|
|
Baldomir Shows Why They Fight The Fights
 By Gabriel Montoya (July 23, 2006)
By many accounts, the Linear Welterweight Title showdown between perennial underdog (and champion) Carlos “Tata” Baldomir and Arturo “Thunder” Gatti was a match up tailor made for The Human Highlight Reel. Add in the fact that the champion was making his first defense in what is essentially Gatti’s hometown of Atlantic City and Saturday night had all the makings of a storybook ending to Gatti’s up and down career. What the general public and many in the boxing intelligentsia forgot to factor in was the fact that it was Baldomir who chose Gatti from a plethora of choices following the Argentinean’s surprise 18-1 win over Zab “ Not So Super “ Judah in January. Styles make fights and as it turned out, Gatti was tailor made for Baldomir.
From the opening bell it was clear that Baldomir, at the very least, believed he belonged in the ring with former Super
Feather and Jr. Welterweight titlist. Popping his double jab, Baldomir asserted control over Thunder, who looked to be stuck somewhere between trying to box and landing one big shot and get “Tata’s” respect. The round was fairly even in terms of landed shots but Baldomir scored with the jab consistently and showed his fighting spirit by firing back after getting tagged by Gatti. It appeared as if a big part of Baldomir’s game plan was to take the Pro-Gatti crowd out of the fight.
Round two saw Baldomir revealing new parts of his game as he bounced on his toes and popped Arturo with his jab and hooked off of it. Gatti seemed the slower of the two and insisted on loading up on his shots while trying to follow trainer Buddy McGirt’s advice to box the supposed brawler Baldomir. The problem here was that Baldomir was prepared for Arturo to brawl and boxed accordingly. Another rapidly developing problem was the sneaky right hand that Baldomir continued to land at will.
Over the next two rounds, Gatti became increasingly caught between wanting to brawl and catch Baldomir with a big shot during an exchange and trying to remain patient. With his corner asking for more head movement and combinations, Gatti increasingly became stuck between first and second gear. Baldomir continued his dominance, changing up-tempo, always coming forward and letting his hands go. Whether it was one-twos, left hooks off the jab, or a well-placed low blow, Baldomir showed off a better bag of tricks.
Gatti began to bleed under his right eye in the fourth, a round that saw him hurt by a Baldomir right but also one in which Gatti began to land his Sunday punches: the left to the head and body. Unfortunately, Baldomir is a career welterweight and Gatti’s best shots were not nearly enough for the rugged veteran.
Over the next two rounds, the action slowed as both fighters’ looked to recover from the fiery early pace. Gatti, for his part, looked to be more defensive minded, popping the jab and slipping shots. The tables, while not altogether turning were at least tipping towards Gatti and keeping hope alive among the Gatti faithful. Though in a virtual shutout of a fight, chants of “GATTI!! GATTI!! “ Could still be heard for the falling hero.
The fatal Ninth began heatedly as Gatti looked to take control behind his jab. Baldomir was having none of it and continued to throw the right hand that had been so effective thus far. Gatti ate two big rights by Baldomir and retreated to the ropes. As he did with Zab Judah, Baldomir smelled blood and unleashed a near 20punch flurry that had Gatti looking to counter but instead got him hurt badly. A big counter left hook and Gatti crumpled to the canvas, valiantly rising at 6. Baldomir, 3 rounds behind the 6th, where he predicted he would stop Gatti, moved in and finished like the champion he is. Gatti, overwhelmed by Baldomir’s rapid output, crumpled once again and referee Wayne Hedgepeth waived it off at 2:50 of the ninth round.
Coming into tonight’s fight, the table was set for Gatti to ride off into the pugilistic sunset a linear champion, cementing the HOF status the boxing world wants to reward him with for the many wars he has given us. For a man with tons of heart and courage, the move to welterweight proved too much for the “Ultimate Blood and Guts Warrior.”
To Baldomir’s credit, he is making the most of his wildcard champion status. Who knew a fighter with 9 losses, who mere months ago was being dismissed as a one hit wonder with no would be mentioned in possible match ups with names like Hatton, Cotto, Margarito and Mayweather, Jr.? At 35, Baldomir, if matched as correctly as he was tonight, can make a run at the history books and make a nice of retirement change in the process. You can’t buy respect with all the money in the world. But once you’ve earned, it is conceivable a large amount of money will follow close behind.
Main Events may have to change their name to Vain Attempts after the failures of both Gatti and Fernando Vargas to secure wins in subsequent weeks . They need a win and they need it bad.
Former P4P kingpin , Floyd Mayweather Jr. will begin negotiations for the a PPV showdown with Carlos " Show Me The Money " Baldomir on Monday . I guess the path to glory for Mayweather is also the one of least resistance . As it turns out , Mayweather wasn't waiting on Oscar De La Hoya's decision to fight again this year after all . He wasn't waiting for the winner of Mosely /Vargas 2. He didn't turn down $8 million TWICE to fight Tony Margarito because it wasn't enough cash for the risk involved. No, Mayweather was waiting for that Titanic-like box office draw ( and linear welterweight champion) Carlos Baldomir . I think the Trinidad/De La Hoya PPV record is safe for now.
|
|
|
|
© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2006
|
