Tributes from the boxing world have been flooding in over the last few hours for Arturo Gatti Jr, many reflecting on his potential in the sport and his family’s legacy
Arturo Gatti Jr, the son of legendary Canadian boxer Arturo Gatti, has tragically died at just 17 years old. The sad news was confirmed by friends in social media posts on Wednesday. According to French-speaking Canadian network TVA Nouvelles, he was in Mexico with his mother Amanda Rodrigues before his untimely death.
The devastating news first came to light through an Instagram post by Chuck Zito, a family friend and former bodyguard of Gatti Sr, on Wednesday. He wrote: “It’s with a heavy heart that I have to say,…. R.I.P. to 17-year-old ARTURO GATTI JR.
“My condolences to Arturo Gatti Senior’s Mum, Sisters, Brothers, and his daughter Sophia.”
Moe Latif, a long-time coach, was reportedly due to travel to Mexico this week where Arturo Jr and his mother were staying. However, he took to Instagram to confirm the tragic news: “It is unfortunately not a rumour or a joke. Arturo is gone,” reports the Irish Mirror.
Tributes from the boxing world have been flooding in over the last few hours, many reflecting on his potential in the sport and his family’s legacy. There have also been concerns raised about the troubling experiences he was exposed to at such a young age, including attending his father’s funeral which was attended by hundreds, reports the Mirror.
Gatti Jr had been trying to carve out his own path in boxing following his father’s tragic death in 2009. His father had enjoyed a successful career in the sport, winning championship titles in two divisions and participating in numerous memorable fights.
His legacy is particularly tied to his trilogy with Irish-American professional boxer Micky Ward, as well as bouts against Tracy Harris and Gabriel Ruelas.
In a fitting tribute to his father, Gatti Jr. also took up boxing, first stepping into the ring at the tender age of six. Despite his youth, he showed promise in several amateur matches in the Montreal area.
Gatti Jr was born just shy of a year before his father’s infamous death in Brazil.
The legendary boxer was found dead while on holiday in the South American country in 2009, with his wife and son. His wife, Rodrigues, was initially arrested on suspicion of murder after his body was discovered but was later released, with authorities ruling it as suicide.
However, even over a decade later, controversy still shrouds his death, with many of his close friends and family refusing to accept the theory that he took his own life.
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