Raging Bull boxer Jake LaMotta dies aged 95

Jake LaMotta, the former middleweight world champion boxer whose life was depicted in the film Raging Bull, has died at the age of 95.

His fiancee, Denise Baker, said LaMotta died on Tuesday at a Miami-area hospital following complications caused by pneumonia.

LaMotta fought Sugar Ray Robinson six times between 1942 and 1945, handing Robinson his first defeat in 1943. He lost the middleweight title to him in what became known as the St Valentine’s Day Massacre.

In his previous fight, LaMotta saved the championship in movie-script fashion against Laurent Dauthuille. Trailing badly, LaMotta knocked out the challenger with 13 seconds left.

LaMotta admitted he threw a fight against Billy Fox in 1947, in testimony before a US Senate committee. He said he was promised a shot at the title for doing so.

On June 16 1949, he became middleweight champion when Marcel Cerdan could not continue after the 10th round.

Martin Scorsese’s 1980 film Raging Bull was based on LaMotta’s memoir of the same name.

Actor Robert De Niro won an Academy Award for his portrayal of the fighter.

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