Ringside Boxing Report: Arturo Gatti – Alfonso Gomez / Kermit Cintron – Walter Matthysse
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Saturday night at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City was a bittersweet victory for promoter Main Events; as a superstar emerged another would come to the end of their career. The 9,437 fans in attendance all came out to watch their hero Arturo Gatti comeback to the ring after a year lay off to defeat Alfonso Gomez, an opponent who was carefully hand picked as someone tailor made for Gatti’s style. Instead they witnessed the end for their aging hero and the beginning for a new superstar Kermit Cintron who destroyed Walter Matthysse in devastating fashion inside two rounds.
For Cintron this was his first defense of his IBF Welterweight Championship since winning the vacant title against Mark Suarez by TKO6 last October. Difficulties with his old promoter Bobby Bostick kept him inactive in the ring until returning to Main Events.
Cintron dominated Matthysse knocking him down for this first time in his career at the end of the first round with a straight right. He continued his onslaught knocking him down again early in the second round with another straight right. Although Matthysse was able to pull himself off the canvas his legs appeared to be shot as he was met with an onslaught from Cintron and was assaulted with a combination left hook, left uppercut and solid right to the side of his head that had him out on his feet before hitting the canvas.
The devastating knock out victory for Cintron, 28-1 (26), gives him the opportunity for bigger fights. During the post fight press conference he confirmed he is willing to fight anybody, calling out all other welterweight title holders, Shane Mosley and the winner of the Gatti fight Alfonso Gomez.
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Gatti unfortunately was on the other end of the spectrum from his Main Events stable mate. During the opening round his timing seemed to be off and he appeared to be somewhat sluggish in the ring. For most of the early rounds he tried to use his jab but landed only a small percentage and more time than less was met with a counterpunch from Gomez.
The seventh round the fight went from bad to worse for Gatti as Gomez landed several power punches and relentlessly attacked his body. Compubox would later confirm Gomez landed 40 of 62 power shots in the round. As Gatti took abuse from the barrage of punches the crowd tried chanting for their hero, “Gatti, Gatti, Gatti†louder and louder as he took more and more punishment trying to bring him back into the fight. He would try a few desperate wide hay makers to turn the tide but could not come up with any solutions to the attack from Gomez.
A final devastating right hand from Gomez forced the exhausted Gatti to slump to the canvas. Always the champion, Gatti attempted to get to his feet during the referee’s count but thankfully the New Jersey Athletic Commissioner Larry Hazzard jumped into the ring calling a halt to the bout.
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Watching the fight from ringside I wasn’t sure why the referee or Gatti’s new trainer Mickey Ward didn’t stop the fight themselves; maybe they felt that he could come back as he has done so many times before in his career. Larry Hazzard should be praised for his quick action and putting a halt to any further punishment that Gatti could have tried to endure.
There was an overwhelming sense of shock throughout the crowd. Many ringside observers could be heard yelling, “We love you Gatti†as he exited the ring for what many felt and hoped should be the last time. It is a truly a rare occurrence in boxing to have such a devoted fan base especially after suffering a third knock out loss in his last four fights.
Kathy Duva CEO of Main Events arrived at the post fight press conference with her eyes welling up to let the media know that Gatti would not be in attendance because he was already on his way to the hospital to get his lip stitched up. She also delivered the inevitable news that Gatti had announced his retirement to HBO before he left Boardwalk Hall stating he cannot compete at 147 pounds and is unable to make the 140 pound limit anymore.
Alfonso Gomez attended the press conference and wished that Gatti was present so he could thank him for the opportunity and give him a hug. Although the victory for Gomez may be overshadowed by the poor performance of the aging Gatti, nothing should be taken away from him. Gomez prepared well for the fight and made the most of his opportunity with a stellar performance.
Gomez would receive what he felt was the ultimate compliment as 140 pound title holder Paulie Malignaggi was in attendance congratulating him on his win and stating he would like to move up to 147 pounds to challenge him. Gomez would say it was an honor to be called out by a current champion.
I feel that the torch of the warrior has officially been passed. For Gomez he received the passing of the torch from Gatti, while for Main Events they will pass the torch from their old superstar to their newly emerged one, Cintron.
Although Arturo Gatti may never be considered one of the pound for pound best in the sport he will always be considered a hero to anyone who ever watched him in the ring. He always came to the ring with a never give up style and tremendous heart that the fans will never forget.
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