Most of us would like to just make it to 95 years old. For Jake LaMotta, his life at 95 still includes the ability to shadow box.
LaMotta, who was memorably portrayed by Robert DeNiro in 1980’s Raging Bull, showed off his skills in a recent video. The oldest-living world boxing champion went 83-19-4 in his career and became famous with his infamous rivalry with Sugar Ray Robinson. Here’s him showing he can still throw some punches:
LaMotta’s story is beyond fascinating. He was forced into fighting as a kid growing up in the Bronx so the adults in the neighborhood could have entertainment, turned to crime and spent time in jail. He then turned to boxing, turned pro at 19 and went on to fight as a middleweight. He went through a number of big-time battles during his career, including six famed bouts with Robinson and a world middleweight championships, later became a bar owner and a stand-up comedian, and wrote the 1970 memoir Raging Bull: My Story, which was later adapted into the 1980 Martin Scorsese film that starred DeNiro..
LaMotta’s story is beyond inspiring, and he deserves a lot of credit. For as much of a physical beating as boxing is, LaMotta has been able to defy odds and live into his 90s and still be able to function and even throw a few punches. We all can only hope to be so lucky.
[Reddit]
