From the Vault 03.02.09: Gatti vs. Mayweather

Posted by Carlos Calderon on 03.02.2009

A look back at Floyd Mayweather's 2006 demolition of former titlist Arturo Gatti for the WBC junior welterweigh title.


There would be no 'Thunder' this night

After wrapping up his trilogy with Micky Ward (going 2-1), Arturo Gatti finally got another world title opportunity in 2004 against Gianluca Branco for the vacant WBC junior welterweight title. Gatti fought well against the then unbeaten Branco (32-0-1) to win his second title in a second weight class. Gatti would then rack up two impressive title defenses against Leonard Dorin that same year and Jesse James Leija to kick off 2005, showing off his newfound technical skills. Times were good for Gatti who was all but written off in 2002 and now was set to defend his title against the unbeaten former lightweight titlist Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather had only recently made the jump to 140-pounds after beating Phillip N'Dou for the WBC lightweight strap. Mayweather made the jump to 140 in 2004 by winning a lopsided decision over Demarcus ‘Chop Chop' Corley in a WBC junior welterweight title eliminator. A few months later, Mayweather would step back in the ring in Jan. of 2005 and stop Henry Bruseles in the 8th round of their scheduled 12-round eliminator. The showdown was finally made soon thereafter for Gatti vs. Mayweather at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ for Gatti's WBC strap. Gatti was confident as the champion that he had the strength and experience to knock off the brash and lighting fast Mayweather who taunted Gatti throughout the press tour. Mayweather made it clear that he would punish Gatti badly before knocking him out. Power vs. speed, youth vs. experience…the stage was set.

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Arturo Gatti (39-5, 30 KOs) vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (32-0, 22 KOs)
12-Rounds WBC Junior Welterweight Title Bout

Date: June 25, 2006
Venue: Boardwalk Hall (Atlantic City, NJ)

Round 1 - Gatti is the first to throw a punch. Gatti throws a number of jabs as Mayweather avoids the punches by bouncing on his toes. Floyd lands the first punch to Gatti's face that back him up some. The rolls now change as Gatti is the fighter backing up. Mayweather looks very sharp as he slips every punch Gatti throws. Mayweather steps in Gatti's range as he lands a jab to Gatti's face that is followed by a short right hand. Gatti slips the closing left hook by a few inches. Gatti fires back with a few jabs that miss their target. Gatti takes Mayweather to the ropes with a stiff jab that lands. He throws a one, two combination as Floyd blocks with his famously tight defense. Mayweather moves back into the center of the ring after landing a quick right hand. The difference in speed between these two is mind blowing. Gatti catches Floyd with a stiff jab as he tries to land a right hand. Gatti ducks as Mayweather hold him down with his elbow. The referee yells "Stop punching". Mayweather lands a right hand as Gatti gets up that is followed by a quick left hook. Gatti looks at the referee to complain as Mayweather lands another hook to Gatti's chin that makes him take a knee. Gatti tells the referee the 8-count he is receiving is bullsh*t. The fighters look at one another before walking to their corners.

What a good way to start the fight.

My score - Mayweather: 10 Gatti: 8


Round 2 - Gatti lands a off balance right hand to Mayweather's rib to open the round. Mayweather responds with two quick left hooks that bounces off Gatti's gloves. Mayweather throws a lighting fast nine punch combination although most punches do not land. Gatti taunts Floyd in response. Gatti throws a very wide and off balance left hook. Mayweather slips the punch and responds with a hard left hook. The crowd roars. Mayweather lands a three punch combination to Gatti's face and body. Mayweather throws a right hand that gazes Gatti's face then lands a left hook that force Gatti onto the ropes. Mayweather lands a right hand. As he turns Gatti he lands another left hook followed by a crushing right hand straight to Gatti's rib cage. The same right hand lands again to Gatti's face. The crowds goes nuts. Both of Gatti's eyes are starting to swell. Mayweather lands another hook, right hand combination to close the round. The speed is too much for the much slower Gatti.

My score - Mayweather: 10 Gatti: 9

Round 3 - Mayweather is the first out of the corner. Lederman actually scored the last round as a eight round for Gatti. Gatti catches Mayweather with a jab coming a couple times. Gatti is trying to change it up a bit. He is doing more boxing, but Mayweather is still avoiding his every punch. Mayweather misses with a one, two combination to Gatti's body. As Gatti is still covering up from that combination Mayweather turns and lands a hard right hand then a stiff jab. Mayweather lands a couple of jabs to close the round.

My score - Mayweather: 10 Gatti: 9

Round 4 - Gatti is the first out from his corner. Mayweather lands a sneaky little right hand to Gatti's ribs as Gatti throws a jab. Mayweather lands a blinding fast right hand that is followed by a left jab. Mayweather lands a right hand followed by a left hook followed by another right hand that is then followed by another left hand. Mayweather unleashes another right hand. And yes all those punches landed. Mayweather lands a right hand to Gatti's body that is followed up by another right hand to the face. The combination continues with five more punches as the crowd roars. Mayweather again lands two straight right hands to close the round. I wonder what Gatti is seeing as Mayweather opens up with 5+ punch combinations.

My score - Mayweather: 10 Gatti: 9

Round 5 - Mayweather lands a right hand to start off the round. Gatti's eyes look like swollen slits right now. Gatti is trying to get close in on Mayweather, but Floyd's defense is too good for Gatti to penetrate. Gatti keeps trying, but his face meets one of Mayweather's hands every time. Mayweather lands a hard right to Gatti's rib cage that is followed by another right to the face. Mayweather opens up with another four punch combination. Mayweather lands two quick right hands as the bell rings.

My score - Mayweather: 10 Gatti: 9

Round 6 - Uncle Mayweather talks trash to the camera while Mayweather as calmly attended to in his corner. You got to love this family. Mayweather lands a four punch combination that is followed up by a nine punch combination. Most of the punches land. Gatti has no answer to Mayweather's blows. Floyd lands another 3 punch combination that drives Gatti to the ropes. Mayweather lands three right lands in a matter of seconds. Mayweather now lands four left hands to Gatti's face. Now a five punch combination by Mayweather. Gatti closes the round by covering up.

Buddy McGirt stops the fight in the corner. Gatti asks to continue. Mayweather cries in the center of the ring for no apparent reason.

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The Aftermath

Mayweather would immediately make the jump to welterweight in his next fight and impressively destroyed former 140-titlist Sharmba Mitchell before getting a "title" shot against Zab Judah. We all remember the melee that broke out in the 10th round after a low blow by Judah caused Roger Mayweather to enter the ring and take a swing at Judah and his corner. Mayweather would win the paper title before facing the real welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir. Baldomir was a live underdog but was no threat to Mayweather in the fight as 'Pretty Boy' dominated from start to finish to win the lineal welterweight title. Mayweather would fight two more times in two of the richest prizefights against Oscar De La Hoya (for Oscar's WBC junior middleweight title - his 4th division) and Ricky Hatton - two signature performances that kept him at the top of the pound for pound list. He then announced his sudden retirement in 2008, ultimately canceling his rematch with De La Hoya and has since stayed retired. There has been criticism towards Mayweather since he hung up the gloves for not taking on some of the bigger names at welterweight such as Cotto, Williams, Margarito and even Mosley although there's been talk of a possible comeback fight against Manny Pacquiao if the money is right. Mayweather's final (so far) career record was (39-0, 25 KOs).

Gatti wasn't as fortunate as Mayweather, going 1-2 over his final three bouts before retiring for good in 2007 after a brutal beatdown at the hands of Alfonso Gomez in Atlantic City. He had previously tried his hands at another world title in his previous fight against then welterweight champ Carlos Baldomir who systematically broke him down before finally stopping him in the 9th round of their bout. Still, as raw as Gatti was for most of his career, he was beloved by his fans for the heart he displayed in the ring. Where he lacked in technique, he made up for it with balls and determination. There was some minor talks about a return to the sport in recent months but lately things have stayed quiet - and hopefully that's where his hopes of a comeback will remain. Gatti's final career record was (40-9, 31 KOs).
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For questions or comments email Carlos Calderon at [e-mail]

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