Forever Thunder – Remembering Arturo Gatti

© Jim Everett / Saddo Boxing

As fans of boxing, we all gravitate towards certain fighters for different reasons. Some like a fighter because of their resume of talent faced, others like the knockout artist, while perhaps it’s the fast pace a particular boxer keeps or maybe it’s just because there is a fighter who is so technically gifted that every fight is like a clinic in motion.

The reason why you follow your favorite ring warrior really doesn’t matter because, when it comes time for the bout to begin, there is nothing anyone can say to sway your emotions. You will cheer for them until the end and at the final bell, you will either celebrate their victory or wallow in their defeat.

Boxing unlike most sports, allows you to become emotionally involved in the fighter. There is only one man you are rooting for, one man who’s actions draw you toward them and in time, if you follow that fighter close enough, they become part of you for that 36 minutes they are between the ropes.

It can’t be helped; once you become a fan of a ring great, it’s as if you have become part of the support team. During bouts, you find yourself screaming encouragement when your fighter is doing well and shouting out advice to them during times of peril.

Inside, you know they can’t hear you, you know their corner is not going to relay the advice between rounds, yet almost uncontrollably, your emotions take over and you become part of the fighter.

While we follow so many fighters in hopes that they succeed to the highest level, there are so very few that manage to capture our emotions for a lifetime.

Those rare men who become immortal in our hearts are those who have fought hard, showed skill, charisma and heart. They are the fighter that we know left a part of themselves in the ring after a hard fought bout, ones we know who never took the easy way out and the ones we know that fought just as hard for us as they did for themselves.

Arturo Gatti was one of those warriors.

When Arturo fought in the ring, we tuned in not just for the bout itself but because we knew there was going to be something special happening in the ring that night. When Arturo would step between the ropes, the crowd reaction was deafening, the hair on your arms stood straight on end.

You made sure there was no reason to leave your seat and then braced yourself for war. Regardless of who that evening’s opponent was, we were guaranteed to have an event worth well beyond our dollars spent and the bout would certainly our main topic of conversation for days to come.

It would take a novel to even begin and mention some of my favorite Gatti moments in the ring. There was his first minor title win over Pete Taliaferro, his IBF super featherweight defense against Gabe Ruelas, Gatti’s first Ring Magazine “Fight of the Year” award when he faced “Mighty” Ivan Robinson and the three legendary showdowns with Micky Ward.

There were his heart breaking losses when Gatti faced Floyd Mayweather Jr, Carlos Baldomir and even against Alfonso Gomez, when Arturo was long past his best days, unable to sustain one of his legendary back and forth battles due to years of punishment in the ring.

Each and every fight showed what true heart was, making us proud to have witnessed such acts of courage, win or lose in the ring.

But Gatti was more than just a warrior in the ring. He was also one of the sport’s most beloved figures outside of it as well. You’d be hard pressed to find Arturo Gatti without a smile on his face, always happy to say a few words or wave to the fans. Gatti just had the type of personality that drew you towards him.

He was king of the boardwalk in his adopted home of Atlantic City whenever one of his bouts were scheduled to take place at the seaside New Jersey getaway. The town buzzed with excitement, knowing their favorite son would enter the ring to do battle once again.

Trying to explain the atmosphere he created does it little justice, as it was just something one would have to had experienced themselves to fully appreciate the full effect of what a Gatti fight night was.

There was nothing like it and perhaps there never will be again.

As I sit writing this article, I try to find the appropriate words to describe the shock and sadness that surrounds the boxing community at the loss of Arturo, but no matter how hard I try nothing seems appropriate.

It is with a heavy heart that I will finish off my thoughts on Arturo Gatti’s career along with members of our senior staff.

Saddo: Webmaster
Farewell Champ, it’s a sad loss to the boxing world. Your heart and boxing will be well missed. So sorry to see the passing of such a legend; Rest In Peace.

Curtis McCormick: News Editor
I had the great fortune to accompany Ricky Hatton and his team to Arturo Gatti’s penthouse suite in Atlantic City on the morning of his WBC title defense against Floyd Mayweather in 2005.

Arturo was a true gentleman and a very generous, hospitable host in his quiet manner. He drew great respect from everyone in the room as we were all in complete awe of this man who had already accomplished what most fighters can only dream of.

I was saddened to watch the great warrior lose to Mayweather later that day but it’s nothing compared to the heartbreak I feel now as the most courageous boxer I have ever seen in the ring has passed on far too early.

Jane Warburton: Assistant Editor Europe and Africa
Arturo ‘Thunder’ Gatti was probably best remembered for the trio of Mickey Ward fights, two of which were awarded ‘Fight of the Year’ status. In particular, round 9 of Gatti vs Ward I was a stunner that could have come straight out of a ‘Rocky’ film.

It achieved the accolade of ‘Greatest Round in History’ and despite eventually losing on points, Gatti earned great respect and went on to win twice against Ward on points. His death is another sad loss to the boxing community and even more so because of his young age.

Daxx Kahn: Assistant Editor North and South America
Arturo Gatti was one of a kind. To watch him in the ring was not only a thrill but an inspiration. It is not often that a fighter gives so much of himself from the opening bell to the finish.

I have no one particular favorite moment of his because in truth, there was never a moment that did not thrill us; he was the “Human Highlight Reel”. I was saddened at the news of his death. There will never be another like him and he set the standard on what all champions should be made of on the inside.

Lee Bellfield: Senior Writer
Wow, hard to put into words about such a loss. Gatti was involved in some truly memorable fights. The trilogy with Mickey Ward obviously stands out and as well as his profile match up with Floyd Mayweather. The Gatti I like to remember is the one back in 1997 when he fought Gabriel Ruelas on the Lewis vs Golota bill.

In the fight of that year, Gatti absorbed more than 15 consecutive punches before being saved by the bell. In the fifth, he connected on a left hook to knock Ruelas out. That for me personified Gatti. Rest In Peace, champ.