between Champion Marcel Cerdan and The Bronx Bull Jake LaMotta. June 16, 1949:Briggs Stadium, Detroit, Michigan. Jake LaMotta vs. Billy Fox. Cerdan was thrown to the floor in round 1 injuring his left shoulder while LaMotta injured his left hand in the third or fourth. Valentines Massacre was the sixth and final chapter in the great rivalry between Robinson and The Bronx Bull, the match attracting a big crowd to Chicago Stadium and a huge audience on home television. Although each fight was close and LaMotta dropped Robinson to the canvas multiple times, LaMotta won only one of the bouts. LaMotta's record at the time was 72-13-3.Marcel Cerdan is a relatively forgotten fighter in the history of boxing which is a shame, because he was actually a very talented welterweight and middleweight competitor from France with an incredible 111 wins and only 3 losses, 2 of which were by DQ. Cerdan was killed in a plane crash in the Azores on October 27, 1949. LaMotta later said in his autobiography that the decision was widely criticized by several newspapers and boxing publishers. 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. And LaMotta isnt faking, not this time, and Cerdan knows it. [12] The eighth round was historic. The film features an appearance by Mike Tyson among other notable athletes, actors and Jake's family and friends. LaMotta is pliant, almost willing. LaMottas 89 th fight was his first title shot and he won the welterweight championship over Marcel Cerdan in 1949 when the champion didnt come out for the 10 th round. 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. Both men would suffer injuries hindering their performance during this brutal fight. By betting on himself, LaMottas $6,000 windfall in addition to his $19,171.50 purse allowed him to make up the $20,000 he paid to get the title shot. June 16, 1949:Briggs Stadium, Detroit, Michigan. (196163). Boxing History: June 16, 1949 Jake LaMotta KO 10 Marcel Cerdan, Detroit. LaMotta with a black eye by decision in a great contest. [41], LaMotta: The Bronx Bull stars actor William Forsythe as LaMotta, while Paul Sorvino plays his father. To accurately portray the younger LaMotta, De Niro trained with LaMotta until LaMotta felt he was ready to box professionally. In a bout of some note: The American is tough, all right. Check it out: 12. Although the Bronx Bull had suffered previous defeats and bad beatings, LaMotta had never gone down before his light-heavyweight title eliminator with Danny Nardico. French boxer Marcel Cerdan and Jake LaMotta. Maybe he cant. Cerdan, who lost only 4 of 113 professional bouts, was killed in a plane crash on his way back to the U.S. for a rematch with LaMotta. LaMotta fought Sugar Ray Robinson in Robinson's middleweight debut at Madison Square Garden, New York, October 2, 1942. LaMotta, who won the world middleweight crown from France's Marcel Cerdan in 1949, fought Robinson six times and became the first man to beat boxing's best ever with a 10-round decision win in 1943. How much had LaMotta's last and most famous fight with Sugar Ray Robinson taken out of him and contributed to this crushing defeat? LaMotta has pretty much napped since the fight began. Jan. 14, 1891: Bob Fitzsimmons KO 13 Jack (The Nonpareil) Dempsey. LAMOTTA VS. MARCEL CERDAN, JUNE 16, 1949 LaMotta defeated Cerdan of France to win the middleweight title in Detroit. Jake LaMotta, portrayed by Robert De Niro in the 1980 biographical film Raging Bull, was a punishing fighter specializing in close-in combat and body blows rather than knockouts.He compiled an 83-19-4 record from 1951 to 1954 with 30 knockouts and was never sent to the canvas until his 103 rd fight.. LaMottas 89 th fight was his first title shot and he won the Tottering, he falls on his face. The film, Raging Bull, released in 1980, was initially only a minor box office success, 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. 7. Hes getting tired, thinks LaMotta, he peaked too soon. Valentines Jake LaMotta Total fights: 106 Wins: 83Wins by KO: 30even though he was not a very big puncher.he could dish out a vicious beating as well as take one An overhand right smashes into LaMottas nose. 10. How To Record Whatsapp Video Call With Audio On Iphone, LaMotta is recognized as having had one of the best chins in boxing. In the third, Cerdan drives LaMotta toward the ropes, planning to deliver the kind of massive uppercut that finished Zale in the 11th round of their championship bout. All three judges for the fight were local and all were well respected. Made his career beating up welterweights. Robinson won by a technical knockout in the 13th round, when the fight was stopped. 2018 Islamic Center of Cleveland. [39], LaMotta is the subject of a documentary directed and produced by Greg Olliver. At that point it became clear something was wrong. Jake LaMotta vs. Marcel Cerdan II: What might have been, Benitez withdraws from Shobox fight against Pedraza with injury, Marco Huck vs. Firat Arslan preview & prediction, Jose Ramirez vs Josh Taylor Big Fight Preview & Predictions, EXCLUSIVE: Isaac Chamberlain Setbacks & Comebacks. And not only fought, but gave LaMotta a hard time. Cerdan underestimated and misjudged the champ. April 6, 1987: Sugar Ray Leonard W12 Marvelous Marvin Hagler. (Check). At that point it became clear something was wrong. LaMotta lost a much less controversial decision. After the Zale fight Marcel returned to Europe where he had a couple of non title fights stopping Dick Turpin and Lucien Krawczyk. Commentators could be heard saying "No man can take this kind of punishment!" [19] De Niro won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance. A sell-out crowd at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, and millions on closed-circuit television, witnessed one of the most thrilling brawls in boxing history with both warriors stunned in a hellacious opening round, perhaps the greatest since Dempsey vs Firpo, before a cut Hagler rallied to batter The Motor City Cobra into helplessness in round three. LaMotta won the LaMotta won the first round (in which he knocked Cerdan down), Cerdan the second, and the third was even. At the fourth bell, the Clouter appears to follow his usual angry-bees approach to devastation and victory. LaMotta won the title by The dreaded word to hear in connection with a boxing match. [20], LaMotta won the World Middleweight title on June 16, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan, defeating Frenchman Marcel Cerdan. The round ends with LaMotta puzzling over just what was going wrong, knowing only that he shouldnt have taken the tempting bait his opponent had so cleverly dangled before him. Instead of Cerdan, LaMotta defeated his title against Tiberio Mitri on the 7 July 1950 at Madison Square Garden in New York which he won. Cerdan apparently dislocated his arm early in the bout, but it was still a good one, with . LaMotta started his career back in 1941 as a light-heavyweight before quickly trimming down and finding fame as a middleweight. Burt surgar thinks Cerdan is the better fight would have easily beat Lamotta. 10. In the sixth round, LaMotta floored Reeves, who was only down for a second. Theres the opening bell. Some connect, sure, but most are picked off. Jake LaMotta vs. Billy Fox. Cerdan prepares to defend himself against an oncoming Jake Lamotta. Jake LaMotta vs Roberto Duran at 160lbs 07-13-2008, 04:49 PM . An opponents defense, however able, meant little to him. He stands, but he doesnt delivernot yet. ", Of the experience of being knocked down for the first time, LaMotta said: "You don't feel anything, it just happens. Marcel Cerdan (111-4-0, 65 KOs), European middleweight champ, faced world champion Tony Zale for the title on September 21, 1948 (Ring Magazines Fight of the Year). Cerdan grows in confidence. In spite of his injury and in spite of a severe beating in the first round Cerdan won the second round big and the third and fifth by lesser margins. What would have happened in LaMotta-Cerdan II? LaMotta defeated Cerdan of France to win the middleweight title in Detroit. Cerdan's corner threw in the towel after 9 rounds and the World Middleweight title awarded to Jake LaMotta.A rematch was scheduled between the 2 boxers however in October 1949, Cerdan died in a plane crash on his way back to the USA. Either I lose the Fox fight or I dont get a chance for the title. And, once more, the champ unleashes a barrage. At that point it became clear something was wrong. (You must log in or sign up to reply here. This highly anticipated unification match had been postponed due to the terror attacks of 9/11, so when it did take place 18 days later at Madison Square Garden it becamean emotional event signalling New Yorks determination to carry on. LaMotta won the first round (also knocking Cerdan down), Cerdan the second and the third was even. His hitting was almost non-stop, regardless of where he was in the ring or how he was positioned in respect to his challenger. Fox was known for his speed and delivering rapid blows, but he was no match for the slugger LaMotta. A key difference between Pete in real life and Joey in Scorseses Oscar-winning classic is that Pete does not yield to the mobs insatiable demands. He successfully defended the France Middleweight title twice before moving on to capture the vacant European Middleweight title in 1947. [10], LaMotta learned to box while in a reformatory in upstate New York, where he'd been sent for attempted robbery. Oc says: September 22, 2017 at 5:03 am. Marcel Cerdan, French boxing legend, KO'd the supposedly unbeatable Tony Zale in 1948 to win the middleweight title, but a dislocated shoulder forced him to surrender it to Jake LaMotta in 1949. Cerdan's first defense of the belt, would be against Jake LaMotta.Although the footage above doesn't clearly show it, both fighters were injured at various points during the bout vastly affecting their performance. 8. The Raging Bull got up, apparently no worse for wear. Together they were, arguably, pound-for-pound, the two best active fighters in the world. LaMotta won the World Middleweight title on June 16, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan, defeating Frenchman Marcel Cerdan. A native New Yorker, Clarence George is a lifelong aficionado of the Sweet Science. He also became a stage actor and comedian. LaMotta's six-fight rivalry with Sugar Ray Robinson was one of the most notable in the sport. He returned to the States to make the first defense of the title against Jake LaMotta on June 6, 1949 at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, Michigan. Zale was as shot as shot gets when he fought Cerdan and his performance showed that. [Also See: Top 10 Middleweights of All-Time Where do LaMotta and Cerdan rank?]. The American is tough, all right. I know from personal experience the agony of a dislocated shoulder (a pain dreamed up by the Marquis de Sade himself), and its nothing short of jaw-dropping that Cerdan continued the fight for another eight rounds one-armed and in terrible pain. But the former champ rallies and counters. Butwhats this? After boxing, LaMotta worked as a bar and nightclub owner and appeared in 15 films. A couple years ago, when everyone was getting set for the long-awaited confrontation between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, we put together a list of the biggest welterweight fights, the matches at 147 which were most memorable and significant. Cerdan injured his left shoulder when LaMotta threw him to the canvas in the first round. The difference is LaMotta also fought his fair share of ranked middleweights and light heavyweights. As the result of a shove more than a blow, the champ and his challenger tumbled to the mat. LaMotta won the world title on June 16, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan, defeating Frenchman Marcel Cerdan. [citation needed], 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. One of the greatest and biggest superfights in the legendary Four Kings series, Hagler vs Hearns became a truly huge event after Sugar Ray Leonard retired and then both men notched wins over Roberto Duran. LaMotta won 83 of 106 paid bouts, was world middleweight champion between 1949 and 1951 and made two defences. And not only fought, but gave LaMotta a hard time. It was the record-setting superfight that few at the time saw coming, with Leonard unexpectedly emerging from retirement to challenge the dominant and undisputed middleweight champion who had not lost a fight in 11 years. 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. LaMotta has pretty much napped since the fight began. But in the seventh Cerdan does indeed punch LaMotta toward the ropes. There was a crowd of 22,183 at Briggs Stadium. In 1958 he was arrested and charged with introducing men to an underage girl at a club he owned in Miami. "That's what I want, they told me I would get Moore if I won this one," Nardico was reported to have said after the fight in The Miami News. Reeves was blinking his eyes and shaking his head as the referee counted him out. LaMotta won the World Middleweighttitle on June 16, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan, defeating FrenchmanMarcel Cerdan. The fight was stopped by the referee in the 13th round, declaring it a TKO victory for Robinson. The Senate hearing in 1960 signaled the end of the mobs involvement with professional boxing. Aggressive from the opening bell, he knew just what punches, singly and in combination, to deliver. In his most recent fight, LaMotta TKO'd former WWII naval boxer Joey DeJohn (60-3-2) in 8 rounds. He rolled with punches, minimizing their force and damage when they landed, but he was also able to absorb many blows. Jake LaMotta won the National Boxing Association World middleweight title by a TKO 10. Fights broke out around the ring and the crowd continued to boo for 20 minutes. And while it was a battle between the middleweight and welterweight champions, Walker gave away only seven pounds, not a troubling difference considering that five months before The Toy Bulldog had defeated light heavyweight Mike McTigue. [9] 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. Whether these brawlers are pummeling a competitor with brutal jabs, hooks and uppercuts, leveling opponents with roundhouse kicks or grappling a foe to the mat, they've all made us feel their. The Algerian-born Frenchman wasnt nearly so lucky, dislocating his shoulder and rendering the arm useless. But LaMotta refused to go down. In 1951 Jake LaMotta would meet Sugar Ray Robinson for the 6th and final time, losing his World Middleweight title by TKO in one of the most bloodiest fights ever on record, the now famous \"St. Valentine's Day Massacre\". He covers up, and Cerdan pounds him like a rug. I know from personal experience the agony of a dislocated shoulder (a pain dreamed up by the Marquis de Sade himself), and its nothing short of jaw-dropping that Cerdan continued the fight for another eight rounds one-armed and in terrible pain. After the Zale fight Marcel returned to Europe where he had a couple of non title fights stopping Dick Turpin and Lucien Krawczyk. Due to his hard style of fighting, LaMotta often took as much as he dished out in an era of great middleweights. Robinson got up and took control over much of the fight, winning via a unanimous 10-round decision. Boxing pound-for-pound rankings: Bivol keeps winning and moving up; Haney earns top 10 spot, A megafight is set: Here's what's at stake when Gervonta Davis faces Ryan Garcia in April, Gervonta Davis' arrest history: Timeline of abuse and hit-and-run charges and denials, Steve Bunce's British Boxing Preview to 2018, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.