Boxer Jake LaMotta whose life story “Raging Bull” is perhaps the greatest sports movie of all times -was born 91 years ago today in The Bronx, New York. Lamotta gave Sugar Ray Robinson his first defeat. Amazingly the two men fought again three weeks later-with Sugar Ray coming out on top. In all Robinson and LaMotta fought 6 times with Sugar Ray winning 5 of the 6. A couple of those losses were controversial decisions.  In the six fights with Sugar Ray- LaMotta was never knocked down. LaMotta once said he fought Sugar Ray Robinson so often its a wonder he didn’t get diabetes.

Jake LaMotta fought as a middleweight and a light heavyweight during his career. He won the World Middleweight Championship in 1949 in Detroit against Marcel Derdan. Overall Lamotta’s record was 83-19-4. LaMotta has been married six times. Matching how many times he’s fought Sugar Ray. The great Robert De Niro played LaMotta in the 1980 film “Raging Bull” De Niro gained 60 pounds to play LaMotta in his later years. The film was nominated for eight Academy Awards. De Niro won for best actor.