Arturo Gatti Jr., aspiring boxer and son of the Hall of Famer, dies at 17
Teenager said to have hanged himself, the same way his father died
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Arturo Gatti Jr., an amateur boxer with plans to turn pro and follow in the footsteps of his father, the late Hall of Fame two-division world champion and all-time action star Arturo Gatti Sr., died on Tuesday. He was 17.
His death, from an apparent suicide, was eerily similar to that of his father. The actor Chuck Zito, a longtime family friend, posted the news and details via his Instagram account on Wednesday.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I have to say RIP to 17-year-old Arturo Gatti Jr., who was found hanging in an apartment in Mexico yesterday. The same way they found his father dead in an apartment in Brazil 16 years ago,” Zito wrote. “My condolences to Arturo Gatti Seniors Mom, Sisters, Brothers, and his daughter Sophia.”
Gatti Jr. and his mother, Amanda Rodrigues Gatti, of Montreal, split time living in Montreal and Mexico.
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Former junior lightweight and junior welterweight champion Arturo Sr., who was 37 when he died and two years removed from his final fight in July 2007, was ruled by Brazilian officials to have died by hanging himself in an apartment there while on vacation in July 2009 with his wife, Rodrigues Gatti, and 10-month-old Arturo Jr. Gatti Sr.’s body was found by Rodrigues Gatti.
There were those close to Gatti Sr. who strongly believed he was murdered and that Rodrigues Gatti was involved. She was arrested on suspicion of murder but released 18 days later when Brazilian officials, whose investigation was heavily criticized as sloppy, ruled the cause was suicide.
Moe Latif, Gatti Jr.’s amateur trainer, confirmed his pupil’s death, also via Instagram.
“It is unfortunately not a rumor or a joke. Arturo is gone,” Latif wrote. “I’d appreciate if you stop reaching out at this time.”
Gatti Jr. began boxing at age 7 after pestering — and finally convincing — his mother to allow him to take lessons. After trying to have him play soccer, hockey and tennis, she relented. He posted videos of himself training and photos of his father on social media as well as photos of meeting boxers such as Mike Tyson.
Among those expressing condolences was the WBC, whose junior welterweight world title “Thunder” Gatti Sr. held from 2004 to 2005.
“The World Boxing Council expresses its deepest condolences following the passing of Arturo Gatti Jr., who at only 17 years old and was emerging as one of boxing’s bright young prospects,” the WBC said in a statement. “Son of the legendary Arturo ‘Thunder’ Gatti, a Hall of Fame inductee, Arturo Jr. had enthusiastically followed in his father’s footsteps, showing talent, discipline, and a passion for the sport that defined his family’s life.
“His father, remembered as a two-division world champion and for starring in some of the most unforgettable and tremendous battles in modern boxing history — including his epic trilogy with Micky Ward — was a symbol of total commitment inside the ring, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of fighters.
“Young Arturo Gatti Jr. represented the hope of a new era, with the fire, passion and heart of a champion. The WBC sends its heartfelt condolences to the Gatti family, friends, and the entire boxing community mourning this so heartbreaking loss.”
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Photos: WBC and Gatti Jr. Instagram
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Arturo Gatti Jr. is my cousin and Arturo Gatti is my uncle. My cousin did not kill himself. #JusticeforJunior
Sad when a destiny is unfulfilled. Rest in peace young man.