If you did not enjoy watching Human Highlight Film Arturo Gatti fight, then you shouldn’t call yourself a boxing fan.
The comparisons are inevitable. When it comes to being a fan friendly fighter in the ring and a fighter who graciously received and returned the love of fans outside of it, “Thunder” Gatti and Manny Pacquiao had much in common.
Gatti, who never had the overall boxing skill of the Pacman nor the worldwide popularity, died under msyerious circumstances in Penambuco, Brazil, on Saturday.
Police are investigating a possible murder at the seaside hotel where Gatti was visiting.
Unconfirmed reports have it that Gatti and his Brazilian wife were in conflict and may have been on the verge of separation or divorce.
If you asked me, off the top of my head, to name the three most incredible value for money boxers I ever saw in person, I might quickly list Pacquiao, Gatti and a fellow out of Detroit named Thomas “Hitman” Hearns.
No one ever looked for a refund after the bouts of any one of this trio.
There’s another possible tie between Pacquiao and Gatti, who died too soon at just 37.
Pacman has fought two wars against Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez while Gatti, a Montreal resident who fought out of Jersey City, NJ, had the thrill a minute trilogy against Irish Mickey Ward.
I still think, no matter what else the future holds for Pacman and Juan Ma, they will fight a third time.
If the third fight brings as much excitement as did the first two bouts did, you can be sure TV announcers and others in the media will analogize Marquez-Pacquiao to the Gatti-Ward series.
One more thing Manny and “Thunder” Gatti will someday have in common.
Gatti was a lock for admission to the International Boxing Hall Of fame based on the Ward bouts and widespread popularity,
including all those sellout crowds he attracted to Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.
Unfortunately, Gatti, who quit after losses to Carlos Baldomir and Alfonso Gomez, will be enshrined posthumously.
It would just seem natural if Ward accepted the honor on his behalf. No big brainstorm there, just common sense.
Pacquiao will be a landslide selection for the shrine in Canastota, NY, as soon as his five years after retirement waiting period is done.
Many fighters talk about giving all their blood, sweat and tears to the paying customers.
Guys like Gatti and Pacquiao make it their professional creed.
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