Arturo Gatti Jr. will announce his next fight soon. The youngster plans to follow in his father’s famous footsteps.
As World Boxing News reported during the early part of his life, Gatti Jr. has been training since he was a boy. He aims to continue the story his world champion dad began in the 1980s.
Gatti Jr. has mentors like Mike Tyson in his corner, giving him advice. Tyson promised to care for Gatti Jr. when his father passed suddenly in 2009.
Now, the 16-year-old is planning an assault on the boxing ranks after an appearance at February’s Golden Gloves in Lowell fell through.
The teenager turns 17 this fall. He has acquired his USA Boxing, which means he will attempt to qualify for amateur events. The Olympics then becomes a possibility before a professional run.
As he received the document, Gatti quoted characters from Disney’s The Lion King. He compared the main characters’ relationships to his very short time with Gatti Sr.
“Simba got his passport, side by side with Mufasa’s (Gatti Sr.) legacy. The legacy lives on. Long live the King.”
Gatti Jr. added that he’s heading straight to the top.
“No one, nothing, not even myself, can stop what God has planned for me.
“Pursuing greatness, no matter what.”
Gatti Sr. made a massive mark during his career. His exciting tenure included Fight of the Century efforts and world title victories. Gatti also had a likable personality as a crowd pleaser.
Fans hold the Gatti-Ward trilogy against ‘Irish’ Micky Ward as one of the best fights ever. Round nine is one of the most enthralling three minutes ever seen.
His untimely passing when Junior was ten months old sent shockwaves through the pugilism community. Gatti died at 37 in Brazil under mysterious circumstances.
Former promoter Kathy Duva told WBN she would never believe the suicide ruling from the coroner’s report.
“I’m still angry and grieve for him, especially when we are involved in a big fight,” Duva told Worldboxingnews.com exclusively. “I take a moment to think about how he would have been there.
“There is no closure when someone dies that way. I do not believe for one moment that he took his own life.
“I hope whoever is responsible for what happened to Arturo pays for it someday. Whether in this life or the next,” she added.
Fans will get a firsthand look at another Gatti at forthcoming tournaments.
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Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay and learn more about the author. Phil has been an experienced boxing writer and World Boxing News Editor since 2010.