Jake LaMotta | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : February 06, 2025

Who is Jake LaMotta?

Jake LaMotta, born on July 10, 1922, in New York City, was an iconic American boxer known for his fierce and aggressive fighting style. Nicknamed the "Bronx Bull," LaMotta rose to prominence in the boxing world during the 1940s and 1950s. He famously captured the world middleweight title in 1949 after defeating Marcel Cerdan. LaMotta was well-known for his legendary bouts against Sugar Ray Robinson, including their final clash dubbed the "St. Valentine's Day Massacre," where LaMotta famously refused to fall despite taking a brutal beating.

Beyond his boxing career, LaMotta's life was a complex tapestry of triumphs and struggles. After retiring in 1954, he experienced several personal challenges, including legal troubles and a tumultuous private life marked by violence and turmoil. In 1970, he published his autobiography, "Raging Bull: My Story," which laid bare his tumultuous experiences in and out of the ring. This work was later adapted into Martin Scorsese's acclaimed film "Raging Bull," starring Robert De Niro, which further cemented LaMotta's legacy as a cultural figure beyond sports.

Early Life and Education

Giacobbe "Jake" LaMotta was born on July 10, 1922, in New York City, specifically the Bronx, where he faced a tumultuous upbringing. He grew up in a challenging environment that shaped his aggressive demeanor and fearsome temperament. Encouraged by his father, LaMotta quickly learned to channel his volatile nature into street fights, which became a means for his family to earn extra money. Unfortunately, his early life was marked by trouble, including an attempt to rob a jewelry store, which resulted in his brief stay in a reform school.

From a young age, LaMotta’s education was overshadowed by his inclination towards boxing and street fighting. While he didn't achieve formal education, his life experiences considerably taught him the skills he would later need in the ring. By the age of 19, he transformed his passion for brawling into a professional boxing career. This relentless drive and determination, honed during his youth, propelled LaMotta toward becoming one of boxing's most legendary figures, famously known as the "Bronx Bull."

Professional Boxing Success and Notable Career Start

Jake LaMotta, known as the "Bronx Bull," embarked on his professional boxing career at the age of 19 and quickly gained recognition for his aggressive style and extraordinary ability to absorb punishment. His tenacity in the ring was matched only by his cunning, as he often feigned fatigue to draw his opponents into his relentless attack. LaMotta made headlines when he became the first boxer to defeat the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson in 1943, marking a significant milestone in his career and setting the stage for several notable bouts that would solidify his reputation as a formidable competitor.

In 1949, LaMotta achieved the pinnacle of success by defeating French champion Marcel Cerdan to claim the world middleweight title. His victory was not without drama; LaMotta deftly defended his championship against notable fighters such as Tiberio Mitri and Laurent Dauthuille, the latter of which concluded with a last-second knockout that showcased his fighting spirit. LaMotta's rivalry with Sugar Ray Robinson culminated in their sixth and final bout in 1951, infamously dubbed the "St. Valentine's Day Massacre," where he endured a seemingly endless barrage of punches without backing down, further cementing his legacy as one of the toughest boxers of his era.

Career Success and Achievements

Jake LaMotta, nicknamed the "Bronx Bull," emerged as a formidable force in the world of boxing, securing his place in history as the World Middleweight Champion in 1949. Known for his aggressive and relentless fighting style, he showcased an exceptional ability to absorb punishment while executing clever strategies to outsmart his opponents. LaMotta’s boxing career featured significant victories over notable boxers like Fritzie Zivic and Marcel Cerdan. Notably, he became the first boxer to defeat the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson, achieving success through sheer determination and strength. His career culminated in a record of 83 wins, 19 losses, and 4 draws, including 30 knockouts.

Throughout his tenure, LaMotta engaged in several memorable bouts, including a fierce rivalry with Robinson that captivated boxing fans. The most infamous fight, dubbed the "St. Valentine's Day Massacre," showcased LaMotta's resilience as he endured a brutal beating but refused to succumb, showcasing his indomitable spirit. Despite facing controversies, including alleged fight-fixing, his impressive staying power in the ring made him a celebrated athlete. LaMotta's journey inspired the iconic 1980 film "Raging Bull," directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, which delved deeper into his tumultuous life, securing his legacy as one of boxing's most complex figures.

Post-Boxing Struggles

After a storied career in boxing, Jake LaMotta faced a tumultuous transition to life outside of the ring. Initially running a bar in Miami, he mingled with celebrities, including actress Jayne Mansfield and Hedy Lamarr. However, the late 1950s brought significant challenges for LaMotta, including legal troubles that culminated in a six-month prison sentence for charges related to promoting prostitution and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. These incidents cast a shadow on his reputation and personal life, demonstrating that the aggressive tenacity he showcased in the ring did not always translate to success outside of it.

LaMotta's struggles deepened in 1960 when he publicly revealed having taken a dive in his fight against Billy Fox, an admission that further cemented his complex relationship with organized crime in boxing. This revelation came during a Senate investigation, and it troubled many that a once-celebrated fighter believed to embody the spirit of his sport was so deeply entangled in its darker undercurrents. Nonetheless, LaMotta's candidness in discussing his fall from grace added to his persona, ultimately paving the path for his later resurgence in pop culture through his autobiography and its adaptation into the iconic film "Raging Bull."

Personal Life: Married Life and Children

Jake LaMotta was married seven times throughout his life, with each relationship reflecting the turbulent and passionate nature often associated with his personality. His second marriage was to Vikki, who was notably portrayed by Cathy Moriarty in the film "Raging Bull." This tumultuous relationship was marked by LaMotta's jealousy and violent outbursts, a theme that resonated through his autobiography and the subsequent film. His marriages often mirrored the chaos of his boxing career, characterized by intense emotions and frequent conflicts, suggesting that his life outside the ring was as combative as the fights he engaged in.

LaMotta's family life saw both joy and tragedy. He had six children, but he faced immense grief when he lost two sons from his second marriage—Jack, who succumbed to cancer, and Joseph, who tragically died in an airplane crash just months later. These devastating losses deeply affected LaMotta, reflecting a more vulnerable side beneath his fearsome exterior. Despite the challenges, he remained dedicated to maintaining connections with his family, often using his experiences in relationships as inspiration for storytelling in subsequent projects, including his autobiographical works and performances.

Net Worth and Earning: Salary and Earnings

Jake LaMotta's financial journey was as tumultuous as his career inside the boxing ring. At the height of his boxing career, LaMotta earned significant income from his bouts, with a reported record of $83 wins, 19 losses, and 4 draws, including 30 wins by knockout. His championship title in 1949 and subsequent fights, especially his legendary matches against Sugar Ray Robinson, brought in substantial purses. However, post-retirement, LaMotta faced both peaks and valleys in his financial status, navigating a series of business ventures and personal struggles that affected his net worth.

Following his boxing career, LaMotta opened a bar in Miami and enjoyed some measure of fame, particularly after the release of the film "Raging Bull," which reignited public interest in his life. While he reportedly earned a good sum from his autobiography and the film adaptation, legal troubles, including a prison sentence and issues related to organized crime, adversely impacted his finances. Despite these setbacks, LaMotta's legacy and continued appearances in the media, as well as endorsements, contributed to his overall earnings, which were estimated to place his net worth at several million dollars by the end of his life.