Arturo Gatti — RIP, Thunder
As most of you are aware by now, Arturo Gatti died Saturday night, from what police believe was murder at the hands of his wife:
Brazilian cops say there’s no way anyone but Arturo Gatti’s wife could have entered the luxurious apartment where the boxer was killed – but the sexy ex-stripper insists she’s innocent.
“It was technically impossible for a third person to have been in the flat,” lead investigator Moises Teixeira said Monday.
“The investigation isn’t finished, but we continue to think she did this alone.”
What a shocker. What a waste. I was a huge fan of Gotti, this absolutely blows my mind. I’m saddened for his son and his family.
Gatti was born in Italy, raised in Montreal, and moved to New Jersey as a teenager. In the ring, Gatti was a warrior. I watched all three of his classic fights against “Irish” Mickey Ward, his brawl against Ruelas, and when he won the world super featherweight championship from Tracy Patterson, outscoring him on points.
Gatti wasn’t a great fighter, but he had one of the most devastating left hooks of all time, underrated hand speed, and a heart of a champion. He was grit, guts and determination all rolled up into a true throwback boxer.
Gatti vs Ward, Ring Magazine 2002 fight of the year, and round 9 was also round of the year.
This was truly the best round I have ever seen in boxing.
RIP, Thunder
July 13th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Gatti was one of my all-time favourite fighters, pure heart and tenacity! I also watched all those Gatti/Ward fights and Gatti never let up, neither did Ward, and we saw three of the greatest fights ever.
I think his Brazilian trophy wife murdered him for his fortune. I hope Brazilian Courts are less accommodating than Canadian ones, where she’d claim he beat her, and get off with house arrest.
R.I.P., big guy.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:21 pm
That’s right. I now hear that she strangled him.
It’s amazing the wars he went through in the ring, only to die from the hands of a skinny 23 year old girl.