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Paper Gatti, A Terrified Floyd: Comments & Conference Calls
MON June 20, BUSTER PARIS - “He’s nothing but a Paper Champion!” “I’m gonna punish you! – I’m gonna punish you!” No I’m not quoting Clubber Lang from Rocky III, I’m quoting “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather who during an interview between bouts on Saturday night June 18th, also added that he’ll dominate his June 25th fight against Arturo “Thunder” Gatti. Video: March Gatti Press Conference
“I’ll take him into deep waters and drown him!” A relaxed Gatti expressed that, “…sounds like he’s (Mayweather) terrified of me.”
A very vocal Mayweather won this pre-round match up, actually he did have a below the belt shot about Gatti’s past, so it’s really a 9-9 round.
This is one of those fights that I’m giddy over. One of those fights where the boxing fan in you puts down the pen and pushes away the keyboard. One of those fights were objectivity and impartiality takes a back seat...one of those fights where the fan in you sings:
“Thunder! – na na na naaa na na naaa na Thunder!…”
The storm is coming to the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ on June 25th, 2005.
Arturo “Thunder” Gatti vs “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather.
Thunder vs. Lightening.
A recent question from thier press conference asked the simple, “Prediction?”
Gatti responded, “Victory. I am winning this fight. I am winning the fight.”
Before last Saturday’s [6/18/05] split screen face off on HBO Boxing, there were two separate press conference calls - one from Vero Beach Florida - with Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, his trainer Buddy McGirt and Carl Moretti of Main Events and the other call with Bill Beacon from the Canadian Press, the Mayweather quotes are from their chat.
For those of you who don’t remember, Buddy McGirt was a fighter himself - Welterweight and Light Middleweight - and a pretty damn good one too – 73 wins and 6 losses. He’s also one of the world's best trainers around – something about him reminds me of Professor Keating of Dead Poets Society, but with and end-swell, boxing gloves and a remarkable plan.
Not to take anything away from Arturo, but Buddy has done something amazing with him – he taught one of the hardest brawlers to box. For you comic book buffs – picture Wolverine playing the violin and making beautiful music, but know that any second – “SNIKT” and it’s bye bye Stradivarius.
The war of words is nothing like Ali Frazier, but Mayweather clearly has no respect for Gatti as a fighter. He says that Gatti's "a blown-up club fighter."
Mayweather also says that, "All his shots are wide" and "He's flat-footed."
"Pretty Boy" Floyd goes on to say that "He's (Gatti) a club fighter. He's a C-plus fighter and they put C-minus fighters in there on HBO and they have a war, a good fight. Or they may put a guy in there who is an old champion and (Gatti) beats him up and they give him so much praise. They say this guy's got so much blood and guts and how good his chin is."
To which he adds, "The name of the game is to hit and not get hit. That's what he does. I'm not in the sport to show how many times I can get hit. I'm in it to hit the guy as much as possible, to dish out all the punishment."
Clearly Floyd thinks this will be an easy night and thinks that Arturo is a step down for him. When Gatti was asked, "Do you consider Mayweather a step up in competition?", Gatti replied, "I have been boxing all of my life. I have boxed the best. I boxed against professionals as an amateur. He’s not the best I have ever fought, not at all."
Arturo also said, "Experience is always important when the fight gets tough. I have it and I’ve learned a lot. I have more experience than him and I’ve been around boxing more than him. I’ve been in tough fights and I came out of them a winner. He has had it easy because he is a good fighter. He has great ability so you can’t say he’s had it too easy."
When Gatta was asked point blank, "Will there be a point in the fight where you want to try and rough him up?", he answered, "The fight will be exciting. I am going to explode on him. I am going to use my hands and listen to Buddy. We know what we are going to do and that’s how I’m going to do it in this fight."
"He never did (have to dig deep) and we’ll see how much balls he has. I know I have a big heart and a lot of balls. I don’t think he has that and I think he’s going to need them on the 25th."
And what about trainer Buddy McGirt? Personally I love Gatti and McGirt together. I think they're a fantastic team.
Gatti said, "I think that Buddy and I are one and we work great together. I won a lot of my fights by listening to Buddy in training camp and I bring that to the ring. 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."
Before I get to the remainder of the call let me just say again that I'm absolutely psyched for this fight. I think this is going to be a great fight and actually will be an awful lot like the 1989 Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini vs. Hector "Macho" Camacho fight.
I think Gatti will simply just keep coming and coming and I think Mayweather will run all night. If you're a Gatti fan, then at times it will be frustrating and if you're a Mayweather fan you'll admire Floyd’s smart strategy of sticking and moving and staying away.
As I said earlier I’m not impartial about this one, I want Gatti to win and what’s completely pissing me off is that Mayweather is so super talented and lightening fast that I’ll be on the edge of my seat all night. His record speaks for itself – Undefeated – 33 wins and no losses
I'd love for Arturo to knock Floyd out, but I think it'll go the distance. I'm a little worried about that. I'm worried that it'll go the way of "Boom Boom" and the "Macho Man" - that somehow Mayweather will be given the decision when we all know that Arturo won...
Everything being equal - my prediction - Gatti.
Here's more of the press conference call:
What did Buddy do for you between Gatti-Ward I & II?
Gatti: "Just spending time in the gym and drilling it into my head that I’m a good boxer. Don’t worry about my power. The power is there naturally. Don’t try to punch hard. You just punch hard. You don’t have to think about punching hard. You have it. Throw combinations and I have good legs. He drilled that into my head and I’m staring to like it. I really like to fight the way I fight now."
Is the hand trouble behind you now?
Gatti: "Well, you know the hands, they are always going to hurt. But many times I have broke a hand but it’s not going to stop me on the 25th either."
Your last two fights were short, how does that affect you?
Gatti: "That was the proof of my ability. That was the proof of Buddy and I working together. The 25th will just be another fight and more proof. Because I am getting better is why those fights were so short. It lined me up for a great fight against Mayweather. I was waiting and I signed the fight. I was in and I was waiting for him. Then one day I got tired. I told my manager to forget about it. If he’s not signed, I’m done. I postponed it - then he signed."
Mayweather has mentioned he would make this a fight…
Gatti: "I don’t know if it will make it easier. I do know one thing that when I clip him in the chin and he doesn’t get knocked out, he will run. I am going to do what I am supposed to do and you will see on the 25th. Buddy is determined about what we are going to do in the ring. I could do both."
Do you expect Mayweather to come after Arturo?
Gatti: "This is how I see it. The closer to the fight we get, the reality is going to set in on Mayweather. He can talk all he wants, but once he gets in there and gets touched, he is going to have to switch tactics. He can do whatever he wants, but we do what we have to do to win. I don’t care what he tries, it is not going to help him.
Gatti: "I believe in my heart that Arturo is going to win this fight easier than people think. I don’t see it being, and everyone is saying “FLOYD IS THIS AND Floyd is that…” we are going to find out. They underestimate Arturo. They underestimate him a whole lot. That’s what is going to make it more exciting. He is a much better fighter than they think he is. Arturo rises to the occasion of his opponent. He know he is going to rise for Floyd and he knows that what we worked on he is going to do. If he does that, I’m telling you, it’s not going to be as hard as you think."
"Can I take his punch? Of course I can take his punch. I can take pretty much anybody’s punch. I’ve been down and I got up and finished the fight. Talent-wise, I think Mayweather is one of the most talented fighters I have fought. But I’ve been in the ring with a lot of really good fighters. Most of my opponents are tougher than Mayweather. He has the ability. Tough? I don’t know how tough he is. I’ll find out."
"I’ve read several things. Mayweather, that is the type of person that he is. He’s good for pay-per-view, that’s for sure. I am coming to win the fight and the rest…I am concentrating on what I’ve got to do and I’m not worried about what he is saying about me."
Gatti: "The only time we will be together is at the weigh-in. I am afraid I am going to back-hand him. I know at the weigh-in I just want to weight myself and get the out of there. He can do whatever he wants…he can talk to himself."
How many pounds do you expect to put on between the weigh-in and the fight?
Gatti: "Naturally, 15 or 20 pounds is just a natural thing for me to do. I don’t look to do that. Do you know what I mean? It just happens, it’s not a goal for me to come in at"
Gatti: "He’s not going to have any more meals than he normally does."
Can you talk about the excitement of the fight?
Gatti: "I love it and I think it’s very exciting for me. I will finally be respected after win this fight. This is an important fight for me because of who I am fighting against. This is my time. I’ve worked hard to be where I am and have gone through some tough times in my boxing career. I cleaned myself up and I did the right thing. I’m at the position where I want to be against a fighter who will make me be what I want to be."
"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."
What about the 140 lb. Division?
Gatti: "What I want to say, to be honest with you, once I move up to 147, there isn’t going to be a 140. Everyone is going to be at 147. After this fight I would like to fight a ten-rounder at 147 to see how I feel, whether I will stay at 147 or go back to 140."
Did sparring with Whitaker help you today?
Gatti: "It is all experience. He was pound-for-pound at one time and he was using me for his sparring. Of course I learned a lot from him."
"The best thing about getting ready for this fight is that I’m in great shape and I know I have Buddy in my corner. I’m not worried about nothing. There is nothing out there that is going to touch me that night."
Is Micky Ward going to be in your corner for this fight?
Gatti: "Yes."
Mayweather has referred to you and Micky as journeyman fighters…
Gatti: "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 the balls that Arturo has. We are going to find out if he has that anyway on the 25th."
Camp?
Gatti: "I did a little more with the weights and kinesthetic. And I did what Buddy wanted me to do."
Do you think Mayweather deserved his ranking in p4p?
Gatti: "I really don’t care. I mean, what is pound-for-pound? I really don’t give a $#%^. The only thing I care about is that I’m going in the ring on the 25th to fight."
"It’s not that I don’t like the guy. On the 25th I am coming to fight and I’m going to prove to the world that I’m a good fighter. I don’t like the way I’ve been spoke about. Forget about the ability I have as a fighter. I know I’m a tough guy with a lot of guts and I don’t give up. That’s all they talk about…and they forget about my ability. I train hard for every fight I have."
Gatti: "After the victory I will have the respect as being one of the best in the world."
What does a big KO feel like?
Gatti: "It feels great. It feels good for me when I knock somebody out, actually. I like it. I get turned on.”
"It’s good to have good surroundings with you. When you have a good manager and good promoters that care for the manager, it definitely helps the fighter. When you are young and make a few dollars, you do stupid things, but when you have good people around you they can tell you to wake up." "Those three fights with Micky Ward were great fights. That’s what people remember, but I had great fights before that in my career. But that’s what people want to remember me as."
Gatti: "You know it takes more than brawling to beat Mickey Ward. You have to me immensely talented to do it and to do it the way Mickey did. Outside of brawling, those talents came out and that’s how he beat Micky Ward."
Fighting in Atlantic City?
Gatti: "I think it’s great. I love Atlantic City. What I love is that they were there for me in the beginning and even when I had three losses in a row they were still there cheering for me and supporting me and I owe it to them."
Do you feel strength and size will be a factor?
Gatti: "This is the same camp I had 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."
The feeling is that if you can get to Mayweather you can stop him…
Gatti: "It’s not “If I get him.” He is going to walk into it. He’s that type of fighter. People forget. He loves to throw fast hands, but he always opens up. He is always open. Don’t worry - he is getting caught."
Will you be going to the body?
Gatti: "That’s the thing. Not too many people look to go to the body. I think I am a very good body puncher and we are definitely going to use that. I am going to take him down. That’s what I am going to do. We always talk about how I am going to fight this fight. Forget about the head."
"He’s trying to ruffle me, but that (stuff) doesn’t work with me. Guys 6’5” don’t intimidate me, so he’s not either."
"Mayweather is considered the best and I think he’s a great fighter. What people think he is, that’s great. And for me to beat him, that will be a great achievement for me and he’s the type of fighter that I need to beat to be where I want to be in life."
What is his biggest weakness?
Gatti: "His chin."
Gatti: "What I have I been studying on him? Nothing. I just listen to Buddy. I have the best corner. He’s been doing the homework for me and I’ve been doing the job."
Gatti: "You couldn’t have said it any better. We are going to break him down and we’ll see after the 7th, 8th, 9th, that’s when the real fight starts. We’ll see if he’s still there."
I notice Mayweather throws the forearm to the throat…
Gatti: "I am going to address it with the same thing, so I’m not worried about his dirtiness. I can be just as dirty."
Who will be the cut man?
Gatti: "Joe Souza. He never left. Only with Jesse James. He’s been there for me when I needed him most and he’s a loyal guy. That’s what I respect about him."
What type of fight would you like to have?
Gatti: "I’m not sure. I would like anything. Whatever I need to do is going to get done."
Gatti: "I think I’ve brought a good image to the sport for a long time. For me to win this fight, it will be great. It will be great for anybody that’s been with me and it will be great for the fans that really love me and that have been there for me."
What is the biggest compliment you have received from other fighters?
Gatti: "I have a big heart and big balls. I can’t say who told me that, but I’ve been told that many times."
Gatti: "He wins all of his fights the same way. He can’t hide is abul abugalla. He tucks his chin, but he can’t hide his abul abugalla behind that. When he gets hit in the abul abugalla he won’t feel anything, but when he wakes up it will be all over. The abul abugalla is right behind the ear and he won’t fell anything. He can’t protect it. I don’t care how slick he is, but if he can protect that, he belongs in a circus, in a freak show. When he hits him there and he wakes up and they’re sweeping the floors he is going to be wondering what happened."
How does it feel with 12,000 fans cheering for you?
Gatti: "It feels great, don’t get me wrong, especially when I have him hurt. When the crowd goes crazy, it definitely gives you a boost. I will get him hurt and it will be great. I love my fans and Atlantic City is a great place to be."
Prediction?
Gatti: "Victory. I am winning this fight. I am winning the fight."
What do you think about Mayweather yukking it up with the TV guys during the fight?
Gatti: "He’s never going to do that with me."
Gatti: "Maybe it was a reflection on the quality of the opponent he was fighting."
Gatti: "All of the cockiness, all of the talking he does…once he steps into that ring, once he steps into that ring, once he gets to Atlantic City, his whole attitude is changing because he knows what he is going to face."
Gatti: "The crowd was so small that he thought he was in the gym in a sparring match."
Gatti: "The only way Lampley heard him was because there was no one in the audience watching him fight."
Gatti: "There is no way in the friggin’ world that he is going to (screw) around with me."
Gatti: "After my victory, I have been fine at 140 for a while and it’s hard, but I don’t know. I would like to try 147, but I will sit down with Buddy, Pat and my promoter and talk to see what our options are. What is the best fight for me."
I noticed Mayweather freezes up after being hit…
Gatti: "He’s not used to being hit, that’s why. He’s bringin speed, I’m bringing everything else."
When he tucks himself in there, people don’t see a target and don’t throw any punches…
Gatti: "The abul aboogala. It’s the truth, think about it. I rest my case. Magoola ablundala"
Gatti: "I work very hard and Buddy works very hard, but you know what, it’s always a pleasure going into the gym and seeing Buddy. I’m being honest about that. I go in there with a bad attitude but as soon as I see him and he cracks me up and I feel like working. That’s the best part."
What is you walking around weight?
Gatti: "It depends. 170. Lately I’ve been walking around at 165, 167, 170."
How long does it take you to get down?
Gatti: "If I had to get down in 4 weeks, I could. But that’s why I come to camp for three months. I take my time and I drop weight nice and easy and that’s why I am always strong."
What had people said about you when you were down?
Gatti: "I was finished. I was shot. I don’t have it any more. I screw around too much. The only thing that was right was I was going a little too crazy in between fights. Those days are over. Those things have changed and people wanted me to retire but I knew in my heart that I still had it. Look where I am today. I teamed up with Buddy and it’s the best thing that happened."
What were the behaviors and how did you reinvent yourself?
Gatti: "Number one, I think I got lazy a little bit, training wise. I decided I think I belong at 147 when I fought De La Hoya. I think I got lazy and it made me realize, even thought my trainer through the towel in a little early. But I felt I needed to recuperate and work harder and go down to 140 and start from there and that’s what I did."
Going crazy?
Gatti: "Just having a good time, just going wild. I’m a wild guy, look a the way I fight. I can’t be normal."
"He’s never been in the situations that I’ve been in. I don’t have to prove anything to anybody. He’s got a lot to prove. As much as he talks? I’m ready to die in that ring. His attitude in the ring…I think I saw him fight a couple of rounds, but in those two rounds I could see his body talk. I know the way he is and I know when he’s hurt. I know when he’s vulnerable."
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I’ll be tuning in on June 25, 2005 – popcorn popped, cream soda flowing and an umbrella handy – Thunder vs. Lightening – who know what’ll happen…
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com
