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Is Gatti Done???
Kyle Raymond - 6/30/2005
This past weekend we saw Arturo Gatti get beaten badly by Pretty boy Floyd. From the opening bell it was total domination and it didn't matter who was in the corner of Gatti because there was going to be no comeback. Gatti was knocked down at the end of the first round and was never in the fight. Now the question remains. Is Arturo Gatti done as a competitive fighter, or is there still life at the end of the tunnel?
Arturo Gatti used to be a blood and guts fighter but he was transformed by trainer Buddy McGirt to be a good boxer. Gatti used his skills to win a title belt and was on a good run until he met Mayweather. People thought Gatti was done after the De La Hoya fight in which he was beaten and stopped in the 5th round. The De La Hoya loss was the lowest moment in Gatti's career and most did think he was done as a competitive fighter. Now fast foreword to 2005 where he is in the same situation as a fighter and once again many think he is done. It is easy to think this, Gatti wasn't competitive and swelled up easily. Gatti never quit though and never stopped trying, but that is just the type of fighter he is. To me though, that shows a fighter is still in the game and still is hungry for more. The truth is, Arturo Gatti will sell out Atlantic City and will still be a draw for however long he chooses to fight. His crowd pleasing style will also draw viewers to HBO, where Gatti's bouts are usually aired. Arturo Gatti is not done as a competitive fighter and will have a few more, as he sells out the boardwalk and draws in the viewers at HBO.
There are quite a few options out there yet for Gatti when he resumes his career. The move that is most likely is to move up to welterweight where a few matches can be made to benefit Gatti. Don't expect Arturo Gatti to get in the ring with a slick fighter like Mayweather again, but look for him to fight a veteran or an unknown. Expect the same type of fights that Gatti fought after the Micky Ward fights. After the Ward fights he fought an unknown in Branco, a trail horse veteran in Leija, but in-between was a fighter coming up in weight. When Gatti resumes his career he could face a fighter like Cosme Rivera or maybe even Mike Stewart at a catch weight. Now it's impossible to choose who Gatti will face next, but it won't be a slick boxer and it won't be somebody who is on the top of his game.
Many people have said before they would put Arturo Gatti in the HOF, but I disagree. Gatti will leave a legacy of his own, but after the Mayweather performance he can't be considered on that level of a fighter. Gatti will be remembered as a wonderful crowd pleaser that made good fights and gave his all. Overall when writers talk about Arturo Gatti they will say he is a B level fighter who beat most guys, but fell short when getting in there with the best. Arturo Gatti will fight a few more matches and call it a day. He has won the titles, made the money, and made great fights. That's more than most fighters can say and he will be remembered for it
FINAL FLURRIES
Matt Vanda beat Yori Boy Campas by split decision last weekend. He looked improved, but I still don't think he won the fight. He will get a couple bigger matches out of it though. Hopefully an all local match can be made with Vanda and Tony Bonsantem, who was on The Contender. The time is perfect with the attention Bonsante has gotten and Vanda is the biggest draw in the state of Minnesota. I'd take Bonsante by unanimous decision
Sam Peter fights Taurus Sykes this weekend and I think he is going to stop him in the 9th round. Sykes will hold his own in this match and it should be good. Peter has a lot of hype around him right now so we'll see if he is the future.
Troy Lowry upset Santiago Samaniego and showed how good of a fighter he really is. Lowry looked good and I thought beat Vanda, but he didn't get the decision. He then lost to Chris Holt, but looked brilliant this fight. I had the pleasure to work a little bit with his trainer Ron Peterson before my fight and Troy is a good fighter and hard worker. Keep it up Troy.
This weekend I'm taking Fred Moore over George Jones. Moore is another local fighter who is doing well lately too, as he beat James Lubwama and held his own with Prince Badi Amaju. Good luck to Fred Moore this weekend.
Well that's it folks, take care, and keep rolling with the punches
Kyle Raymond
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