With the excess weight LaMotta was slow, allowing Nardico to set the pace and out slug him. LaMotta paid the price for not fighting for six months and had weighed in the heaviest of his career - 173 pounds - to Nardico's 177 pounds. 9 in the world light-heavyweight rankings - four places behind 25-year-old Nardico who had lost his previous fight and had a record of 42-8-4. LaMotta, who had a record of 81-17-4 at the time, was ranked No. Victory would supposedly have earned LaMotta a shot at the new world light-heavyweight champion Archie Moore in a title fight in February in St Louis. To make matters worse for LaMotta, the fight was screened live to millions on CBS in the first sports show to be telecast from Florida. It was clear to the crowd of 3,318 that there would be no new dawns in LaMotta's career in the new year. LaMotta was out on his feet and it was no surprise that his corner - featuring brother Al - signalled to the referee that was it, and the fight was stopped before the start of the eighth round. It was the first time LaMotta had been sent to the canvas in 102 fights.Īfter a count of nine, Nardico pounded LaMotta furiously in a corner for a minute, with the the Bronx Bull holding on to the top rope for support and then staggered back to his corner at the end of the round. LaMotta, whose life was later the subject of the 1980 film Raging Bull starring Robert De Niro, was floored at the start of the seventh round after a flurry of shots from Nardico, including an overhand right-handed smash to the jaw. Jake LaMotta, who died earlier this year aged 95, had a headache before New Year's Eve 1952 was over after he was knocked off his feet for the first time in his career.Īlthough the Bronx Bull had suffered previous defeats and bad beatings, LaMotta had never gone down before his light-heavyweight title eliminator with Danny Nardico.įormer world middleweight champion LaMotta, 31, looked as finished as the outgoing year as he was beaten by eighth round technical knockout at the Coliseum, Coral Gables, in Florida, with Nardico ahead 69-62 on the three scorecards when LaMotta's corner waved the fight off. Jake LaMotta and the only fighter to knock him down in 106 figthts You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
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