In The Memory Of Jake LaMotta – “Very Few Became An Archetype Of The Sport In The Way That Jake Did”

It’s not true that Jake LaMotta was never knocked down in 106 professional fights. Jake did hit the mat once during an abortive 10 rounder vs up and coming light heavyweight, Danny Nardico in December 1952.

Far from diminishing his reputation as one of the toughest men in boxing history, the aberration from a largely forgotten slugfest in Florida merely enhances it. A glimpse at the fight on YouTube shows Lamotta decked heavily against the ropes in the 7th round.

The former middleweight king duly rises to absorb a blizzard of hellacious bombs whilst holding the top rope with his outstretched right glove and a disdainful aplomb more consistent with a casual barroom wager. Fittingly, the scene could have been mocked up for the silver screen.