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PROBLEMS
Before fighting Gatti, De La Hoya had a legal battle to settle against Bob Arum. Even though the dispute with Arum wasn’t settled and Oscar was still under Top Rank contract, he announced his intention to be exclusively promoted by Jerry Perenchio, the billionaire CEO and chairman of Univision, causing Arum to countersue citing interference from Perenchio in regards to his contract with De La Hoya. In January 2001, a judge ruled in De La Hoya’s favor, nullifying his Top Rank contract, thus paving the way for him to continue with Perenchio as his promoter.
Along with the promoter, De La Hoya replaced his longtime trainer Robert Alcaraz with Floyd Mayweather Sr. Mayweather was chosen because of his reputation as a disciplinarian who keeps his fighters in shape, something De La Hoya needed after fading in the latter rounds against Trinidad and Mosley.
Gatti had his legal trouble as well. New York State Athletic Commission official allowed Gatti off the scale before it could determine that he has 141 pounds. After the fight with Joey Gamache. Gatti had a 15-pound weight advantage and brutally knocked out Gamache, as he suffered severe brain damage and was forced to retire due to it.
THE FIGHT
From the opening bell, De La Hoya’s precision and speed overwhelmed Gatti.. Gatti was on the floor in the 1st round from De La Hoya’s vicious combination. Gatti was cut in that same round and this would hinder his ability to fight back effectively even further.
Round after round, De La Hoya picked him apart, until Gatti’s corner had seen enough and threw in the towel in the fifth. giving De La Hoya a technical knockout victory.
In a post-fight interview, De La Hoya said that he was satisfied with his new trainer, Mayweather Sr., and full of praise for Gatti. He also looked forward to moving up to light middleweight and facing old rivals: Trinidad and Mosley.
Gatti said he could’ve continued fighting, praising De La Hoya’s speed. Gatti said he had a good plan, but a cut disrupted his plans, and everything went downhill.
Here is a link of a fight for you 🙂
AFTERMATH
De La Hoya went on to capture the WBA and WBC title in the light middleweight division but lost for the second time against his old rival Shane Mosley. After Mosley loss, he captured the WBO middleweight title in a controversial win against Felix Sturm.
After the Sturm fight, he would retire for the first time, following a knockout loss to Bernard Hopkins. Coming out of retirement, De La Hoya knocked out his new rival Ricardo Mayorga, capturing the WBC light middleweight title in the process. He lost the title against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and retired for the second and final time after a brutal loss to Manny Pacquiao.
After the loss, Gatti hired Buddy McGirt who redefined Arturo’s style. The most memorable rivalry came soon after, as Gatti faced Micky Ward in a legendary trilogy. After Ward’s fights, Gatti captured the WBC super-lightweight title against Gianluca Branco.
Gatti, too, lost his title to Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a brutal knockout. He retired after losing to Carlos Baldomir and Alfonso Gomez.
hough his career was filled with triumphs and heartbreak, Arturo Gatti’s name will forever be etched in boxing history. A warrior in the ring and a legend to fans, his legacy lives on. Rest in power, Blood and Guts Warrior.
ARTURO GATTI 1972-2009
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