What if Arturo Gatti had fought one of the big 3 at 140 ?

[shza]

Gatti was very well managed when he had a 140 lb title. Thats not to say he fought bums, the man faced the best of the best in Floyd Mayweather.

However Gatti never got around to fighting Zab Judah, Sharmba Mitchell or Kosta Tzyu.

But, what if Gatti had faced one of those 3 ?

Which one would he have had the best chance of beating ?

I'd say his best shot was against Sharmba Mitchell, who could be a brilliant boxer, but ran hot and cold often in his career. Mitchell also lacked a big punch unlike Judah and Tzyu.

I agree. He would have had the proverbial puncher's chance against Judah too, given Judah's weak chin and lapses in concentration.

But I wouldn't actually favor him to win any of those fights. (And I'd give him virtually zero chance against Tsyu.)

[Hulk]

Gatti was very well managed when he had a 140 lb title. Thats not to say he fought bums, the man faced the best of the best in Floyd Mayweather.

However Gatti never got around to fighting Zab Judah, Sharmba Mitchell or Kosta Tzyu.

But, what if Gatti had faced one of those 3 ?

Which one would he have had the best chance of beating ?

I'd say his best shot was against Sharmba Mitchell, who could be a brilliant boxer, but ran hot and cold often in his career. Mitchell also lacked a big punch unlike Judah and Tzyu.

I agree. He would have had the proverbial puncher's chance against Judah too, given Judah's weak chin and lapses in concentration.

But I wouldn't actually favor him to win any of those fights. (And I'd give him virtually zero chance against Tsyu.)

Definately would have a punchers chance against Mitchell or Judah. But, the thing with Judah is that he was just so blinding fast. Gatti was always kind of average or slow fighter so I don't know if he would be able to land on him. Ward certainly couldn't get much done against a young Judah in 98.

Tzyu was a tough fighter to face because of his big punch, very solid chin and way he went about picking opponents apart.

[Manos de Piedra]

Like you guys above I think Gatti's best chance would be against Mitchell then a very small one against Judah and next to zero against Tszyu.

[Andre]

Agreed his stand in front style wouldnt of fazed Tszyu probably would of been quite a one way fight and messy.

Judah more cagey and leery , so would of lasted longer and probably be the better to watch.

Mitchell who knows on the day, could of been a real bang up

[THE THIRD MAN]

Mitchell actually did okay in the first Tszyu fight, he was pulverised in fight number 2. Gatti V Tszyu wouldv'e been exciting, they talked about doing it, but i think Tszyu's lay off due to injury prevented it happening. Can't see Gatti beating Tszyu, he just would've got hit way to often and hard. I am more suprised that Mitchell V Judah never happened?

[Hulk]

Mitchell actually did okay in the first Tszyu fight, he was pulverised in fight number 2. Gatti V Tszyu wouldv'e been exciting, they talked about doing it, but i think Tszyu's lay off due to injury prevented it happening. Can't see Gatti beating Tszyu, he just would've got hit way to often and hard. I am more suprised that Mitchell V Judah never happened?

Yeah for a little while it seemed like Judah and Tszyu were avoiding Sharmba Mitchell. And that he might be the best in the division.

This was dispelled of course after the Mitchell lost twice to Tszyu.

[Prosinecki]

Saw a Gatti interview the other day from around 1997, talking about a possible matchup with Prince Naseem. Gatti was fighting at 130 at that point, Naz was at 126 and had just debuted in the US.

That fight would have been great fun.