TalkingBoxing Articles
Bad Blood in Atlantic City
WED June 22, LUKE CHANCE -
It’s always a pleasure to have a genuine fight between two world class fighters. It’s even more of a pleasure to have a fight between two world class fighters with a bit of needle in it. Even more than this it’s a real gem to have a fight between two warriors, who don’t like each other, and have a good guy and bad guy.
Roll on Arturo Gatti and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
This has the makings of a great fight. The undefeated Mayweather, 33-0, will start as a favourite against ‘The Human Highlight Reel’ that is Arturo Gatti, 39-6. Both Pretty Boy and Arturo had stiff words for each other at their separate press conferences late last week and things didn't change after yesterday's first press gathering with both in attendence.
Gatti began by hinting that he was going to box Mayweather, stating, "That’s what everyone forgets I can do." He also hinted he would be looking to open up Mayweather for a knockout blow, reviling his opponent and his big mouth saying, "Mayweather like to talk a lot but his chin is suspect. We’ll see what he says on the 25th. That’s all I have to say."
Mayweather however seemed to think that Gatti was foolish to be talking about his chin quipping, "I’m not in this sport, that’s what he does, I’m not in this sport to to see how hard I can get hit or to see how many big punches I can take. I am in this game to fight as long as I can. I am trying to dish a lot of punishment.’
Furthermore Mayweather had some harsh words for Gatti and his team, "He’s a club fighter and they put him on HBO, he’s a C+ fighter and they put him in there against C- fighters and they have a war and a good fight. Or they put him in there against guys that are not top-notch. Or they put him in there against an old champion and he beats the old champion up and they give him so much props and praises."
Mayweather seems convinced that this one will not go the distance, but Gatti seems unperturbed by his trash talking. He had these words for the press, "They might talk a lot of crap but they know what they have against them. I think he will come prepared. I want him to be at his best anyway…because I am."
Gatti also questioned Mayweather's fighting heart saying, "He never did (have to dig deep) and we’ll see how much balls he has. I know I have a big heart and alot of balls. I don’t think he has that and I think he’s going to need them on the 25th." If this one goes to the trenches Gatti may be right. Technically Floyd is a great boxer, but Gatti is an old warhorse and as tough as old boots. Mayweather can fight dirty, but he might not like Gattis’ brand of roughing up.
When asked if he thought Floyd was the best he had been in with Gatti graciously praised his opponent, but was quick to add, "He’s not the best I have ever fought, not at all.’ Floyd however had no such words of kindness for his opponent and blasted the man they call ‘Thunder’, saying, "The truth is he’s not a good fighter and he’s not on my level and I’m going to show you. He shouldn’t even be in the ring with me. I’ll show you."
Gatti however is treating the tirade of abuse from Mayweather as water off a ducks back, and at his press conference simply said, "I have worked hard to be where I am today and this fight…a lot of people are going to have to apologize to me after this fight. A lot of people’.
It seems Gatti may employ a body a body punching strategy to slow Mayweather down and take him out, when asked about his training he said, "This is the same camp I had (For his wars with Micky Ward) and I actually lifted more for this fight than I did with Micky. My size and my strength…I am bringing that. That’s what I’m bringing in the ring also. The longer the fight goes, the better it is for me.’
Gatti also said". I think I am a very good body puncherand we are definitely going to use that. I am going to take him down.’ He also made it clear he wasn’t looking to take this one to the cards, "When he hits him there and he wakes up and they’re sweeping the floors he is going to be wondering what happened.’
Mayweather, never at a loss for words, had a few things of his own to say about knockouts too, saying succinctly, "This won’t go the distance’. He then attacked Gatti himself saying‘Arturo Gatti is a fake because he thinks he’s going to win and he’s really not because nobody believes he’s going to win’.
Gatti's final salvo was aimed at the character of Mayweather when asked what he thought of Mayweather dismissing him and Micky Wardas journeymen fighters he got animated and said, "Mayweather’s got a big mouth. Micky’s the toughest guy I ever fought. Mayweather might be talented and everything, but he wished he had theballs that Arturo has. We are going to find out if he has that anyway on the 25th.’
Furthermore when asked if he thought Mayweather was likely to showboat or kid around, he said he felt that was unlikely, and quipped that at Floyds last fight, against second tier Henry Bruseles, "The crowd was so small that he thought he was in the gym in a sparring match.’
Whatever way you look at it, it’s obvious that these two genuinely don’t like each other, and it’s clear that sparks are going to fly at Atlantic City. Gatti has the power edge, but we know that Floyd is a slicker boxer. Floyds chin may be untested, but that’s because he never gets hit.
However what we must bear in mind is that as far as top drawer opponents go neither man has been fighting top level fighters. James Leija, who Gatti recently bested, was really a journeyman and Gianluca Branco was undefeated, but unheralded. Mayweather's win against DeMarcus Corley and his recent TKO victory over Henry Bruseles prove nothing at this weight really.
Despite what has gone on before this starts as an even fight, and both men are in with a real chance of winning it. One of the decisive factors could be if Floyd has a punch to hurt Gatti with, if he doesn’t then he could end getting bulldozed. If Gatti tries to box he will end up getting out sped and worn down. He needs to work his hooks to the body to wear out and wound his younger foe.
Mayweather will start a hot favorite, but don’t count Gatti out. After all, just look at the last undefeated former lightweight who he fought…
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