What's up ESB, I just wanted to know the answer to this question that has been bothering me as of late: Why was it that Jake Lamotta didn't win the middleweight title after defeating SRR in their second fight? At the time, I thought SRR was undefeated. Was it because SRR was moving up from welterweight thus vacating the welterweight crown? Any info would be much appreciated.
The world titles were "frozen" due to the Second World War. At the time Freddie "Red" Cochrane held the welterweight title while Tony Zale held the middleweight title but both were serving in the army. Neither LaMotta or Robinson held titles but Robinson was the number 1 ranked welterweight contender in the world while LaMotta went onto be ranked the number 1 middleweight contender in the world after his win over Robinson.
Middleweight. LaMotta couldn't have made welterweight without cutting off an arm. He struggled to make 160.
Jake Lamotta started out in 1941 as a light heavyweight.He always struggled to make the 160 lbs.Peole today forget when Lamotta starting out he faced his own "murderous row",such as Jimmy Edgar, Jimmy Reeves, Lloyd Marshall, Nate Bolden,etc.They were great young fighters,at that time and much avoided...Later of course Robinson...Incidentally, it was BECAUSE.Lamotta had to lose about 12 pounds ,days before the last 1951 bout with Robinson,that weakened the BULL, causing his stoppage in the 13th round...
