Phil Santos – Spextasy.com – I finally got my ass to the theaters and saw “The Fighter”. Undoubtedly you’ve heard by now the movie is amazing. Now I DON’T cry at movies. I am a 30 year old man who is not at all in touch with his feminine side. With that said, watching puppies get run over by a baby carriage that proceeds to get hit by a car couldn’t make this fools eyes water anymore than Mickey Ward’s story. After being completely consumed for 1 hour and 54 minutes, then questioning what kind of mental disorder I must have for waiting so long to see it, my thoughts turned to Arturo Gatti..
Always a fan favorite, all-action, fighter that electrified crowds, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti has been gone for almost two years now. His last time stepping in between the ropes was in no way indicative of his thrilling career. Gatti was unceremoniously dispatched by Alfonso Gomez via 7th round TKO. On that July night back in 2007 I hoped like most Gatti fans, and fight fans in general, that would be the last time I saw Gatti in the ring. Tragically almost two years later (Gatti’s last fight was held on July 14, 2007 and he was found dead in his hotel room on July 11, 2009) Arturo Gatti was found dead in Ipojuca, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Gatti left behind a young wife, who was initially charged with his murder, a son, who was 10 months old at the time, and an adoring public who found his heart and determination inspirational. Boxing scribes will accurately describe Gatti as a B to B+ fighter who had some very nice wins and held a couple of alphabet straps. He fell short in the biggest fights of his career, namely De La Hoya and Mayweather Jr., but despite his turbulent end on this planet and in the ring Gatti is and will be remembered as a symbol of toughness, courage, and the blue collar work ethic that fight aficionados admire.
“I hear the cheers when I need to hear them. It feels good to know my fans are still behind me.” – Arturo Gatti
We’re behind you Arturo, here’s hoping you can hear these cheers if you need them.
Arturo Gatti was born on 4-15-1972 in Calabria, Italy. He was raised in Montreal, Canada and called Jersey City, New Jersey his home. Upon retiring Gatti moved back to Montreal. He was managed by Pat Lynch and was trained by Buddy McGirt and later Mickey Ward. Arturo finished his career with a 40-9 (31 KO) record. He held the IBF super featherweight, WBC Light Welterweight, and IBA Welterweight titles.