Adam Smith looks back at one of the most entertaining boxers of his generation, Arturo Gatti.
Tragic end for one of the most thrilling fighters of the modern era
What dreadfully sad news filtered through to me on Saturday night; it was a bolt from the blue.
Arturo 'Thunder' Gatti, the sensational gladiator, had been found dead in his hotel room in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil, while beginning a 'second' honeymoon. It seemed to have taken place amidst mysterious circumstances, and police have detained his wife, 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues. Speculation is that Gatti had been strangled with the straps of a handbag. How utterly tragic. Arturo was the same age as me - just 37.
Arturo Gatti was quite simply one of the most exciting fighters of his generation. He was born in Italy on April 15, 1972, raised in Montreal and from his pro debut lived in Jersey City where he became a cult figure.
Gatti's blood and guts, thrill-a-minute style had the fans gripped; yet one mustn't forget, he was also a two-weight world champion and that's no mean feat in terms of class. He did possess fine skills, which people often forget. That said, his main asset was of course the fact that he never ever shied away from anything.
Gatti came through to win the IBF super-featherweight title, when he beat the highly decent Tracy Harris Patterson on December 15, 1995.
Turnarounds
He had a whole host of amazing fights. I remember his defence against Wilson Rodriguez, one of many back-from-the-brink turnarounds, which Gatti won by 6th round stoppage. It was Ring Magazine's fight of the year.
There was that brutal war with Gabriel Ruelas on October 4, 1997. Gatti withstood a knockdown, and in the 4th, incredibly survived 17 unanswered punches. He knocked Ruelas out with a single shot in the fifth. It was another fight of the year.
Gatti had a pair of memorable battles with Ivan Robinson; the second was 1998's fight of the year.
The 'Thrillogy' with the hard-hitting 'Irish' Micky Ward in 2002-2003 will live on forever.
Unbelievable
I was fortunate enough to commentate on several of Arturo's fights (I really enjoyed his quick win over the big-punching Terron Millett), but the first war with Ward was the most astonishing. The ninth round of their opening encounter was unbelievable; for me that ranked right up there with the first round of Hagler-Hearns, the 10th of Bowe-Holyfield 1, the 10th of Corrales-Castillo 1, and recently the first round of Torres-Holt 2.
Having lost the first fight with Ward, Gatti then surprisingly but cleverly adapted his style under Buddy McGirt to box more, and won both of their next two tussles, even after suffering a knockdown and a broken hand in the third. More 'fights of the year'. See the theme here!
Gatti and Ward were entwined forever, and, as is so often the case in boxing, became great friends - after sharing their savage wars. They often talked of feeling each other's spirit in the lonely squared circle.
Ward began to ringwalk with his old rival and then even trained Gatti at the end of his fabulous career.
Brave
Gatti was also the WBC light-welterweight champion, after beating the well-schooled Italian Gianluca Branco, and then sent Jesse James Leija crashing into retirement.
He took on hard, pretty much unwinnable fights against superstars Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather but found that they were just too slick and technically good. But boy was he brave.
I 'called' his last fight against 'The Contender' Alfonso Gomez on July 14, 2007 and was so happy that he retired afterwards. Arturo owed us absolutely nothing.
What a shame, that on July 11, 2009 - less than two years into one of the most deserved retirements imaginable, he was dead.
Arturo began boxing at just eight and he turned Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall into his fortress. He was adored, beloved and respected for his 'Gatti-esque' courage. Arturo was so popular that he headlined on American TV giants HBO 20 times. He earned his place as the most thrilling fighter to watch - possibly of the whole modern era.
Arturo's final boxing tally read 40-9 with 31 wins by stoppage. He will never be forgotten.
Tragic
I've been watching his highlights back since I heard the news. The man gave us so much. He emptied his heart and soul in there. How cruel that he was taken in such terrible circumstances.
Arturo Gatti and Diego Corrales were two of my favourite fighters of the last decade or so. We lost Diego in a high-speed motorcycle accident at 29. Now Arturo goes at 37. Too many boxing tales end tragically.
Arturo was always happy to have pictures taken, sign autographs, and speak to fans in one of the four languages he had mastered. He was a normal guy, who liked a drink and a laugh, and never truly realised that he had achieved rock star status.
Arturo Gatti typified true gladiatorial spirit, whilst being ever so pleasant and charismatic out of the ring. So often he'll be referred to as the 'Human Highlight Reel' - a ring warrior who win or lose, provided drama each and every time.
Proper fighter
Gatti, a modern ring icon whose death has left fight fans stunned and saddened. I won't forget the soft smile lighting up that often black and blue face; he just epitomised everything about being a proper fighter.
What with the legendary Alexis Arguello's recent passing and the death of the great Irish World bantamweight champion Johnny Caldwell at 71 last weekend too, it has been a sad time for the sport.
We've also lost Ingemar Johansson, Jose Torres, Chris Finnegan, Greg Page and commentary legend Reg Gutteridge in 2009.
There will surely be a poignant tolling of the 10 bells at Amir Khan's world title challenge against Andreas Kotelnik in Manchester on Saturday night, where I for one will be thinking of all of our lost friends and fighters.
None more so than Arturo' Thunder' Gatti, who almost without parallel will long be remembered as the real-life modern Rocky.
