June 1950. The fight that got away - Jake LaMotta v Rocky Graziano.

Graziano didn't want any part of Jake, he liked those overstuffed welters and past it middles.

 

A few reporters present that day said that when Graziano found out that Jake was serious about going through with the fight he punched a tree, purposely breaking his hand to get out of the fight. Whether its true or not Graziano was never gonna beat Jake.

 

Jake would've definitely won. Rocky's biggest asset was his punching power, he had that killer instinct and was a great ko-artist with a single punch... but against someone like LaMotta, that wouldn't serve much purpose. Graziano's style plays right into Jake's hands, who liked to play close and keep up the pressure. I think Jake certainly takes this, by UD or I can also see a stoppage if Graziano leaves himself too open or gets tired later on.
Would've been a pretty exciting fight though.

They were boyhood friends also, and both have autobiographical books that were later turned into films; 'Someone Up There Likes Me' is a good movie with Paul Newman, but 'Raging Bull' is amongst the greatest.

 

You can take this to the bank. The overwhelming opinion of the boxing fraternity those days felt that Graziano had little chance to fight LaMotta and no chance to beat him. Rocky, though not the best fighter I ever saw, was the most exciting fighter I saw ringside. Graziano called his friend Jake, Hammerhead...Graziano also claimed LaMotta had a lightweight body topped off with a heavyweight's head.. I sure miss seeing the young pre Zale Graziano fight. Yessir...

 

100% right, a lot of difference between Bummy Davis and Lloyd Marshall.
In fairness was only a light middle himself.?LaMotta would have hammered Rocky.

 

Great pic there. Funny because Bobby De Niro looked more like Graziano than he ever could to LaMotta.

Rocky was a pretty exciting fighter but he most likely knew he stood no chance against Jake, even being so close to him.

 

Rocky Graziano simply didn't match up well with Jake LaMotta.

- Chuck Johnston

 

Yes ,up at the "big house".