TalkingBoxing Articles
Carlos Baldomir: Strangers With Candy
TUE July 25, BUSTER PARIS - ‘BOOM’ – and again Baldomir’s right hand crash lands on Gatti’s face – as it has for the past nine rounds, but this time Gatti’s leg buckle and for a split second his upper body collapses inward like a folding accordion.
Arturo is on the ropes and Carlos is on him – if this were any other man we’d be watching his neck go all rubbery and screaming for referee Wayne Hedgepeth to stop the fight, but this is Arturo Gatti – and he can’t do anything else but trade brutal blow for brutal blow.
Carlos picks up the pace of the onslaught and amazingly Arturo picks up speed as well and I’m left in awe of this relationship, this beautiful and cruel connection that these two warriors share - and even though Baldomir is in charge and pummeling Gatti – you can’t help but admire Gatti’s heart and will to give as good as he gets … and just as you begin to contemplate the powerful example this sets for fighters, for fighting and for life … the inevitable fistic epiphany happens via a Baldomir left hook – BANG – Gatti goes to the floor – no longer able to participate in this violent and viscous conversation – within seconds he’s up – his gloves are wiped clean -- and again Baldomir sends him away …
Saturday – July 22nd at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ – Carlos “Tata” Baldomir (the WBC Welterweight champ with 43 wins - 13 by knock out, 9 losses and 6 draws) accepted the challenge of Arturo “Thunder” Gatti (the IBF Welterweight champ with 40 wins - 31 by KO and 8 losses) for the glory of uniting 2 alphabet Welterweight titles and the more important belt and recognition as Ring Magazine’s Welterweight Champion.
I for one thought Gatti would be the victor by out pointing the up to now anonymous man from Argentina, but once again Baldomir shows the world that he’s got the goods – that he is truly a Champion and - oh ya – he showed us why he hasn’t lost a fight in 8 years.
The fight was a slugfest with Carlos getting the better of the exchanges and clearly inflicting more damage. They would both slam away at each other, but Gatti was unable to do any real harm. His punches would cause physical results – like a punch to Carlos’ face would momentarily stop Carlos and cause a reaction or an _expression of surprise. Conversely when Baldomir would land he would get the physical reaction - plus 10 – a right hand from Carlos would rock Gatti and even make Buddy’s nose hurt (Buddy McGirt / Gatti’s trainer)
By the end of the night Baldomir would land 226 very big power punches and I’m sure Gatti will be dreaming about Carlos’ right hand for the next couple of weeks.
Arturo pretty much snubbed being a “boxer” and simply went to war with Carlos the entire night – it was great for the fans to watch but did Gatti a disservice.
If you look at the 8th round that’s a perfect example of when he was most effective – that’s when he would box. He would stick and move and employ impressive upper body movement as well as good footwork, but Gatti’s Gatti and that’s why we love him – he can’t not go to war.
It’s important to note too that Baldomir’s win isn’t due to Gatti’s deficiencies – it’s due to him being the naturally bigger and stronger man and almost more importantly having a head made of iron.
I think that was of crucial benefit - his amazing ability to take a punch -- if you think about it -- technique-wise there’s nothing remarkable about “Tata” – his offense is strong, but not fluid - and yes, he keeps coming forward, but in that Mike Meyers from Halloween way.
His extraordinary chin gave him the edge - he really took some big shots from Gatti that simply had no effect on him – and remember Gatti hits hard.
I don’t think that at 147 lbs Arturo has lost anything – it was just this past January (2006) that he pummeled Thomas Damgaard – remember Damgaard sloppily stumbling and bloodied as the fight got stopped? – Because Gatti hits hard.
Baldomir fought a very good fight, but to be honest it was weird watching him do so well against Gatti. It was weird watching him take shot after shot and not being affected. It was weird watching a stranger beat a hero.
We should have known better though – my mother always warned me about strangers with candy.
Sure we watched Carlos beat Zab Judah – c’mon – secretly you were happy about it, secretly you thought it was sweet – that’s when he became a stranger with candy … but to beat Arturo … well … it was just weird.
The truth is Carlos Baldomir’s a stranger to most of us and having beaten one of our most beloved warriors is an odd way to introduce yourself to a majority of us, but this is boxing – and if you’re gonna say hi – well, that’s the way to do it.
So – what’s next for Arturo “Thunder” Gatti?
If you look at the top players in the Welterweight division – guys like Ricky Hatton, Antonio Margarito and of course “Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather – I don’t think Gatti can beat them – so I’m not sure what’s the point at staying at 147 – or staying in the game - unless it’s to be a gatekeeper – and I don’t want to see him as that – he’s a legend and deserves more.
What’s next for Carlos “Tata” Baldomir?
My initial reaction is to be all smart and lean towards saying something like ‘at 35 years old who know how much time he has left’, but honestly – I can’t say that – I want to, but I can’t – I don’t know the man – I don’t know if he’s slowed down or not like he used to be. I only became aware of him when I thought he was a sacrifice to appease and pad the record of Zab Judah.
He wasn’t supposed to win then. He wasn’t supposed to beat Gatti.
What’s next for him then?
Antonio Margarito, Ricky Hatton, Floyd Mayweather and possibly Miguel Cotto will want what he has – the WBC & IBF crown – and the Ring Magazine recognition as THE Welterweight champ.
It’s all Tata’s choice right now – he holds the majority of belts.
Right now, today – I’m celebrating Carlos Baldomir --- sorry ma – I’m taking the candy.
Buster Paris can be reached at: bparis@talkingboxing.com - and always enjoys taking candy from strangers and receiving your thoughts, comments and questions.
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