11th July 2009 http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/boxing/8146305.stm http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12183_5426412,00.html Former legend of the ring Arturo Gatti has been found dead in a hotel bedroom in Brazil at the age of 37. Early reports suggest foul play could be involved with signs of injury to the former world champion's head. He had arrived at the seaside resort of Porto de Galinhas with his wife and one-year-old son on Friday. Gatti was known as the 'human highlight reel' for his blood and guts performances that earned him fans all over the world. He held the IBF super-featherwight and WBC light-welterweight titles and was involved in a famous trilogy with 'Irish' Micky Ward, winning the last two contests on points. However, despite later picking up the WBC belt his hard fights appeared to take their toll on the 'Thunder', who was past his best when Floyd Mayweather Jr took the title in 2005 with a sixth round stoppage. He fought on, losing two of his next three fights before retiring in 2007 with a record of 40-9 with 31 wins by stoppage. A spokeswoman for the public safety department of Pernambuco state said the Canadian's body was discovered on Saturday in north east Brazil. Italian-born Gatti, 37, was IBF Super featherweight champion in 1995 and WBC Super lightweight champion in 2004. He retired in 2007. Police investigator Edilson Alves said it was unclear how Gatti died. However, a spokeswoman said there were no bullet or stab wounds on the body. Gatti had arrived in the seaside resort of Porto de Galinhas on Friday with his wife and one-year-old son. The spokeswoman added that police had found blood stains on the floor, but that his wife and son were unhurt. Gatti retired after losing a welterweight contest to Alfonso Gomez. His career spanned 49 fights brought 40 wins, 31 of them knockouts and lost nine times. ............................................................................... A true legend in Boxing terms... So sad to see some one die so young, what ever the reasons be.. RIP..
RIP, always an exciting fighter and was involved in one of the best trilogy of fights anyone will see against Micky Ward