Jake LaMotta, the world champion boxer played by Robert De Niro in the movie Raging Bull, has passed away at the age of 95 after a bout of pneumonia. The Associated Press summarized LaMotta's career as follows:
"The Bronx Bull, as he was known in his fighting days, compiled an 83-19-4 record with 30 knockouts, in a career that began in 1941 and ended in 1954.
"LaMotta fought the great Sugar Ray Robinson six times, handing Robinson the first defeat of his career and losing the middleweight title to him in a storied match.
"In the fight before he lost the title, LaMotta saved the championship in movie-script fashion against Laurent Dauthuille. Trailing badly on all three scorecards, LaMotta knocked out the challenger with 13 seconds left in the fight ...
"Renowned for his strong chin, and the punishment he could take, and dish out, LaMotta was knocked down only once — in a 1952 loss to light-heavyweight Danny Nardico — in his 106 fights."'
LaMotta is survived by his longtime partner Denise Baker and his four daughters. Read his full obituary at NPR.
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