Sport: Boxing
Born: April 15, 1972
Died: July 11, 2009
Town: Jersey City, New Jersey
Arturo Gatti was born April 15, 1972 in Cassino Italy and raised in Montreal before moving to Jersey City when he was 19. A talented all-around athlete, Arturo played hockey and soccer as a boy in Canada and had his first boxing match at the age of 8. His quickness and punching skills came in handy against bullies, who often picked on him because he was undersized. After his father died, when Arturo was 15, he became serious about boxing as a way to make a living.
Arturo had success in the amateur ranks in Canada and won some international bouts. In 1991, he moved to New Jersey to begin his pro career. He was a popular figure in Jersey City, making many lifelong friends. Arturo won his first six fights—including a 19-second knockout—moving quickly from dingy arenas to undercards at the Meadowlands and at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. He suffered his first loss to King Solomon on a split decision in the fall of 1992 and did not lose again until 1998, when he moved up from the Super Featherweight to the Lightweight division.
During his remarkable six-year run, Arturo beat Tracy Patterson for the IBF Super Featherweight crown in 1995 and made several spectacular title defenses, including a knockout of Gabriel Ruelas that was named “Fight of the Year” by The Ring. He also signed a lucrative contract with HBO and became a favorite of fight fans around the world for his ability to recover from early-round problems and win fights in the final rounds—often going toe-to-toe in violent slugfests. And no one could take multiple direct-hits better than Arturo.
Arturo lost a 2001 meeting with Oscar de la Hoya, who later said Arturo was the hardest puncher he’d ever faced. The following year, Arturo dropped a fight to Mickey Ward. Arturo won his next two fights, both against Ward in Atlantic City. He went on to capture the WBC Super Lightweight title in 2004, holding it for 11 months before losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2005. Arturo won the IBA Welterweight title in his next fight, but dropped his next two bouts before announcing his retirement. He was 40–9 for his career, with 31 knockouts.
Arturo returned to Canada, where he managed his real estate investments. In the summer of 2009, Arturo and his wife, Amanda, traveled to Brazil for her sister’s wedding. On July 11, he was found dead in his hotel room. Amanda was arrested and charged with murder. The coroner later ruled his death a suicide. Controversy still surrounds the details of his death. In 2012, Arturo was inducted posthumously into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.