The Original Raging Bull—Some questions and facts

[physiker]

Hello all.

I recently saw the movie again. But this time, it was the special edition, which had much commentary by Jake LaMotta that I hadn’t heard before. People here might be interested to know what he said about his punching power. He said that he was weight drained in coming down to middleweight, and that he had a perfect record as a light heavy. He added that he knocked out all his opponents when he fought as a light heavyweight.

Does anyone here know if this is true?

Some of what he said in the commentary is debatable. He seemed to want to deny some of the bad things he said in his own book, which I read years ago. It was a good read; but he was much more horrible than the movie showed.

He had robbed a candy store or bodega type store (before it was called that) and beat the man so badly that he was sure he had killed him as he fled. He worried about being arrested at any time for years, until he was shocked to see the man alive. He had somehow survived. I also recall LaMotta admitting to being a serial rapist. He wrote that he was actually impotent unless he was raping. One was his friend's girlfriend--just as he severely beat up his best friend. The latter was falsely portrayed in the movie as his brother (Joe Pesci).

Not a very decent human being, at least in his younger years, but does anyone here know if he was being truthful about his record as a light heavy? (No super middle in those days.)

Thanks.

[oaklandstephen]

http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?hum...9030&cat=boxer

[physiker]

Thanks Oakland.
It does not appear to be accurate. Nearly so in his early years. (Not counting Billy Fox, which we know he threw.)

But several losses as a light heavy near the end of his career. ANd he fought at 188 lbs once near the end.

[physiker]

One other thing I recall vividly from the book is about the St. Valentine's day loss to SRR.

He said that despite not "going down" he basically collapsed in his corner and had to get oxygen before leaving after everyone else left. Too proud for a quick stretcher or such.

[Monkz]

Thanks Oakland.
It does not appear to be accurate. Nearly so in his early years. (Not counting Billy Fox, which we know he threw.)

But several losses as a light heavy near the end of his career. ANd he fought at 188 lbs once near the end.

That was Johnny Pretzie that weighed 188 Jake was 169ľ.

Maybe you can help me, I remember hearing there was an up n' coming fighter that had Hollywood star looks and LaMotta hated him and when they fought Jake broke his nose, but for the life of me I can't remember his name. Any ideas?

[physiker]

Thanks for correcting me on reading the boxrec stats.

You are thinking of Tony Janiro. "He ain't pretty no more."
But unlike the film, boxrec shows it was not a KO, but a UD for LaMotta.

[Monkz]

Thanks for correcting me on reading the boxrec stats.

You are thinking of Tony Janiro. "He ain't pretty no more."
But unlike the film, boxrec shows it was not a KO, but a UD for LaMotta.

That's him! thanks physiker,

[physiker]

Thanks Monkz.
You'd probably like the book--a helluva read. They don't make em like him any more.
And so many differences with the film.

[Monkz]

Thanks Monkz.
You'd probably like the book--a helluva read. They don't make em like him any more.
And so many differences with the film.

I'd love to read the book, I've heard it paints a much more graphic LaMotta than the one shown in the movie. A bad guy but he was a warrior.

[physiker]

Probably the way to get it now might be your library or interlibrary loan, or maybe used at Amazon?
just checked--used for 3 bucks there.