Arturo “Thunder” Gatti died this weekend in a resort in Brazil, apparently strangled by his wife. He was probably best known for his three fight series with “Irish” Micky Ward. Among boxing fans, he was one of those always pointed to when trying to explain what “heart” was in a fighter. Gone too soon, and we’ll miss him.
Do lightweights die in 3s like celebrities? After Arguello and Gatti, I’d be concerned if I was Roberto Duran…
That must be one badass wife.
Wow. Helluva fighter for a while, and I loved the Micky Ward fights.
I agree. His wife must be one baaaaaad person.
From the report I heard, it’s my understanding he was strangled but also had blunt force trauma to the head. So I’m guessing she (if she did it) whacked him on the head first and then strangled him while he was out cold.
The reports I’ve read say he was passed out drunk when she first stabbed him in the head, then strangled him.
Gatti really was a warrior. Remember when he was asking for one more round against Mayweather and also gutting it out against Ward.
I always felt he could have gone a lot further with someone other than Buddy Mcgirt. He’ll definitely be missed in the sport.
I didn’t know Arguello was dead. But Gatti’s fights with Ward were classics.
Better to burn up than rust out, but this is rather taking it to the extreme.
Regards,
Shodan
Their relationship, by folks who liked him, has delicately been described as volatile. Even if he was passed out drunk and whacked on the head I’d be scared to mess with this guy.
Sad way to go, he seems to have been well liked and respected by those in the sport. Also sad for his wife that it came to this.
The first two Ward fights were the most brutal boxing matches I’ve ever seen. The third was decent, though not quite as good.
Considering the number of headshots he took in his career it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he’d gone permanently punch-drunk, a la Chris Benoit. 
I always liked watching Gatti’s fights. I always used to joke that he personified the Homer Simpson defense.
:eek: Didn’t see that one coming.
Unless she was some kind of crazy person, he must’ve been a bad bastard.