Tyson leads Gatti tributes

Gatti: tributes

I was always happy to see his success, to see him walk in the gym a boy and become a great man.

Mike Tyson on Arturo Gatti
Quotes of the week

Mike Tyson was among those to pay tribute to Arturo Gatti as he was buried in Canada on Monday.

The former heavyweight king sent a letter that was read out to the 1,000-plus congregation at the Notre Dame de la Defense church in Montreal.

The WBC also presented Gatti's mother, Ida, with a posthumous championship belt, which was greeted by a standing ovation.

The tributes to the two-weight world champion, who became known as the Human Highlight Reel, have been pouring in since he was found dead in a hotel room in Brazil on July 11.

"We never knew he would be such a great fighter," wrote Tyson in a letter read out by family friend Mario Costa during the service.

"I was always happy to see his success, to see him walk in the gym a boy and become a great man."

Gatti found dead | Your tributes to Gatti

Meanwhile Gatti's wife, Amanda Rodrigues is still being held in connection with his death.

A coroner's report released over the weekend said Gatti died of asphyxiation after his body was "suspended and hanged".

The findings have opened up the possibility of suicide - although friends and family are adamant the 37-year-old would not have taken his own life.

Rodrigues has been accused, but not charged, of strangling her husband with a purse strap as he slept.

Brazilian police have refused to confirm she is a suspect and prosecutors have until Wednesday to lay charges against here.