Jake LaMotta vs. Marvin Hagler. Battle of the Legends.

Yes, but many pick Hagler unhesitatingly over the lot of them, and i for one think he'd lose anywhere from 2 to 4 of those fights. Many put him number 1 H2H and ATG and i think that is a slight overrating. I have him top 5 H2H and probably 2nd 160 ATG accomplishment wise. Greb and co are hard to rank.

Well two of the evasive fighters were much smaller men who had come from much lighter weights, as well as being well past peak tho still certainly superb fighters. Hagler fought Leonards fight for far too much of their fight and failed to ram home his advantages vs Duran. A Monzon would not make such mistakes. When talking focus and confidence yes, he was devastating vs the lower tier, Hamshjo, Sibson, whoever, but in some biggest fights he very definitely double crossed himself.

Geraldo is not in the same league as the greats tho. Hagler was mostly devastating vs guys his level and a bit above on the whole.

Of course Hagler should have been more aggressive, bad scoring or not he almost lost the fight. From memory he had to win the last two to secure his win, tho it would have been the robbery of the year. The thing is in one of the mid rounds Hagler took it right to Duran and established dominance only to come out next round and box, letting all the good work he had done slide. A Monzon, Hopkins etc would not have taken their foot off his throat. When pressed on the matter Hagler said they were wary of his counter right hand, but there was no counter right hand in that round anyway. Regardless Hagler, the much bigger man with a sensational chin should really not have been showing such a worry. Hagler won almost all the inside exchanges while Duran went better than expected outside.

Do you think i am a hater Dave?

I thought this was what the forum was all about, sharing opinions and debate about the merits of certain fighters and their fights :huh

I'd hardly call it passion, you are free to search all of my posts with "Hagler" and you'll hardly find me running around obsessed with the man. When matches are discussed i will freely give my opinion and reasons as i have here. I have picked Hagler in a close fight here but hardly think RB picking LaMotta calls for the **** he was given. It's a good contest this one, and i remember the Dream Fight series picking Hagler by a point or so with Jake dominating the late rounds after falling behind early.

You seem pretty prickly to any criticism of Hagler.

 

You can see Hagler in all his glory in the Hamsho and Sibson fights. If Hagler comes in sharp like he was in those fights, Lamotta doesn't stand a chance.

Lamotta is just too primitve a fighter and wouldn't do well in the Hagler era. Many of Hagler's opponents would be favored over Jake who lost to many ordinary men while in his prime.

Sibson would outjab and outwork Lamotta for a decision. Tony was a power puncher but also had a much better defense, far more head movement, much faster, stronger more precise with his punches, and wasn't constantly struggling with his weight. Jake didnt even use a jab and if he did it didnt compare with Sibbo's

Roldan was also much stronger than the short armed, squat Lamotta. Jake could never hope to last with such a difficult to hit and heavy handed fighter.

Jake is hopelessly outgunned here too.

Jake would be even money with Hamsho but as with Czyz and Benitez, he would be overwhelmed by Hamsho's southpaw style and pressure. Hamsho was a much more consistent performer. Jake was a win one lose one fighter.

Obel was much to big for him at 6'2'" and would destroy him at long range with that big right hand.

Dangerous Don Lee at 6'3" with his southpaw style is another man whose height and style Jake would not be able to handle.

Why even Tony Ayala with his limited experience would have ripped him to pieces. So it's no wonder that I say Jake would not have been able to compete in Hagler's era.


Hagler would employ the same technique that Pernell used against Chavez in which Julio, not knowing any better, would constantly chase that ghost he thought was directly straight ahead of him.

Then like the expert strategist that he is, Hagler would circle and hit Jake off balance from angles with his skin ripping right jab. This might resemble the 1982 nightmare between Hector Camacho and Louie Loy.

Could it turn into a struggle? yes it could if Marvin is not focused but since Marvin hates the spotlight of scrutiny he experienced after the Duran fight, he will once again become the near perfect fighter he was in the first Hamsho fight.

Marvin was just so much more developed than Jake as a fighter. It's no wonder that Jake only made one defense (and even then he was seconds from losing it)

Sorry Raging Bull fans but Jake isn't getting past that right jab and Hagler's hooks to the head are eventually going to soften him up for the kill. Hagler wins this by tko or cuts.

 

La Motta would win a decision, but by good margin. He had a lot of smarts, could take anything Hagler had. Not that Hagler would be able to land so easy.

 

RB, you must stop hiding all these golden nuggest and give us the lowdown on these fights. Watching new films on the great one gives me a huge lift and was my sole reason for closely watching the fight game.

 

JT, thanks for the reply, great opinions and great post. I never criticized Raging for picking Lamotta by the way, just the personal stuff which I thought was boring, irrelevant etc. No, not prickly to criticism, just like to debate with people I disagree with on points.

 

I would like to know more about these films on Hagler that RB is talking about. how soon will they be released?

 

Hey, no worries Dave you're a top player mate. Keep up the good work and i look forward to reading plenty of your future posts.