Arturo "Thunder" Gatti found dead in Brazil
37-year old Arturo "Thunder" Gatti, the Canadian brawler who became the adopted son of New Jersey's Boardwalk Hall and one of the most memorable, gritty, and exciting action fighters of his era, has reportedly been found dead in a condo he was renting in Brazil.
Gatti is best-known for his epic trilogy with "Irish" Micky Ward, and also for his valiant, overmatched efforts against the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar de la Hoya. His career was one to be fondly remembered, and it will be. He made a lot of fans simply because he fought his guts out every single time he was in the ring. I say with all praise that he was a tremendously limited fighter who made himself a world titlist and a name in this sport because of his courage as a fighter and his willpower to keep fighting and fighting until he had nothing more to give.
Early reports are that the death could be a homicide, as Gatti's wife, Amanda, reportedly found him dead in the condo when she woke up today, and it appeared he had been struck in the back of the head.
I really don't have the proper words right now, because this comes as quite a shock, obviously. We'll have a lot more on Arturo Gatti's career and this horrible tragedy.
Some quick stuff posted in the past at BLH:
Gatti v. Leonard Dorin KO (Video)
Welcome Back, Arturo (Pre-Fight, Gatti-Gomez)
Gatti walks away (Post-Fight, Gatti-Gomez)
The first-ever BLH proper "LiveBlog," which has changed over time and become our RBR was Baldomir-Gatti. It's notable for how bad I was at RBR, and for the SBN servers being funky and having to post rounds one through seven at once. That was the first time I had a bunch of folks over for a fight at my old apartment, too. It wasn't the best Gatti fight, but everyone had a good time.
Update by SC (5:56 PM ET): The Associated Press is now reporting Gatti's death, with some quotes from the scene:
Update by SC (9:13 PM ET): Gatti's wife, Amanda Rodrigues, is a suspect in what now appears to be Gatti's murder. She is innocent until proven guilty, but police said her testimony had inconsistencies."There were no bullet or stab wounds on his body, but police did find blood stains on the floor," she said, adding that his wife and son were unhurt.
The spokeswoman, who did not provide further details, declined to be identified because she was not authorized to comment on the case.
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I'm in shock
These deaths keep on coming.
RIP Thunder, you are and always will be a warrior.
"And Joe for Matt Hughes, dislike may not be a strong enough adjective!" - Mike Goldberg
wow so sad
he was one of my favorites. i went to a bunch of his fight in ac including the second patterson fight.
unreal
To be honest, I feel like I should be more shocked than I really am. Maybe I’m just numb to all this shit now. I’m going to try to not let this put a damper on tonight’s fight. We should all tip one for Gatti tonight.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"
damn
that sux. Sad. He was one of my favorite fighters as he was for many due to the reasons SC mentioned. RIP.
-Brian
sweet mother of god this is just dumbfounding. i came home expecting to read about an excellent night in boxing, and this comes up. gatti-ward I will always be my favorite fight
RIP you great warrior
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Jul 12, 2009 3:28 AM EDT reply actions
ESPN says that he was strangled with the strap of a purse and that his wife can’t explain why she spent 10 hours in the room without noticing that he was dead.
Boxing writer: "Iran, what are you going to do when you retire?"
Iran Barkley: "Rob your house"

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