Inspiration for the Oscar-winning 1980 film who was best known for his rivalry with Sugar Ray Robinson had pneumonia and died in a nursing home.
ADVERTISEMENTJake LaMotta, the former middleweight boxing champion of the world and inspiration for the Oscar-winning 1980 film ‘Raging Bull’ has died aged 95.
The fighter turned stand-up comedian was known for his use of constant stalking, brawling and inside fighting in the ring, as well as his six bouts with Sugar Ray Robinson, one of the most notable boxing rivalries of all time.
Thought to have one of the strongest chins in the sport’s history, LaMotta lived a troubled life outside the ring, but in his later years became an active figure on the autograph circuit and wrote books about his career.
After his retirement from boxing he ran clubs and bars in Miami, but served 6 months on a chain gang for introducing men to underage women at one of his bars.
He died in a nursing home due to complications arising from pneamonia.