Gatti: A Fond Farewell
By Julian Kasdin (July 19, 2006)
The ‘Human Highlight Reel’, ‘Boxing’s Ultimate Blood and Guts Warrior’, these are just two of the names that have been used to describe Arturo ‘Thunder’ Gatti, 40-7 (31), who will probably step into the ring for the last time this Saturday night when he squares off against Carlos ‘Tata’ Baldomir, 47-9-6 (12), in his final attempt to win a title in a third weight class.

Gatti has become one of boxing’s most beloved fighters, with a dedicated following that many more skilled and talented fighters could only dream of having. How many fighters can pack the Boardwalk Hall every night they fight, how many fighters can get over a dozen HBO dates, how many fighters can be so loved and respected that their most punishing
rival in the ring is in their corner for every fight? Arturo Gatti is more than just a fighter to the people of Atlantic City, he is part of the very fabric of this seaside community, and he is part of the city’s soul.

Gatti has had a rocky career. Early on he experienced a decent degree of success with wins over Tracy Harris Patterson, Wilson Rodriguez and Gabriel Ruelas. It was his win over Patterson that garnered him his first title, the IBF super featherweight title, and two years that followed were some of his best. In 1998 he would suffer his first serious defeat an eighth round TKO loss to Angel Manfredy, and this would be followed by back-to-back defeats against Ivan Robinson. Between 1999 and 2000 Gatti had another successful run with one of his biggest wins, two round destruction of Joey Gamache, serving as the highlight of that period in Gatti’s career. In 2001 Gatti would step into the ring against Oscar de la Hoya and would lose a lopsided five round affair with one of the greatest fighters of this generation, but this loss would not end Gatti’s career.

Gatti, true to his Italian heritage, would have a renaissance in 2002, and oddly enough it would be because of a close and courageous losing effort against ‘Irish’ Micky Ward. The two fighters would meet another two times, bringing us one of boxing’s most memorable trilogies, proving that all you need to create something great is two fighters willing to give it their all to win. Following this trilogy Gatti would beat Gianluca Branco for the WBC title, and secure two big wins over Leonard Dorin and Jesse James Leija. Gatti would face and lose to Floyd Mayweather Jr., arguably one of the most skilled fighters today, but in losing the fight still gained more respect for his willingness to take on the top fighters.

Gatti would make the move up to welterweight this year, and would pitch a near shutout in stopping undefeated Thomas Damgaard. This leads us to Saturday night and Gatti’s fight with reigning welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir. Baldomir seems like a good guy, kind of like an Argentine version of Gatti, a man who has had his ups and downs and now has the opportunity to make the biggest pay day of his career. Despite Baldomir being the champ this fight is about Gatti, and in a way that is not fair to Baldomir. Life however is not fair, and the truth is that there are very few fighters today who deserve our respect and adoration like Arturo Gatti.

This Saturday will probably be Gatti’s last fight, and it is only fitting that not even a near shut down of the state of New Jersey could prevent this man, who has risen out of the ashes like a phoenix, from fighting in front of his most die hard fans in his hometown. All fans of the sweet science should tune in this weekend to watch one of the sport’s most beloved fighters give what could be the final performance of his career.


Questions or comments,
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Julian at: Alcaldemb@aol.com
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