The Raging Bull vs The Cuban Hawk at 160. Both known for giving a prime Sugar Ray Robinson a tough fight. This match up would have been excellent between two hardened fighters. The Kid didn't have much success at capturing a MW title but could he have been able to beat a guy like LaMotta using his boxing skills and speed? Or would The Raging Bull be too strong for the Kid?
Gavilan was better p4p. Gavilan was a better WW than LaMotta was at MW. At MW, I think I'd make the naturally heavier LaMotta a narrow favourite to win a close, debatable decision.
LaMotta takes a narrow decision primarily because of him being the naturally bigger man. I rate Gavilan as a Top 5 welterweight all time great.
LaMotta would win a competitive decision. Robinson proved himself a level above the great Gavilan by the time both fights were done. He also retained ATG power at middleweight which certainly helped his cause against a bully like Jake. The Kid by comparison is a light hitter. Jake just too strong and relentless, with The Kid going hard all the way to a decision loss.
