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The Wind Cries Gatti
WED February 1, BUSTER PARIS - I’ll admit it – I thought that after the awesome beating he took from Floyd Mayweather Jr. that Arturo “Thunder” Gatti was done - and that his career was over.
C’mon – we all saw what happened on that June 25th of last year – it was a virtual shut out – a complete domination by “Pretty Boy” Floyd.
How do you come back from that?
“Na na na naaa na na naaaa na…”
7 months after Mayweather –
“-- Thunder! – “
This past Saturday night, January 28th –
“…na na na naaa na na naaaa na…”
Back at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ…
“Thunder -- na na na naaa na na naaaa na -- Thunder…!”
…back at 147 pounds…
“…na na na naaa na na naaaa na…”
Welcome back - Arturo Gatti!
“You’ve been…THUNDERSTRUCK!”
At first I didn’t recognize him, he looked like a different person – like a younger Gatti cousin or something. He looks great at Welterweight – seems a natural and healthy size for him.
His opponent for the night was Thomas Damgaard - undefeated in 37 fights and a tough Southpaw from Denmark who showed some good skills and a lot of heart. At times during the fight Thomas resembled Rocky -- unfortunately not Graziano or Balboa, but Rocky Dennison – the kid from that movie “Mask”. Damgaard’s face looked trampled, stretched, swollen, distorted and at times purple.
All in all it was a good bout for Arturo who won via a TKO in the 11th round. Thomas has nothing to be ashamed of as he put up a decent fight against probably the best fighter he’s ever faced, but didn’t do enough to keep it close. By all accounts going into the 11th Gatti had won 9 out of the 10 rounds and put on an excellent show – it was his fight.
The highlights for me were watching Gatti switch back and forth from orthodox to Southpaw – watching him do so to get better openings on Damgaard, to mess with Damgaard’s head and to just toss out that hurt right hand disguised as a jab only to set up a powerful straight left.
Gatti was full of erupting uppercuts, explosive flurries, and an awesome left hook. He was poised, cool and in control even during the moments where Damgaard would tee off on his head.
Arturo also displayed excellent footwork and would do a little dancing around the ring. He’d be playful at times and mess about with the bolo punch.
In between rounds in the corner – I really dug the working partnership that Gatti and his trainer – the spectacular Buddy McGirt - share. There’s an amazing connection there and a great relationship. McGirt always reminds me of Dead Poets Society with boxing gloves and the Sweet Science instead of “pure” poetry.
And of course Gatti is all heart – busted up right hand and he still bangs away with it. That moment in the 10th round where Arturo lands a hard right hand and the pain causes him to crouch down and he springs back up with a flurry of leather – and of course it’s the right hand that he launches and connects with that ends the night - as well as the undefeated record - for Thomas Damgaard.
There were also some things that I found slightly concerning like once again that right hand got hurt. You know, with all the talk about gloves recently why doesn’t Gatti try those Windy gloves that Erik Morales wears? – All I’ve heard about lately is how cushiony soft they are for your hands. Heck, I’ll buy him a pair to check out, see if they’re soft and cushionany enough for those mitts of his. It really would be a shame to lose a great warrior like Gatti because of hand problems.
Another slight concern was at the end of round 7 and into the 8th. Something didn’t seem quite right – not sure if it was the hand or if Arturo was tired, but something seemed off and odd – and luckily for Arturo - Thomas couldn’t capitalize on it.
Lastly – and most concerning was that Gatti’s walk in music – AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” was a rap remix of the song – and it was horrible! – Please don’t use that ever again.
Overall Gatti had a great night and he put on an excellent show. Physically and professionally he looks natural and good as a Welterweight – and lest we forget – he walks away with the IBA Welterweight belt and title making him a 3 time World Champion in 3 different divisions.
Next – Gatti says he’ll need about 6 weeks for the hand to “heal” and post fight there was talk of a Gatti vs. Carlos Baldomir bout.
I think a fight against Baldomir would be very much like the fight against Damgaard, with Arturo in control and running the show, but I think there would be more of a chance of Gatti taking some punishment – at least a cut - and I think the hand problem would rear it’s ugly head against Baldomir, but in the end Arturo Gatti will go home with his IBA belt and add to his collection the WBC Welterweight title.
It’s hard to tell what kind of future Arturo has at 147 – there are so many outstanding and first-rate fighters in the division – like Corey Spinks, Antonio Margorito, Luis Collozo and Zab Judah – and there are those that visit the division and threaten to visit as well – like the best pound per pound fighter in the world today – “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather – and others like “Sugar” Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya – and how long will Miguel Cotto and Ricky Hatton stay at 140 pounds?
Welterweight is the place to be. I’m hoping Gatti has a long and prosperous run there – and for the love of James Figg – will somebody please get Arturo Gatti a pair of Windy gloves to try on!
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys receiving your thoughts, comments and questions
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