Boxing Perspective: Thank You Arturo

Somehow thanks just doesn’t see to be enough….

At the start of 2007, most of us had the same questions. Was it going to be a year to remember as promised by the promoters, or was it going to be another year of proposed fights that never seem to materialize with just enough excitement thrown in to keep us hanging on with anticipation?

Well, personally for me, 2007 thus far has been everything I could ask and more, with still more to come this fall. The return of Vitali Klitschko will have business in the heavyweight rankings pick up, plus we are finally going to be witness to Joe Calzaghe and Mikkel Kessler for the undisputed super middleweight crown. Folks, 2007 has been a great year for boxing indeed.

Unfortunately as the old expression goes, “It can’t all be good”, on May 7 we lost one of our bravest warriors and a true champion in Diego Corrales when the former two division world title holder died in a tragic motorcycle accident.

When the news was released to the boxing community, we all stood still in shock. Corrales had given us some of the most exciting fights of not only this era, but throughout the history of our sport. He will be greatly missed.

The second moment of 2007 that saddened me took place Saturday, July 14. It was supposed to be a moment for our modern day “Throwback” of the past, Arturo Gatti, to shine once again.

Gatti, who has had a run of bad luck, so to speak, was looking to shine one last time in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Gatti’s adopted hometown. Arturo had lost his last bout by seventh round TKO to former undisputed welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir and had been contemplating retirement.

This bout was supposed to be his last hurrah so to speak. If successful, the man aptly nicknamed “Thunder” would make the decision on whether to continue or hang them up, depending on his performance. What was to come had never entered his or his camp’s mind.

The night was thought out carefully. A hometown venue to give the crowd advantage to Gatti, something more important then many realize. Next, the right card to showcase his return to the ring; HBO and their welterweight triple header.

This way, no matter who the fans tuned to watch, Arturo would be showcased right dab in the middle of Kermit Cintron and Antonio Margarito’s title defenses. Last but not least, the perfect opponent was found; Alfonso Gomez of “The Contender” season one series.

Gomez, more of a junior middleweight than a welter, had a size advantage but lacked the punch to hurt Gatti. Alfonso is known more as a boxer and would be able to give Arturo a tough bout. So, it did not appear to be a walkover, leaving fans in question. Yet, if need be, Gatti could resort back into the all-out style in which made him famous. A style everyone from Gatti’s side was certain that Gomez could not handle.

That’s when it happened. Like it has to so many great fighters of the past. Men like Ali, Robinson, Louis, Arguello, Leonard. The bell rang and there was nothing left to offer. No offense landed with meaning. The feet could not move quick enough to avoid shots that at one point and time would not have come close. Switching strategy seemed hopeless. Every move Gatti made, Gomez was not one but two steps ahead of him.

The thoughts of the fights against Ivan Robinson and Micky Ward entered my mind, when even in defeat, Gatti was bringing the crowd to life. His bouts with Angel Manfredy, Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather flashed in front of my eyes, when even while taking a beating, Arturo came forward, pressing the action and making sure that he gave himself every chance possible.

This was a two division title holder. This was a human highlight reel. This was the man you cheered for no matter what, because in him he had that warrior you respected. As I have said before, the only time you left an Arturo Gatti fight disappointed is because he lost.

From the opening bell, Gomez put the pressure on. His jab scored at will. Every punch appeared to hurt Gatti. Gatti did not stand and fight like in the past. He moved around the ring, hoping to survive. The instructions to box given by his corner between rounds could not be executed. It was almost as if Gatti had been stripped of every ability he had in his arsenal.

Slowly as the fight wore on, Gatti looked more like a fighter to pad Gomez’s record rather then Gomez being there to help Arturo shine. When the bell that ended round six sounded, it became almost painful to watch any more. I sat in hopes that Gatti’s corner would stop the fight.

When the seventh round started and Gomez continued to punish Gatti, I turned my head away in disbelief. When Gatti finally hit the canvas during the seventh, I felt relief. For the first time in my life, I was glad to see an opponent knocked out. Glad not because Gatti hit the canvas, but because it was over.

Arturo had had enough and didn’t deserve to be punished anymore. My heart wished he had went out on a win. My mind knew the bout should have been stopped sooner. My emotions told me Gatti went out the way he always did. Trying his best to please the fans and somehow looking for a way to turn things around for the win. His body and reflexes were just unable to cooperate.

I think perhaps the most disturbing moment of the night was watching Gatti lay on the canvas then get up so quickly, unaware the bout had even been halted. The look of confusion in his eye’s followed by disappointment is one that will remain in my mind for a long time to come.

Ted Sares, a fellow writer and boxing reform activist, recently posted in a discussion “Fall in love with a fighter and they will break your heart every time”. That discussion had to do with the behavior and eventual outcome of the way some fighters seem to throw away success, but somehow seems fitting in this situation.

You see, we as fans and even writers follow our favorite boxers loyally. We watch them develop. We share in their success and share in their shortcomings. It is this devotion that makes boxing different from any other sport. Unlike football, baseball or basketball, where it is the team that is followed. When those teams are on top, or on the bottom, it is a brand that fails, not an individual.

Boxing depends on the success of that single individual. When he fails, it is that person alone who feels the brunt of our unhappiness. When he succeeds, he alone is the one who shines in the glory. It is that reason why boxing, for those who follow it so devoutly, is such an emotional sport. Arturo Gatti can never be accused of breaking his fan’s hearts. I think I speak for many when I say that on July 14, our hearts broke for him.

Gatti will never be mistaken as a pound for pound legend. Some even question if he will make it to the Hall of Fame, despite world titles in two separate weight classes and a two time participant in Fight of the Year, once in 1998 against Ivan Robinson then again in 2002 against Micky Ward.

One thing that I can promise you though, is this; we will miss Arturo. When times were bleak for boxing and we craved action bouts, he was there. Win or lose, Gatti left it all on the table. Never once was it questioned if he was worth the price of a ticket. Never once did we question his will. Most importantly, never once did he disgrace himself or the sport.

Enjoy retirement ,Arturo. Live every day knowing that you did your job and you did it well. When the time comes for us to recall fighters of the past who showed what the meaning of heart, desire and determination stand for, it will be your name among the top of the list. You will be the example used by not only fans, but trainers and promoters alike.

You will forever be our generation’s throwback fighter.

The only thing I can do is to say, “Thank you for all the memories”, even though it hardly seems like enough.