Steele for me. He was a superior boxer and a superior puncher. Jake and his iron jaw would take what Freddie dishes out, but Steele would have little difficulty taking Jake's attack as well. All roads point to Steele winning a convincing points victory.
Freddie Steele for me...It is little known that for about 10 years Steele was almost unbeaten. Until he suffered a painful breastbone injury,and was never the same fighter that he was in his prime...He decisions Jake LaMotta prime for prime...
This is a tough one. The only negative remark about Freddie I ever came across was from the dean of west coast boxing writers Harry B. Smith of the San Fran Chronicle. Smith considered Freddie's defense somewhat lacking. Of course Jakes chin was granite. Makes ya wonder
This would be a war...no doubt. LaMotta's technical and defensive ability getting underated here IMO (per usual). Prime LaMotta was a active, physically strong middleweight. What did Murphy say about fighting a past it LaMotta at lightheavy? He said hitting him was like hitting a telephone pole. LaMotta's strength AND gile make this rough.
I've long considered Steele to be an absolute head to head beast. I think his head to head ability far outstrips his already considerable achievements. He was a defensively sound, incredibly precise, boxer puncher who, going by the testimony of film and the boxing press, probably ranks among the top 3 or 4 middleweights in terms of foot work. Throw in that he had a howitzer of a right hand and plenty of pop in his left and the fact that he was tougher than hundred year old tree bark (before the injury) and you have an absolute demon of a fighter. I really respect Lamotta. But Villeman and Dauthielle were both a step ahead ahead of Jake. Steele was just too gifted and just so imaginative and clever with his attack to fall into an inside war with the Raging Bull.
you beat me to the French boys. they were also both Welters cum middles and small ones too, where as Jake was the naturally bigger to them two. I respect Jake too, and God knows he was as tough, durable and more technical than people realise, but I've always thought he gained more than he deserved because of the film that re-made him famous. Obviously a great fighter, among GREATS, but Steele just had much more and more skilled with it, this would always make the difference between them.
Once again Lamotta getting disrespected. Lamotta wears Steele down and knocks his weak chinned ass out late.
Nobody is disrespecting Jake. It's just that the other posters feel that Steele's mobility, accuracy, and style would pose too many problems for Lamotta, who, let's face it, great as he was, wasn't unbeatable. I'm not sure there's any need for me to tackle your claim that Steele was weak chinned.
agreed. jake was a tricky, durable, cute fighter without a really big punch who could be, and was, outboxed at the elite level. i see it happening here to
