Yahoo News Robert De Niro pays tribute to boxer Jake LaMotta
Jake LaMotta, the real-life inspiration for Raging Bull, has died at the age of 95.
The boxer's wife, Denise Baker, confirmed the news to the Associated Press, saying that he passed away yesterday (September 19) at a Miami-area hospital from complications of pneumonia.
LaMotta's life was depicted in Martin Scorsese's classic biopic Raging Bull, based on LaMotta's memoir, which saw Robert De Niro win Best Actor for his portrayal of the former middleweight champion.
LaMotta took up boxing in 1941 after he was rejected for military service due to a medical issue, going on to win 83 of his 106 fights with 30 knockouts, earning the nickname "The Bronx Bull" due to his fighting style.
De Niro has paid tribute to LaMotta in a short statement (via The Hollywood Reporter): "Rest in Peace, Champ."
LaMotta's biggest rivalry was with Sugar Ray Robinson as the pair fought six times, with LaMotta only winning one of them, but handing Robinson his first ever defeat in the boxing ring.
Their rivalry culminated with the iconic St Valentine's Day Massacre in 1951 where LaMotta was beaten heavily, but refused to go down.
An unofficial sequel to Raging Bull, called The Bronx Bull, was released earlier this year,with William Forsythe as LaMotta. The movie was originally called Raging Bull II until a lawsuit by MGM, which was later dropped after the production agreed to retitle the movie.
Following his retirement from the ring in 1954, LaMotta acted in several movies including The Hustler, The Runaways and Maniac Cop.
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