Arturo Gatti RIP

Arturo Gatti, RIP was found dead at the seaside resort of Porto de Galihnas in Brazil on Saturday, July 10, 2009. Gatti's wife Amanda Rodrigues was said to have found him dead at 6:00 AM. Reports indicate there were ligature marks on his neck and also injury to the back of his head. Blood stains were found at the scene along with a purse strap and knife. Foul play was suspected. The autopsy report indicated that Gatti could have either been murdered, died by accident or killed himself. Gatti's wife was held as a suspect until a Brazilian judge ordered her released when police ruled that Gatti committed suicide by hanging.

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Gatti announced his retirement from boxing after his 7th round stoppage at the hands of former Contender contestant Alfonso Gomez at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on July 14, 2007. New Jersey State Athletic Commissioner Larry Hazzard took it upon himself to end the one sided beating knowing that neither the referee nor Mickey Ward in Gatti's corner would.

Gatti's move up to the welterweight division from 130 and 140 pounds where he had won his titles has not been too kind on him. No longer able to slim down to 140 lbs to fight as a junior welterweight and not big enough to fight at 147 lbs Gatti stated Hasta la vista, baby, I can't take this abuse anymore. I'm coming back - as a spectator. I'm retired.

Arturo Gatti Retires

Arturo "Thunder"Gatti

(40-9-0, 31 KOs)

Arturo Gatti, member of the Canadian National Team, training for the 1992 Summer Olympics turned professional boxer in 1991 at age of 19. Gatti has held the IBF super featherweight title from 1995-1997, WBC super lightweight title from 2004-2005 and the IBA welterweight title in 2006. In addition since turning pro four of Gatti's fights have been named Ring Magazine's "fight of the year".

Gatti, one of the most exciting fighters in boxing history is best known for his three fight trilogy (May 18, 2002, November 23, 2002, June 07, 2003) with Micky Ward. Gatti-Ward I and Gatti-Ward III were declared "fight of the year" by Ring Magazine. The Gatti-Ward fights were all out wars with neither fighter giving up, quitting or both giving it everything they had.

Gatt's worse loss of his career was to Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2005. Gatti took a beating for 6 rounds before his corner threw in the towel. Mayweather's hand speed was too quick and his punches too accurate for Gatti to overcome.

Gatti came back six months later moving up to welterweight divsion and reduced undefeated Thomas Damgaard into a bloody pulp winning an 11th round TKO and the IBA title. Gatti was once more at the top of his game.

Moving up in weight to the 147-pound division from 130 and 140 pounds where Gatti had first won his world titles put him at a disadvantage on June 22, 2006 when he fought Carlos Manuel Baldomir, the new WBC welterweight champion. Baldomir had too much size and power for Gatti. Down twice in round nine Gatti lost to Baldomir by a 9th round TKO.