Gatti's New Style Keeps Leija, The Hulk At Bay
by
Buster Paris
1/31 - "Jesse" James Leija is in the ring waiting for it. We're all waiting for it. The guitar starts to play over the PA system and I’m watching Arturo "Thunder" Gatti walk to the ring. I find myself singing along with his entrance music. AC/DC’s ‘Thunderstruck’ “Thunder! – na na na naaa na na naaa na Thunder!...”
Over Gatti’s right shoulder I see the enormous and intimidating Chuck Zito. Over Gatti’s left shoulder I see the ever-present Micky Ward. I think it’s so cool that Micky’s there. He has become a part of Gatti through their incredible trilogy. They say that in some slugfest wars that you lose part of yourself. You leave it in the ring. Arturo Gatti actually gained something and that something is “Irish” Micky Ward. They became friends and have become locked in a bond together. They have become defining characteristics of each other.
Gatti enters the ring and he looks a bit nervous. He has a lot on the line here. He needs this win to legitimize the much anticipated and what will no doubt be a super fight with “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather. Heck, I’m nervous as well. I want Gatti to win.
On the other hand my compassion is with “Jesse” James. A win here would elevate his status and show the world that he still has it. Also the old guy in me wants Leija to win as he’s approaching the big four oh. Whenever a fighter closing in on 40 years old fights I want him to prevail. His victory would mean that my own age isn’t that bad.
As they “touch ‘em up” my heart starts to beat a little faster. This is an important fight.
Round one starts and we see that Gatti has a new tattoo on his stomach that reads “Warrior”. They both trade hard and tight jabs in the center of the ring for most of the round.
Round two and Roy Jones Jr. makes a terrific comment about how Gatti is boxing beautifully and needs to continue the fight in that way and not turn in to the Incredible Hulk. I’ve never heard it put better. That’s exactly what happens with Arturo, he’s boxing and then becomes the Incredible Hulk, the brawler and the warrior.
Leija’s plan is to get the crowd into the fight, get them chanting for Gatti and draw Arturo into a war. I agree with Roy that Arturo needs to keep boxing and not get pulled into a brawl.
I ask myself how will Gatti stay disciplined enough to stick to the science and stick to his and trainer Buddy McGirt’s plan? And if he is successful at this new style and if the Hulk is ever needed again, if a blood war is what’s required will he remember how to dig deep into himself for the warrior?
I had one of those moments, an epiphany of sorts sparked off by Gatti’s new tattoo “Warrior”. The warrior is still inside. Arturo is this new boxing boxer. He’s sticking to his game plan and brilliantly deploying his jab. It’s actually kind of strange and beautiful to see. Staying with the Hulk analogy picture in your mind the Hulk gently playing the violin and creating exquisite music. That’s the new Arturo Gatti.
From round two to round five Arturo seemed to be getting more relaxed, getting stronger and getting better. James seemed to be looking worse. After each round he seemed more tired, slower and out of his league.
1:48 seconds into the fifth and it’s over. Gatti threw a stunning right and Leija goes down, he’s up at the count of nine. Gatti comes on strong and just when you start to think maybe Arturo has punched himself out James is hit by a fast and heavy left hook and is down. He’s on a knee at nine, but it’s over.
Arturo looked almost perfect. He fought a great fight, stuck to his plan, kept the Hulk in check and made quick and easy work of “Jesse” James Leija. Buddy McGirt deserves a lot a credit and should definitely be expecting a call from Dr. Bruce Banner.
The post fight interview was a relief and I felt I could breath more easily. Now we get ready for the “Pretty Boy”, but there could be some problems. Floyd missed a court date last week and that’s never a good sign.
Hopefully the Mayweather fight will happen. Floyd’s got to get his act together. This is a fight my knucklehead friends and I are really looking forward to.
I’ll go on record as making these 4 claims that if Arturo “Thunder” Gatti vs “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather comes off that:
(1) This fight will be in the top 3 of 2005’s fight of the year (if not number 1).
(2) This bout will kick off one of the most unforgettable trilogies ever seen in the Light Welterweight division.
(3) At this time I’m convinced that Gatti will be the undisputed winner of this first of their meetings.
(4) “Thunder! – na na na naaa na na naaa na Thunder!…”
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