Arturo Gatti Jr, the promising young boxer and son of legendary fighter Arturo Gatti, has died aged just 17.
The teenager was found dead in Mexico on Tuesday, 16 years after the death of his father.
His death was confirmed by close friend and actor Chuck Zito and long-time coach Moe Latif.
Gatti Jr was an exciting amateur aiming to turn professional and follow in his father’s footsteps.
Gatti Snr, one of his generation’s most thrilling fighters and a world champion in two weight classes, died in Brazil in 2009 aged 37 with his death ruled a suicide.
Canadian network TVA Nouvelles reports Gatti Jr was in in Mexico with his mother, Amanda Rodrigues.
Close friend Zito 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 Mom, Sisters, Brothers, and his daughter Sophia.’
Latif, who trained the amateur boxer out of the Ring 83 Boxing Club in Montreal, Canada, wrote on Instagram: ‘It is unfortunately not a rumor or a joke. Arturo is gone. I’d appreciate if you stop reaching out at this time.’
Gatti Jr was just 10 months old when his father passed away.
Remembering the legacy of Arturo 'Thunder' Gatti
Gatti is remembered as one of boxing’s true entertainers, a skilled and ferocious operator who fought every fight like it was his last.
Growing up in Canada, he was a highly decorated amateur before turning professional aged 19. Four years later he picked up his first world title, crowned IBF super-featherweight champion after beating Tracy Harris Patterson. A second world title followed up at super-lightweight with victory over Gianluca Branco in 2004.
Across his storied career, Gatti shared the ring with boxing royalty, losing to an Oscar De La Hoya who was operating at the peak of his powers in 2001 having moved up to welterweight, also fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr in 2005.
His enthralling trilogy with Micky Ward defined the careers of both men. The two went to war in three consecutive fights across 2002 and 2003 with Gatti losing the opener before recording victories in fight no2 and no3.
With no titles on the line, the Ward fights were boxing at its purest. The saga that lasted 30 bloody rounds is cherished by fans as a testament to how far boxers are willing to go in pursuit of glory.
The former world champion was on holiday in Pernambuco, Brazil when he was found dead with Brazilian authorities initially ruling his death a homicide, arresting Gatti’s wife Rodrigues.
A coroner’s report later declared his death a suicide with charges against Rodrigues dropped.
Investigations into his death continued in the years that followed. Following one investigation prompted by Gatti’s former manager Pat Lynch, his body was exhumed at his family’s request in 2011, with a Quebec coroner determining there was ‘no clear evidence of foul play.’
Tributes have poured in for Gatti Jr with Jean Pascal, another of Canada’s most celebrated fighters, writing: ‘Sixteen years after losing his father, the world loses another Gatti.
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‘The son of a legendary fighter, one legacy, both gone too soon. May they reunite in peace. My heart is heavy… life can be unfair sometimes.’
Pascal added: ‘I’m sending strength, love and prayers to his family. May he rest in power, like father a true warrior.’
Jake Paul wrote: RIP to Arturo Gatti Jr. Very sad to see a young man with so much potential lose his life and do so like his legendary father. May they conquer together up above.’
Gatti Jr also had a close relationship with Mike Tyson who he affectionally knew as ‘Uncle Mike’. The heavyweight legend trained the young fighter over the years.
