Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta

Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Jake LaMotta

Date	October 2, 1942-Febuary 14, 1951
Title(s) on the line	NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles (1951)
Tale of the tape
Boxer Sugar Ray Robinson Jake LaMotta Nickname Sugar Raging Bull Hometown Ailey, Georgia New York City, New York Pre-fight record 121-1-2 78-14-3 Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) 5 ft 8 in (173 cm) Weight 155 lb (70 kg) 160 lb (73 kg) Style Orthodox Orthodox Recognition NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight champion NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight champion

Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta had a historic boxing rivalry, fighting each other on six separate occasions between 1942 and 1951. Robinson won the series 5–1, although many of the fights were close, with LaMotta handing Robinson his first ever loss (and would remain his only loss for nearly a decade). The most famous of their encounters was their sixth and final fight, a world middleweight title match later dubbed The Saint Valentine's Day Massacre due to its brutality, with the champion LaMotta taking tremendous punishment from Robinson in the later rounds.

Background

Both fighters had begun their careers in the 1940s, and their first meeting would take place relatively early into both men's careers. Going into the first fight, LaMotta had a decent record of 25–4–2, gaining a reputation as a tough fighter (all of his loses up to this point were on points, many were controversial). Robinson on the other had was a rising star, with an undefeated record of 35-0 going into the first bout along with an undefeated 85-0 amateur career before.

Both men had very different fighting styles, LaMotta was a classic swarmer, relentlessly pursuing his opponents while constantly throwing barrages of punches to overpower his opponents. Meanwhile, Robinson had a much more fluid style depending upon the opponent, either boxing from the outside with precision or brawling at close quarters. These conflicting styles combined with their respective courage and durability made them naturally tough opponents for each other.

Fights

Initial fights (1942-1945)

Robinson and LaMotta fought for the first time on October 2, 1942, the fight being held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Despite Robinson holding a height and reach advantage over his opponent, LaMotta was heavier coming in at 158 pounds compared Robinson at 145. The undefeated Robinson was given 5:1 odds to win the fight, and went on to dominate most of the fight, outboxing LaMotta to a unanimous decision victory, with unofficial scorecards from newspapers giving LaMotta only two of the ten rounds.

The pair would have a rematch seven months later on May 2, 1943, this time at Olympia Stadium in Detroit. LaMotta came into this fight even heavier than before at 160 pounds, while Robinson weighed 144 pounds. Robinson was once again a favorite, this time having 3:1 odds of defeating his opponent. LaMotta fought much more aggressively this time, keeping constant pressure on Robinson throughout the fight. In the eighth round, LaMotta landed a right to the body followed by a left hook to the head which send Robinson falling backwards and through the ropes. Robinson was nearly knocked out, but was saved by the bell at the referee's count of nine. Robinson survived the rest of the fight but ultimately lost on points in another unanimous decision (scored 52–47, 55-45 and 57–49). This defeat would mark the end of Robinson's undefeated win streak of 40 professional fights along with his undefeated amateur record (though he would soon begin another impressive streak).

A third fight was held 21 days later at the same venue, Robinson looking to avenge his loss from LaMotta. Robinson utilized his boxing skills to full effect in this fight, jabbing from a distance and countering LaMotta's pressure effectively. Despite this the fight was still difficult, and Robinson was badly hurt in the seventh round, being knocked down and later admitting that he chose to stay down for the full eight count to recover. Robinson rallied this time, and after going the ten round distance, Robinson won another unanimous decision (51–49, 56-44 and 53–47).

The fourth fight was held on February 23, 1945, once again held at Madison Square Garden. LaMotta suffered a cut over the forehead in the opening round, but fought on. Like the third fight, Robinson utilized his boxing skills and scored well for most of the fight, despite surviving a scare in the sixth round when he was trapped in a corner and forced to take punishment. The fight was another victory for Robinson who won the fight 6–4, 6-3 and 7–1.

The fifth fight was held on September 26, 1945, at Comiskey Park in Chicago. This would be the closest fight of the series, with LaMotta fighting aggressively to defeat his old rival. Unlike the previous fights, the fight was held for 12 rounds instead of ten. LaMotta hoped that this would give him an advantage, but Robinson stacked up a wide lead early in the fight before pulling back the pace to fight more cautiously in the later rounds. Robinson won yet again, but this time it was a very close split decision (61–59, 61-59 and 57–63), which the crowd booed. Robinson would later state that this was his hardest fight with LaMotta.

Interlude

The fifth fight between the pair would be the duo's final fight for over five years. During the later half of the decade, both men rose through the ranks of their respective weight classes. Robinson remained undefeated since his loss to LaMotta back in 1943, and went on to win the world welterweight title in 1946, a title he successfully defended five times before moving up in weight to fight for the middleweight title. LaMotta would go on to win the world middleweight title in 1949 after defeating champion Marcel Cerdan. LaMotta would defend his world title two times before facing of with Robinson for a final time in 1951.

Title fight

Robinson and LaMotta fought each other for the final time on February 14, 1951, at the Chicago Stadium. This fight would be held for the world's middleweight title, now held by LaMotta. Robinson entered the fight a 3:1 favorite over LaMotta. The champion started the fight swinging, and fought effectively in the early rounds, but soon found himself falling behind under Robinson's onslaught of combinations and counter punches. Robinson stacked together a wide lead over the course of the next ten rounds, but in the 11th, Robinson was hurt by LaMotta, who pounded away at the challenger unanswered in an attempt to put his opponent down. Despite the pressure, Robinson eventually responded with a barrage of his own punches, battering the now exhausted champion for the remainder of the round.

Robinson continued to punish LaMotta in the subsequent rounds. Robinson once again gave LaMotta another beating in the 12th, but was unable to put the champion down. In the 13th round, Robinson continued to pummel the hurt champion, who amazingly was able to stay standing under the constant punching. Robinson sent LaMotta against the ropes, and following a brutal series of unanswered punches which seem were finally going to send the champion down, referee Frank Sikora rushed in to end the fight. Robinson won the fight via TKO, two minutes and four seconds into the 13th round. Robinson was now the new middleweight champion of the world.

Legacy

Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta's rivalry is regarded as one of the greatest in boxing history. The fights between the two fighters are a major plot point of Martin Scorsese's critically acclaimed film Raging Bull, which starred Robert De Niro as LaMotta.