Jake Lamotta vs the Fab 4 of the 80's

Depending on what weight class they fight in.

At `60 I think Hagler wins a decision based on is superior outside game and textbook footwork. If you watch prime Hagler he has some of the most under rated footwork in history. His jab would be the difference in my view.

I think LaMotta would wear Tommy Hearns down over the distance and stop him after being behind on points. The Raging Bull`s body assault would be the difference in my view. Though over 10 or 12 Hearns may hang on.

Duran/LaMotta would be very entertaining. Jake applying pressure and Duran countering and landing those surgical combinations. Both fighers in top shape I think Duran takes a decision on a fight of the year type of contest.

LaMotta/Leonard would probably go to RL on points with his movement and Ring IQ being the difference. Much like the original Sugar Ray he`s gonna be mobile and much quicker.

 

I wish there were more footage of mid 40's Lamotta. Based upon what Ive seen of pre championship Lamotta in the Bell, DeJohn, and Cerdan fights I'll go with Lamotta from 1945-49.

1) Hagler (1980-83) vs Lamotta

Hagler by wide margin in an action filled fight by decision 10-5. Some may try to make an analogy with the first Antuofermo fight where Hagler faded slightly late, but he appeared to learn from that bout and displayed much better stamina the rest of his career.

2) Duran (1983) vs Lamotta

Duran counters Lamotta silly the first few rounds, but Lamotta's size, aggression, chin, stamina, and underrated ability to roll with punches begin to turn the tide. Duran in the Hagler fight faded late and seemed to be bothered by Hagler's body attack. This would play into Lamotta's strengths. I also think Hagler was not as aggressive against Duran early in their bout as Lamotta would be in this match up. Duran holds on in a gritty performance losing a split decision. I picked this Duran over the 1989 Duran (vs Barkley).

3) Hearns (1985) vs Lamotta

This is a bad matchup for Tommy. Late stoppage for Lamotta after losing the early rounds. Tommy tended to get in firefights against aggressive fighters, and even Tommy's vaunted right hand is not stopping Lamotta.

4) Sugar Ray Leonard (1987)

Leonard eked out a controversial split decision win against a plodding, past it version of the Marvelous One. Hagler handed Leonard the first 4 rounds of a 12 round fight trying to match technical boxing skill with SRL. He should have made it a grinding war of attrition (ala his wars with Mugabi and Hearns) where the virtually 5 year inactive Leonard would have absorbed a Golovkinesque beating, and Hagler should have insisted on 15 rounds to give "that work" to Leonard for an extra nine minutes.

Lamotta would not be trying win a dance contest in Timberland boots and a hard hat. He would play to his strengths and over 15 rounds surge late for a decision win against an exhausted Leonard 9-6, or 8-7.

 

I could see him beating all except Leonard. Hearns and Duran I would heavily favor LaMotta. Hagler Id give LaMotta a decent chance. If Hagler had his hands full with Antuofermo then LaMotta could certainly beat him as LaMotra was much better than Vito. If Hagler struggled with an old, overweight Duran who wasnt even very energetic in their fight then yes, a prime LaMotta could beat him. Leonard was the most complete fighter of the four and the most like Robinson who took 5 of 6 against Jake so that would be the highest mountain for Jake but Leonard wasnt as durable as Robinson and I dont know how well he would handle a pressure fighter as good as the 45 or 46 LaMotta who was that strong, energetic, cagey etc. He never fought anyone that was that good, in that style, in their prime, and naturally that big. It would certainly answer a lot of questions for the Leonard naysayers.

 

What a joke. LaMotta was said to be a natural190 pounder that cut down to weight,how would the others compete in the tough times when men were men. Vs such a guy who literally used his face to block punches? They would break their fragile hands on the near unstoppable LaMotta.

 

I think Hagler beats Lamotta and busts him up TKO. I think Hearns stops him in few rounds.. I think Ray outboxes him and Lamotta edges Duran.

 

This myth has been thoroughly debunked.

 

Lamotta loses to Hagler via close decision. Beats Leonard, Hearns and Duran.

Against Hagler, Lamotta would win 1 out of 3 fights.

 

How do you see a Duran/LaMotta playing out if Duran was in similar form to his fight with Hagler? My own view is that this would be a barnburner and possibility fight of the decade type of battle.

 

Really which fights?Prove it?

 

A bit like when Hearns stopped Duran in 2.

 

All of the ones online.

 

Yes definitely. Duran is the type of fighter that could give Lamotta trouble...well he gives any fighter trouble potentially. I think the Duran/Lamotta fights would be close just like the Hagler/Lamotta fights.