Former champ and fan favorite Arturo Gatti was found dead in his room at a seaside hotel in Porto de Galihnas, Brazil. Gatti, 37, had arrived at the resort the previous day with his Brazilian wife and 1-year-old son. Police are investigating the cause of death but 'foul play' is reportedly suspected. Gatti's wife and son were unhurt.
Gatti, best known for his memorable trilogy with Micky Ward, retired in 2007 with a career record of 40-9 with 31 knockouts.
Update: Gatti's wife, 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues, has been detained by police on the assumption that she strangled a drunken Gatti with her purse strap while he slept. Reports indicate Gatti also had a head injury.
More on this tragedy as additional details become available:
The Death of Arturo Gatti: Still So Many Unanswered Questions ...
Comments
Gatti was a tremendous fighter with heart. There is a related post at http://iamsoannoyed.com/?page_id=588
What a sad headline. When you think about the word “warrior,” Arturo Gatti’s name was always near the top.
His boxing style and tremendous heart embodied the essence of boxing and gave fans so many exciting moments. His battles with Mickey Ward were legendary. You could be sure that when the fight was over, win or lose, he left everything in the ring.
If foul play is involved, his death becomes even more of a tragedy.
Terrible tragedy, Gatti was from that ‘old school’ form of boxing where real men would leave their hearts in the ring and then shake hands and show respect. He had so many great fights and was such a warrior, he’ll always be remembered fondly in the boxing community.
Andrew we have to stop meeting this way. eleven days ago it was Alexis and yesterday it was Arturo. in between, i got no respite, with Steve McNair. could this be the price of extreme popularity that comes with fame? Less we should forget “the man in the mirror” who started us down this sinister path on June 25th.
Unlike Ali and Arguello, my two favorite fighters, there is no physical beauty, charm, poetry in motion here. just what men and women were all created equal with – the will to survive and with our God given hands as tools. Gatti used his as weapons of destruction before his opponents did the same to him. so many blows so much blood so much gore. he took as well as he gave. it hurt me to watch his fights but like so many i anticipated and enjoyed his prowess.
they say his young wife strangled him with a purse strap on their second honeymoon after an evening of drinking and fighting. i wonder if he was on the couch sleeping too?
I said to friends after his first fight with Ward that if I ever met him, I would gladly give him $50 for the non-PPV fight that gave me so much more than a real PPV fight. He made me a boxing fan for life and I now go back and watch historical battles all because of him. Gatti was my real life Rocky and will be sorely missed.
Rest well Thunder.
When you think of Gatti you think of a Charismatic fighter who was a draw to the fight fan Win,Lose,or Draw… His Left Hook made memories against Ruelas,Rodriguez,Millet..and the Ward trilogy made blood brothers of the two of them..
He would swell the momment the bell rang and cut with a feint of a jab…but you rooted for him and right now…i still am,
Win, lose or draw you know that Gatti gave it his all. Unlike many fighters today there was never a need to tell Gatti you have to step it up or you are behind on points and have to knock him out.
He was not the most talented fighter, probably by a wide margin. But hwo would not pay $50 to see one of his fights on PPV. It is amazing he lasted so long with as many wars as he had.
RIP
It’s so sad to see a one of boxing greatest,found dead in a hotel room.He sure wasn’t one of the most talented fighter,but he sure was full of heart and guts.He was always fan favourite,win or loose,don’t matter…He was one of those fighters that i look up to.When i fight in the ring,i would think about him,try to throw a punch like him.
R.I.P. Arturo “Thunder” Gatti!
Gatti was a fighter who against all odds with sheer will forged a name and much success for himself and was good for boxing. There was a certain “zeal” he brought to the ring as only he could. To get wacked like this is sad but should get his name in pictures, how about it Hollywood? Gatti deserves it! RIP Thunder you will be missed!
I WAS SAD TO HEAR ABOUT GATTI! HE WAS A GOOD FIGHTER! PRAYER TO FAMILIA.