BoxRec

Big Bad John wrote:You're just being stupid and wrong. There was a Congressional investigation into that fight because it was so obviously fixed.

"The technical knockout which Billy Fox scored over Jake LaMotta in the fourth round last night caused raised eyebrows in the boxing industry today. Widespread reports of a fix, which received official recognition, robbed, for the time being at least, the glory which naturally would have gone to Fox for becoming the first boxer ever to knock out the tough battler from the Bronx.

There was no question of Fox's victory and the dynamite which the Philadelphia negro packed in his fists. But there were doubting Thomases among the persons who paid to see the bout at Madison Square Garden, for a lot of maneuvering went on before the fighters stepped into the ring. Early in the week there were whispers that the 'fix' was on. Then, late yesterday, after the odds had been 6 to 5 and pick 'em, the betting changed and Fox became an 11 to 5 favorite. Three hours before ring time the odds on Fox soared to 3 to 1 and bookies refused to accept any more Fox money, although they took wagers on LaMotta.

The rumors of the fix became so persistent in the Garden corridors then, that chairman Eddie Eagan of the New York Boxing Commission twice went to the dressing rooms of the boxers to warn them. He was not available for comment after the fight, but a spokesman of the commission said that so far as he knew the commission was satisfied with the bout. He emphasized, however, that he had not spoken to Eagan.

Big Bad John wrote:Here's what the UP wrote about the fight:

"The technical knockout which Billy Fox scored over Jake LaMotta in the fourth round last night caused raised eyebrows in the boxing industry today. Widespread reports of a fix, which received official recognition, robbed, for the time being at least, the glory which naturally would have gone to Fox for becoming the first boxer ever to knock out the tough battler from the Bronx.

There was no question of Fox's victory and the dynamite which the Philadelphia negro packed in his fists. But there were doubting Thomases among the persons who paid to see the bout at Madison Square Garden, for a lot of maneuvering went on before the fighters stepped into the ring. Early in the week there were whispers that the 'fix' was on. Then, late yesterday, after the odds had been 6 to 5 and pick 'em, the betting changed and Fox became an 11 to 5 favorite. Three hours before ring time the odds on Fox soared to 3 to 1 and bookies refused to accept any more Fox money, although they took wagers on LaMotta.

The rumors of the fix became so persistent in the Garden corridors then, that chairman Eddie Eagan of the New York Boxing Commission twice went to the dressing rooms of the boxers to warn them. He was not available for comment after the fight, but a spokesman of the commission said that so far as he knew the commission was satisfied with the bout. He emphasized, however, that he had not spoken to Eagan.

LaMotta was fined and suspended after an investigation by the NYSAC.

Simply put, you don't lie to Congress. They already know the answers before they ask them to you. You lie, and you go to prison. He had absolutely nothing to gain by saying that he'd accepted $20,000 and a title shot in exchange for throwing the fight. Also, Billy Fox - who was managed by none other than Blinky Palmero - testified that in another fight, he was totally exhausted, but that his trainer told him just to go out there. His opponent simply fell without being touched by Fox. Sports Illustrated covered that in 1961.

granberry wrote:Good going, Harvey.

You have convinced us all that the Billy Fox-Jake LaMotta fight was not a fake.

Now what other gems do you have to offer?

LOL

Borinken25 wrote:I agree that if Hearns goes to war with LaMotta he gets KO. However, I don’t see Hearns losing a decision to LaMotta if he decides to box from the outside. Hearns has even a punchers chance and could stop LaMotta on cuts late on the fight. Hagler vs LaMotta I have to go with Hagler all the way.

zslayton wrote:... but IMO if a fighter won't quit then don't stop the fight on a cut or eye swelling.

Syntax Error wrote:The thing about Hearns, he had the remarkable ability to outbox just about anybody, but his mindset was such that he loved to go for the KO, because he could.

Tommy Hearns, with a bit more ring smarts & stamina could have been the greatest fighter of all time, possibly.

gilgamesh wrote:I could see Tommy outboxing Jake if he did absolutely everything right.

The End wrote:I know all of you will disagree but I think Hearns knocks Lamotta out.

Lamotta did have a great chin but he is still human. I think he's tasting canvas in this one and I also think Lamotta is over rated.

Go ahead let the flaming begin

Syntax Error wrote:

The End wrote:I know all of you will disagree but I think Hearns knocks Lamotta out.

Lamotta did have a great chin but he is still human. I think he's tasting canvas in this one and I also think Lamotta is over rated.

Go ahead let the flaming begin

Nobody with more than 1 brain cell is going to flame you for having an opinion on a hypothetical matchup.

You're entitled to think that LaMotta was overrated, that's your perogative & one I don't personally agree with, but one thing that was not overrated about LaMotta was his ability to take a punch.

Judging by the way his career panned out, I sincerely doubt that ANYBODY, including Tommy Hearns would have KOd a fit & well LaMotta.