Canadian boxing star Arturo Gatti retired in 2007, leaving the sport with some memorable moments.
Just some of the names on ‘Thunder’s’ record include the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya as Gatti is a former two-division champion.
Finishing his career with a professional record of 40-9, Gatti earned 31 of his wins by knockout. However, two of his most impressive wins came by way of decision.
As one half of one of the greatest trilogies of all time, Gatti and Micky Ward went to war three times over the space of a year.
Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward were one win apiece after a brace of fights
Gatti and Ward would kick off their epic trilogy in May 2002. The Canadian Gatti went into the meeting with a record of 34-5, with his last loss coming to De La Hoya a year prior.
As for Ward, he had a 37-11 record and went into the bout off a loss to Jesse James Leija. Competing in a non-title bout at welterweight, the two would have a ‘Fight of the Year’ showing.
Suffering both a point deduction and a knockdown, these would be the deciding factors in the result for Gatti. Ward would win the bout via majority decision, as he edged out the razor-close affair.
The Canadian would be able to get revenge on his American counterpart six months later. Winning the fight by a comfortable margin, Gatti was able to even the score between himself and Ward. The bout would end in a unanimous decision, as the rivals were set for a rubber match.
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Arturo Gatti suffered knockdown in trilogy win against Micky Ward
Just as their first meeting was, Gatti and Ward’s third fight was a modern great. Also awarded the title ‘Fight of the Year’ by Ring Magazine, the rivals once again slugged it out on June 7th, 2003.
The 10-round meeting would once again see both men have success throughout the bout. One of the most notable moments of the fight then came in round six, when Gatti hit the canvas.
In the final seconds of the sixth round, a right hand from Ward caught Gatti on the top of his head, sending him down. However, due to the blow being dealt in the final moments of the round, the Canadian would recover.
Both men showed their toughness throughout all 10 rounds of the bout. Despite the thumping punches of Ward and the stinging body shots of Gatti, both men would survive the fight.
The electric pace of the bout would have the Atlantic City crowd at full volume, as the pair once again had a close affair. However, the winner of the trilogy would be Gatti.
The judges scored the bout unanimously in favor of Gatti. The scorecards would be 96-93, 96-93, and 97-92 in favor of ‘Thunder’.
Often mentioned in the same breath as Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier, Gatti vs Ward is considered to be one of boxing’s greatest-ever fight series.