Arturo Gatti: Definition of a Warrior

via image.examiner.com 

 "To be a warrior is not a simple matter of wishing to be one. It is rather an endless struggle that will go on to the very last moment of our lives. Nobody is born a warrior, in exactly the same way that nobody is born an average man. We make ourselves into one or the other" said Carlos Castaneda (thinkexist.com).  Arturo Gatti choose to be a warrior in his boxing career. He refused to quit even when it looked obvious that he was going to lose. He did not win every fight. However, his opponents had to be to try to defeat a man that was willing to die in the ring. He was truly the definition of a warrior.

Gatti had many memorable fights in his boxing career. Gatti participated in Ring Magazine's fight of the year four times in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2003. His trilogy with Mick Ward is considered one of the greatest trilogies in boxing history. He won two out of the three trilogies. His third boxing match against Mickey Ward was a tough fight. He did not let broken hands signal to him that it was time to quit his fights. He broke his twice repaired right hand in the fourth round. He overcame being knocked down in the sixth round. He prevailed after those trying experiences in the fight to beat Ward by decision. Gatti fought with a broken hand when he defeated Gianluca Branco by decision on January 24th, 2004. He also fought many times bloody and he fought with his eyes swollen and closed. His boxing match against Wilson Rodriguez he fought with his right eye closing and he came back in that fight to knock out Rodriguez.

He used a never say quit attitude in all his boxing matches. His was a throwback to the old era of boxers. Unlike many of today fighters that do not have the same heart. Many boxers today are quitting fights instead of finishing them. Arturo Gatti had a brawling style. Gatti had an all-out attacking style that led to bloody fights in the ring. In addition, he had good boxing skills too. He was given the nickname of Thunder for the power of his punches. His was a throwback to the old era of boxers.

Gatti was the people's champion in boxing. He had a special connection with his fans that most fighters could only dream of having. He is one of a few boxers that could lose a fight and he still would not lose his fans. For example, after he lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr.  Gatti said that his fans in the following weeks still showed their love for him.  They were still anticipating his next fight and when he would get back in the ring again. His fans also loved him because he was a humble fighter. "Gatti was very humble, He always made sure that people around him felt important" said Stephen Larouche a Montreal trainer (ca.entertainment.yahoo.com). He was far from the best fighter. But, his fans could appreciate the passion he showed for the sport of boxing by giving a true full effort every time he stepped in the ring. He will truly be missed by boxing fans throughout the world.

Works Cited
24 July 2009 http://thinkexist.com/quotes/with/keyword/warrior/
24 July 2009 http://ca.entertainment.yahoo.com/s/capress/090711/sports/box_gatti_obit