How would it have gone if Jake LaMotta had recieved a title shot as soon as soon as he was first eligable? Would he have had a longer reign?
likely, his style was not one that lent itself to a long time career. i'm not a lamotta expert by any means, what're peoples thoughts on his peak? (year, etc.)
He was a top contender for an extended period of time before he recieved a shot at the Middleweight crown?
Wasnt the issue that the war prevented Zale from defending? I think Lamotta could have knocked off Zale in a classic.
at that point, yeah. i'd have to give it to lamotta but ****, two of the best chins in middleweight history going toe to toe. no way that ends in a knockout...unless lamotta is out of shape and zale works that body so bad jake shits himself
Too many tough contenders around those days for LaMotta to have ever had a dominant reign, but I do think he beats Zale, Graziano and Cerdan, possibly losing and regaining the title between 1942 and 1950. With men like Robinson, Burley and Williams around though, and LaMotta's willingness to face most anyone, it would have been difficult for him to hold the title for a long period of time.
As good as lamotta was there was too much quality around for him to ever dominate. 1946 was the only year jake remained unbeaten as a contender anyway, that’s how good the division was. The middleweights were such a competitive division, most top contenders all dropped a decision most years. There were a lot of "uncrowned champions" as well as lamotta but the titles were on ice whilst champions served during the war. Then the title was tied up for 3 further years with the zale - graziano mega fights. The earliest jake could have got to the title was 1942 when the title was on hold but even so there was archie moore, Holman Williams and Charlie burley ahead of him. Moore outgrew the division and Lamotta did beat Williams and lytell who both beat burley so he was at least on par with the other outstanding contenders. Chris Dundee managed two good contenders during this period jose basora and Georgie abrams. Basora beat Holman Williams and lamotta and drew with Ray Robinson. Trouble was he also lost to those guys. Abrams, a contender (who lost 3 years to the war himself) beat cocoa Kid, billy soose , drew with Charlie burley and took ray robinson to a split decision that was bood. This is an example of the talent at that time.
really good post and speaks one to the brilliant middleweight era and two, the power of a movie on a fighters legacy
I'm not sure its a given Lamotta beats a prime Zale, I'd lean towards him though. The era was definately too tough for him to keep the title long, but it depends how he was matched
Which top MWs did Robinson meet in the 40's (besides LaMotta)? None of the murderer's row, not Zale, not Cerdan and Graziano was in the 50's, but there have to been a couple right? Choklab, you mentioned one or two.
LaMotta wouldn't have ever fought a prime Zale though. Post-war Zale was past it, and about ready for pickings.
Acording to ring anual ratings the rated middleweights ray robinson fought during the 1940s were: LaMotta 5 close fights 1942-45 Vic dellicurti ko,1942 jose basora draw in 1945 (ray later kod him in 1950) georgie abrams close pts 1947 steve belloise ko,1949 A good record for a top welter against top middles. however, middleweights artie lavine and henry brimm gave ray tough fights but did not make the annual ratings. In 1946 lavine almost knocked robinson out before getting TKOd in the last round. Henry brimm drew and lost on points with robinson in 48 and 49. Against 1940s middleweights, for all his ability and excitement sugar rays dominance was never quite so absolute as many fans think.
