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07-12-2009, 08:35 AM | #21 |
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Shocking and terrible news.
R.I.P.
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07-12-2009, 10:10 AM | #22 |
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Multiple news sources using this graph . . not sure where it originated
Brazilian boxer and four-time world champion Acelino (Popo) Freitas told the G1 Web site of Brazil's largest TV network Globo that he was a close friend of Gatti and his wife, and that he "knew they were having some sort of problem and were about to separate."
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07-12-2009, 11:25 AM | #23 |
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Gatti's wife suspect
Police detain wife of former boxing champion Gatti
By TALES AZZONI, Associated Press Writer 33 minutes ago SAO PAULO (AP)—The wife of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti was detained as a suspect by Brazilian authorities Sunday following his death at a posh seaside resort. Police said 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues was taken into custody after contradictions in her interrogation. Gatti’s body was found early Saturday in a hotel room at the Porto de Galinhas resort in northeastern Brazil. The former junior welterweight champion was apparently strangled with the strap of a purse, which was found at the scene with blood stains, said Milena Saraiva, a spokeswoman for the Pernambuco state civil police. She told The Associated Press that the Canadian also had a head injury. The investigation was not complete, but Saraiva said authorities were preparing to present a formal accusation against Rodrigues, who denied being involved in her husband’s death. Police said Rodrigues, a Brazilian, could not explain how she spent nearly 10 hours in the room without noticing that Gatti was already dead. Police were investigating witness reports that the couple fought and Gatti was drunk when he returned to his room Friday night, Saraiva said, adding that police were told the pair were extremely jealous of each other and that he constantly complained of her clothing when she traveled to Brazil. Acelino “Popo” Freitas, a four-time world champion Brazilian boxer, told Globo TV’s Web site on Saturday that he was a close friend of Gatti and his wife and that he “knew they were having some sort of problem and were about to separate.” The couple’s 1-year-old son, who was unhurt, was with Rodrigues’ sister, Saraiva said. The 37-year-old Gatti, whose epic trilogy with Micky Ward branded him one of the most exciting fighters of his generation, retired in 2007 with a career record of 40-9 and 31 knockouts. Known for his straightforward punching and granite-like chin, Gatti captured the junior welterweight title in 1995, when he defeated Tracy Harris Patterson in Atlantic City.
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07-12-2009, 11:46 AM | #24 |
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From that description, it sounds like she hit him over the head (maybe from behind) and then used a purse strap to finish him off. A ten hour gap in time probably shows that he she did wasn't pre-meditated or thought out.
Terrible news.
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07-12-2009, 11:50 AM | #25 |
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Will, I spoke briefly last night to Russ Anber, as he is a former colleague, but I don't know him all that well, and he told me he had known Arturo since he was seven years old in Montreal, and Russ is crushed. He was also on TSN last night echoing the same sentiments.
I also attended a Gatti - Ward fight in Atlantic City...perhaps we were at the same fight.
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07-12-2009, 01:46 PM | #26 |
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Of all the recent deaths in boxing, this one has hit me hardest, i loved this guy. R.I.P Thunder
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07-12-2009, 02:28 PM | #27 |
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If that's what happened, talk about cold-blooded! First McNair's mistress shoots him while he's sleeping & now this?
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07-12-2009, 04:51 PM | #28 |
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Gatti was strangled; wife detained by police
The latest updates on the murder of Arturo Gatti will be posted all day today at www.ringsideboxingshow.com, The Boxing Amusement Park.
We've also posted all three Ward-Gatti fights, plus Gatti vs. Gabriel Ruelas. RIP, champ. |
07-12-2009, 04:54 PM | #29 |
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07-12-2009, 04:56 PM | #30 | |
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Quote:
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07-12-2009, 05:49 PM | #31 |
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Gatti's obituary from The Times (London)
It is sometimes said that you tell a smart boxer by just looking at his face. A clever boxer does not look like a boxer at all. Arturo Gatti wore the marks of his profession all over his face. But then few ever referred to Gatti as a smart boxer. He was a throwback, a brawler, a warrior. Gatti was a two-weight world champion, but a fearless fighter more suited to the 1930s than the modern era. He often ignored defensive stances to stand toe-to-toe with his opponent in a battle of strength and guts. He became a blue-collar hero, regularly packing the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City for his bouts. He was the most popular American television fighter in recent years. On four occasions The Ring magazine chose Gatti’s bouts as its fight of the year. His trilogy of bouts with Micky Ward in 2002 and 2003 were for no title, but brought both fame, fortune and hero status. After their first contest, the pair ended up side by side in a hospital emergency room, where they formed an unlikely bond and friendship. Ward subsequently trained Gatti for bouts he took towards the end of his fighting career. Nicknamed “Thunder”, Gatti carried the scars of battle with him. The blows he took squashed his nose. He suffered badly from cuts throughout his career, which resulted in numerous plastic surgeries. Many also feared that the punishment he took could lead to health problems later in life, although he did not live long enough for that. “I never expected Arturo to live to be 80 years old,” said Lou Di Bella, the promoter and former HBO television executive. “But it’s certainly a shock that he is dead at 37.” Born in Italy in 1972, Gatti was raised in tough circumstances in Montreal, Canada, where he took up boxing. He was in line to be selected to box for Canada at the Barcelona Olympics, but in 1991 opted instead to turn professional in the United States, settling in Jersey City. By 1995 he had a reputation as a thrilling fighter and moved into the world class, winning the IBF super-featherweight title with a points win over Tracy Harris Patterson at Madison Square Garden, New York. Gatti defended his title three times, once against Gabriel Ruelas, before moving up in weight and getting stopped by Angel Manfredy in 1997. He lost on two other occasions before running off four straight wins, setting up a big payday against Oscar De La Hoya in 2001. Although Gatti was knocked out in the fifth round of a one-sided fight, his almost cult-like following never wavered in its support. He captured the public imagination in the way, some said, of the Grateful Dead, the rock band, because the same people would come to his fights. But there was controversy, too. Just this week Joey Gamache is taking the New York State Athletic Commission to court over his 2000 bout with Gatti, alleging that Gatti was allowed to box despite having a significant weight advantage. Gamache was brutally knocked out and claims to still suffer from terrible migraines. It was the trilogy with Ward that re-established Gatti’s status, however. He lost the first thrilling bout by a split decision, but won the other two. All were brutal, although by the third contest, he had successfully adapted his style under James “Buddy” McGirt, his trainer, to become a smarter boxer. “I was sitting with him at the post-fight press conference — I can’t remember which one — and I looked at his hand and it was three times the normal size,” recalled Kathy Duva, of Main Events, his long-term promoter, “He gave me this goofy grin and said, ‘Yeah, I know. We’ll party tonight and I’ll go to the hospital tomorrow’.” After the third Ward bout, he beat Gianluca Branco to win the WBC light-welterweight title in 2004. He twice successfully defended the title before losing it to Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2005, his corner pulling him out after six rounds of a horribly one-sided contest. Gatti could barely lay a glove on Mayweather. That bout should have been the end for Gatti, but his popularity ensured that the offers would still keep coming in. In 2006 he was pitched in with Carlos Baldomir, a tough Argentinian who had recently taken the WBC welterweight title in an upset against Zab Judah, in an attempt to become a triple world champion. But Baldomir was too strong for a faded Gatti and he was stopped after nine painful rounds. Gatti had one more bout, against Alfonso Gómez, who had gained popularity on The Contender television show. He was to give Gatti one final, painful beating. Over the course of his career Gatti fought 49 times. He won 40 of the bouts, 31 by knockout. None of his fights were draws. “I remember walking away from his last fight, and somebody walked up to him in the casino late at night and congratulated him,” Duva said. “And he said, ‘Why did he congratulate me?’ And I said, ‘He was excited to meet you’. And he kind of looked very surprised by that. He had no idea what an icon he was or how much he meant to people.” Gatti is survived by his wife and son. Arturo Gatti, boxer, was born on April 15, 1972. He was found dead on July 11, 2009, aged 37
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07-12-2009, 08:09 PM | #32 |
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WOW! ... Shocking ... This has been a bad few months. RIP
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07-12-2009, 09:33 PM | #33 |
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Shocking News ...
Arguello and Gotti, two great fighters, all in the space of a week or so. Also agree with hamed2 about the eerie similarity to the McNair situation, if the preliminary police reports on both turn out to be true.
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07-12-2009, 09:53 PM | #34 |
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Just horrible stuff. RIP to a guy with the heart of a champ. He and Arguello were two of the most entertaining fighters ever to lace up the gloves.
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07-13-2009, 08:31 AM | #35 |
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True & that poor 1 year old child of Arturo lost a father & maybe now the mother is the killer. Those 4 McNair sons lost a father, obviously a tough thing for them but at least they still have their mother.
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07-13-2009, 01:15 PM | #36 |
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Saddened and shocked by this. RIP Champ!
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07-13-2009, 03:27 PM | #37 |
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In Gatti's memory, I'll be producing a dream fight featuring Thunder at my Great Fights That Never Were thread. If you have someone you'd like to see him paired with whom he never fought, or even Gatti-Ward IV, please let me know here.
I never saw him live, but the electricity he produced, especially in Atlantic City, was palpable on television. Even when he was overmatched, as against Mayweather, the potential for an instant turnaround made him riveting. So, who will it be? Pacquaio? Hatton? Corrales? Cast your vote now ...
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07-13-2009, 09:22 PM | #38 |
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What is the world coming to I heard the Gatti news yesterday and this is the first I'm reading of Arguello's passing. I'm in the middle of a move and starting a new job. Just a damn shame I was watching the tribute to Gatti on ESPN Classic last night showed a lot of great bouts.
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07-13-2009, 09:23 PM | #39 |
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Saddened and shocked.
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07-15-2009, 11:50 AM | #40 |
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Lates newswire report
Gatti death: Lawyer asks for release of wife
By BRADLEY BROOKS, Associated Press Writer Jul 14, 6:41 pm EDT RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)—The Brazilian wife of Arturo Gatti asked to be released from jail, where she is held on accusations she strangled the former boxing champion with her purse strap as he drunkenly slept. Her lawyer told The Associated Press on Tuesday he petitioned a court to release Amanda Rodrigues while the investigation continues. Celio Avelino expects the court in Recife to rule on Wednesday at the earliest. Rodrigues told investigators she awoke Saturday about 6 a.m. to find her husband’s body in the apartment they rented in Porto de Galinhas, a seaside resort in Pernambuco state. She then called police, which Avelino said indicates her willingness to help authorities. But police said she was the only suspect and they are certain she killed Gatti in their apartment where they and their 10-month-old son arrived for a second honeymoon last week. The boy was unhurt and was in the care of Rodrigues’ family. Police spokeswoman Milena Saraiva told the AP the death may have even been premeditated and Rodrigues may have encouraged Gatti to drink excessively so she would be able to overpower him later. “He was very drunk and that made it easier for her,” Saraiva said. “He was sleeping when she did this. She waited for the moment when he was drunk enough for her to do it.” Saraiva stressed this was just one theory police were considering. She also said Gatti’s body was released to his brother and it was her understanding the body would be flown to Canada on Wednesday. Rodrigues told police she had a fight with Gatti after dinner on Friday and he pushed her to the ground, resulting in minor injuries to her elbow and chin. Witnesses also reported to police the couple fought and Gatti was drunk. Police said Gatti had marks on his throat, indicating he was strangled, and a knife wound to the back of his head. They displayed a bloodied, white purse strap that was found near Gatti’s body, along with a small steak knife. Saraiva said she could not confirm if Gatti was first strangled and then cut with the knife, or the opposite. Chuck Zito, an actor and close personal friend of Gatti, said he spoke with Gatti a few weeks ago, and the boxer told him the couple was “probably going to get a divorce.” Zito and Gatti met 13 years ago, when Zito was with Pamela Anderson and Raquel Welch at an Oscar De La Hoya fight. Gatti wanted to meet Welch, and the two men struck up a close relationship. Zito ended up accompanying Gatti to the ring for several of his most notable fights. Zito said Gatti met his wife at the strip club Scores in New York and that Gatti’s friends tried to talk him out of marrying her. AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta in New York contributed to this report.
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