Gatti Ward. Thirteenth anniversary of the battle between Ward and Gatti. The most spectacular fights Arturo Gatti fought against

Mickey Ward, a former world title contender, is better known to fans thanks to his spectacular fights with Arturo Gatti. Ward's style was liked by the fans and, in addition, he took part in several serious fights. Everyone knows that his story was brought to the screens in the film “The Fighter.” In an interview with Mickey Ward, we discussed his boxing career and his legendary fight with Arthur Gatti. Ward also expressed his opinion about Floyd Mayweather Jr. and whether Mayweather is ready to hang up his gloves. We talked about Pacquiao vs. Khan and Canello vs. Cotto. Here's what Mickey Ward said.

Have you ever thought that you would be part of the greatest trilogy of all time and have your life made into a movie? Probably an unreal feeling?
Yes, it is a very unusual feeling to be a participant in such events and the hero of a film. This happens to few people.

Mickey Ward – Arturo Gatti I (video)

You had the opportunity to fight Arturo Gatti several times. Do you remember your first fight with him?
It was a great night for me because I won. The fight was difficult, but I expected it. I knew he would work hard to win, but I thought I had gotten better with age. And our different styles came together in the ring. It was as if we were made for meeting in the ring and showed a great fight.

He boxed well in the first four rounds; Were you surprised that he decided to fight actively and that he was able to last so long?
No, I knew he was a good boxer and that he could do this for a long time. I knew that at first it would be very difficult, I understood that he would hold on throughout the fight. But I knew that if I made him fight, he would last a very long time. That's what I did in the first fight.

In the 9th round you hit him with a stunning blow to the body, but he was able to get up and continued to fight when you were already tired of your powerful punches. Did you expect him to recover from your blow so quickly? Do you remember this round well?
It was a difficult round. When I hit him with that punch, I knew he was in a lot of pain, but I knew he would get up because that's the kind of guy he is. I gave him a good push, but I didn't know he was so strong and that he never gives up.

I tried my best, prepared for every shot, gave it my all. When he pinned me against the ropes and started throwing punch after punch, I saw it all and blocked them, and then I started to answer him and thought that he would calm down, but he continued to throw punches. And this surprised me.

Mickey Ward – Arturo Gatti II (video)

Mickey Ward – Arturo Gatti III (video)

What can you say about the other two fights? I understand that your eardrum burst during one of them?
Yes, in the second fight he caught me with a right hand to the ear. I fell, but instantly got up, he immediately hit me again and brought me to my senses.

You have officially inducted Gatti into the Hall of Fame. What did this mean to you?
It was a great moment because his whole family was there, including his daughter. It was a pleasure to attend this ceremony and I am proud to have been a part of it.

I wanted to ask you about some modern boxers. Floyd Mayweather recently retired from the sport. What do you think of his career? Can you rank him in the top 20 boxers of all time?
Yes, I can easily include him in the top 20 boxers. Look how much he has done! Not everyone liked the way he fought, but he fought literally everyone and he's one of the best. I don't think he will return to the sport. He is smart, he has enough money, and he manages it skillfully.

Will Manny Pacquiao return to face Amir Khan? This could be a good fight. What do you think of it?
I think it would be a very active fight. Who knows if Manny will be able to fully use his left arm given his shoulder injury? Amir has a very interesting style that can cause a lot of trouble. He's tall, has a great jab and generally has a good punch. Who knows what Manny will be like when he returns because he will be gone for quite a long time. The fight will be competitive, but who will win is unknown.

If you bet money on the outcome of a fight, who would you bet on?
Oh, I don't know. Whenever I bet, I always lose. That's why I don't bet anymore.

There is a fight that can be compared to your fight in Gatti, if, of course, it takes place - the fight between Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez. What do you think about this fight?
I'm looking forward to this fight. It will be very exciting. I can't say who will win because they are equally good. I like Miguel Cotto, he and Freddie did a great job and they are very happy with this fight. Canelo is younger, Cotto is more experienced, but you never know in advance what will win – experience or youth? Hard to tell. Whoever can impose his will on his opponent and be the first to deliver a truly strong blow will win.

Arturo Gatti born April 15, 1972. On June 10, 1991 he turned professional. His battle with Jose Gonzalez stopped in the 3rd round as a result of technical battles. Gonzalez knockout. Arturo not only succeeded in the first fight, but also the next 5 fights were carried out perfectly and as a result - 0 in the defeat column. Gatti suffered his first fight against King Solomon. This fight probably did him good, because... then Arturo celebrated success in 23 fights in a row. 19 of them ended in knockout, with 10 already in the 1st round.

Arturo Gatti won his first professional title on June 28, 1994 at the Meadowlands Convention Center, where he defeated USBA champion Pete Taliaferro. Pete entered the ring with 25 wins (18 by knockout) and 1 loss.

After successfully defending his own title twice, Gatti put it aside and decided to fight Tracy Patterson for the IBF lightweight title. On December 15, 1995, Patterson found himself on the floor of the ring after being hit in the head. After this, the entire “Mecca of Boxing” chanted “Revenge” and on February 22, 1996, Arturo Gatti proved that everyone doubted his power in vain. Again Patterson was defeated.

The second title defense against Wilson Rodriguez was simply hellish for Arturo. After the first round his eye swollen shut. In the second round, Gatti finds himself on the floor, and his eyes are more like the holes in a piggy bank than the organs of vision, and few people doubt Rodriguez’s victory. And in the 5th round, with his famous left blow, Arturo breaks Rodriguez’s rib and knocks him down. After that, all Rodriguez could do was desperately close the broken rib. In this case, the top was completely open and the fight was ended ahead of schedule in Gatti's favor. This fight received the "Best Fight of 1996" award.

Then there were victories over Feliciano Correa and Calvin Grove. The quality of his boxing disappeared, he transformed into an ordinary brawler. As a result, he loses to Angelu Manfridi, while he is inferior to him in the wheelhouse. These defeats benefited Gatti and all subsequent opponents: Joey Camachi, Reyes Munoz and Eric Jakubowski were defeated at the end of the second round. On September 8, 2000, Arturo fought outside his birthplace. Having successfully built a strategy, he defeats the invincible (previously) Joe Hutchinson. Taking advantage of Arturo's boundless courage, a battle with Oscar De La Hoya was mistakenly scheduled. Gatti had never been tactically prepared for this fight before. The battle was stopped in the 5th round at the request of Gatti’s coaching staff...

10 months later, Arturo fought IBF super lightweight favorite Tyrone Millet. The world noticed a completely different Gatti. He was a boxer (specifically a boxer!) with good defense, high speed and powerful blows. Arturo Gatti demonstrated the highest quality of boxing, defeating Tyrone Millet by knockout.

On May 18, 2002, Gatti lost a controversial decision to Mickey Ward in a fight that had the potential to become the fight of the year and will be remembered by fans as one of the best fights broadcast on television. Both boxers put on their version of the movie Rocky, trading powerful punches throughout the fight. George Foreman, who commentated on this fight on HBO, was so impressed that he called the ninth round “the round of the century.” Although the judges favored Ward, of the eight members of the press interviewed immediately after the fight, seven named Gatti the winner. Boston Herald sportswriter George Kimball summed up the fight best: "When the promoters touted this fight as 'Fight of the Year,' they may have even downplayed it... The courage and endurance of both fighters completely captivated and mesmerized the crowd of 6,000."

The eagerly awaited rematch with Mickey Ward took place on November 23, 2003 and this time Gatti was clearly stronger and confidently won by unanimous decision. In the third round, Gatti landed what he described as "one of the best right hands I've ever thrown." The blow hit Ward first in the shoulder and then in the head, causing him to fall to his knees. Somehow, through superhuman effort, Ward was able to survive this round and continue the fight until the final bell. However, Gatti's dominance determined the outcome of the fight, as he frequently harassed Ward with his stiff left jab and powerful body shots and eluded Ward's deadly left hook with excellent head movements and sidesteps.

On June 7, 2003, Gatti and Ward ended their legendary trilogy with a ten-round fight. In this fight, Gati showed a side of himself that was unfamiliar to him - he began to box, rather than fight. Despite suffering a hand injury in the fourth round and having to get off the mat in the sixth, Gatti again outclassed Ward to earn a points victory via unanimous decision. After the fight, a gentleman and a fighter, Ward admitted that Gatti deserved to win: “He hit me a few times that knocked all the enthusiasm out of me.”

Gati then faced Italian boxer Gianluca Branco for the vacant WBC title. Gianluca Branco entered the ring with the intention of doing what he always does: work defensively and counterattack whenever possible. For the time being, he succeeded. Branco's left jabs and right crosses found Gatti's head much more often than Arturo's fists found his own head and body. By the tenth round, the fight seemed basically equal and, realizing this, Gatti increased the pressure and knocked Branco down. As a result, Gatti wins on points 116-111, 116-111, 115-112.

Gatti's next fight was with former world lightweight champion Leonard Dorin. The fight took place on July 24, 2004 in Atlantic City. Before this, Dorin had not suffered a single defeat and had 22 wins and one draw on his record. The first round was held carefully, the boxers did not try to escalate and did not exchange blows. Still, Gatti looked more confident. In the second round, Dorin leveled the situation, but at the end of the round, Gatti landed a crushing left hook to the body, after which Dorin first fell to his knee and then to the floor and failed to rise to the count of ten. It was a very spectacular victory for Gatti.

In July 2007, Gatti faced boxer Alfonso Gomez. After this, Gatti left boxing.

On July 11, 2009, Arturo Gatti was found dead in a hotel in the Brazilian resort of Porto de Galinhas. The incidents of death are being clarified. Almost all significant figures in professional boxing - athletes, managers, heads of television channels - considered it their duty to express condolences to the family of the deceased, and the death of Arturo Gatti was spoken of as a colossal loss. Gatti's promoter Kathy Duva called him a sports icon.

Well-known boxing expert Vladimir Gendlin said this about Arturo Gatti: “Some sports psychologists believe that in the soul of every athlete, and especially a boxer, there is still a white flag hidden somewhere. Gatti did not have such a flag...”

The year was 2040. A small country house on the east coast of the United States was gradually enveloped in darkness. A man of about seventy-five sat on his threshold and watched as the ocean, which was only a few meters away from him, was turning into a new color every minute as the sun gradually set behind it. Every muscle, every wrinkle on his face expressed calm and peace. The old man himself looked very much like a typical Irishman: still red hair, high forehead... if you don’t know him personally, the first thing you’ll think is that this man came from distant Ireland. This man's physique indicated that he had spent the best years of his life doing manual labor. Whether it was sports or hard work, one could only find out by looking at his hands, and they could only tell one thing.

Grandfather, is it true that in your youth you were a boxer? - was heard from behind after a series of quick steps and a sharp opening of the front door, which was behind our hero. A child of about five or six years old stood there and looked at the back of the red-haired man with enthusiastic eyes.

Yes, baby, I got into the ring more than once and, I’ll tell you honestly, it was the best time of my life. - without turning around, he answered.

Tell me something interesting before mom sends me to bed.

The old man sighed, for a few seconds his eyes seemed to be filled with memories, then he turned to his grandson and, drinking the rest of the juice, sat him down next to him.

Grandfather, do you have boxer friends? - asked the kid with obvious curiosity in his eyes.

I had one friend - a boxer, who became my best friend in life. Perhaps this is exactly what I should tell you about. He was an amazing person, looking like a typical American emigrant from Italy, who makes a living by “squeezing out” things and jewelry in his areas. In fact, Arturo Gatti - that was my friend's name - was a most interesting person with whom you could discuss anything for hours. But the first impression was not like that.

They talked about it long and hard before I got a chance to see it in action. I saw the first fight of “Thunder” - this is the nickname Arturo took for himself to perform in the ring - back in 2001, when he, a man with good technique, good footwork, and an excellent punch, was matched with the then monster of the ring Oscar De La Hoya. When Gatti entered the ring, everything around him was electrified, everything sparkled. It had to be seen, it had to be felt. But the Italian Canadian had no chance, although, despite this, over the course of six rounds “Thunder” showed his main feature, which he showed more than once in his life. Arturo never ran away from opponents or problems and always returned blow for blow. Hit, but don't run - that was his life slogan.

Oscar De La Hoya then defeated my future comrade in six rounds, and a year later, in Yuncasville, I fought against the formidable “Thunder” Arturo Gatti. I was ready for this fight more than ever, I replayed the future fight in my head thousands of times and couldn’t wait for the “boxing” command. Everyone everywhere was talking about his simplicity, about how he doesn’t know how to box, but only chops, about how the “Golden Boy” Oscar showed his true level and how stupid I was when I listened to these experts. In the first three rounds, I still couldn't get my hands on this little bastard. No, he didn't run, but the excellent footwork honestly had me stumped.

Then Gatti began to get tired, and I increasingly overtook him at close range. Being large in size, it was easier for me to hit him close, although he, tired, fired back with multi-hit series. God knows, a good half went into my block, but what came through... oh, how good his left side kick was.

After a terrible battle, which lasted from round to round, we, through strength and only thanks to our character, reached the ninth three-minute period. It was only years later that the Italian's coach, Buddy McGirt, told me a story about how before the fight, as they were entering the lobby, one of my fans called to him, and then, grabbing his right side, said: “look, it's Arturo” and, making a grimace of pain, he sat down on his knee. After that, it got into Buddy’s head that they should be most afraid of my left side to the body.

I understood that I was only slightly inferior to him on points and that only a knockdown or knockout could get me out of a lost fight, and at the beginning of the ninth round I punched that same left to the body and “Thunder,” with a grimace of pain on his face, sat down on his knee - a pure knockdown with a blow to the liver. Baby, if you knew what joyful emotions I experienced at that moment! He, of course, stood up, it couldn’t have been otherwise, after all, this is Gatti, and I, sensing the smell of victory, began to throw one blow after another, but this guy stood and was not at all going to be knocked out. There was a feeling that under my blows, under the blows of a guy who was larger than him, he was simply recovering from a missed blow to the body.

After missing several dozen blows, he began to respond, so much so that I had to defend myself. Fortunately, he didn’t have enough strength for the whole round and in the end, having pressed Arturo to the ropes, I tried my best to finish this fight, but “Thunder” again didn’t care - he caught every one of my blows, but never fell. It looked more like a scene from the movie Rocky than an actual fight. And during the break, it seemed to me and my seconds that the “Thunder” corner refused to continue the fight and I victoriously threw my hands up, and then went to Arturo to thank him for all this madness, but the referee stopped me. From him I heard: “No, no, no, the fight is not over, go back to your corners.” "Are you kidding!" - I thought, but Gatti, with his life rule, could not just give up.

As I learned later, he tearfully asked McGirt to let him out for the last round and promised to box, not cut. After an equally crazy tenth round, my victory was announced by a split decision, and that same ninth round is still called by many “the round of the century.” Finally, after so many years of ups and downs, I was at the top. But not all experts and fans agreed with this verdict of the judges, and therefore after 6 months we organized a second fight, for which I was supposed to receive the first million dollars in my career.

Twelve thousand spectators - twice as many as at the first fight. When I entered the ring, there was some kind of madness. So many people were yelling, screaming, trying to high five me as I walked by and to be honest I was surprised. Then the referee ordered “boxing” and again I could not catch him. Arturo didn't run, but somehow managed to throw a series of punches at me and disappear from sight. It was obvious that conclusions had been drawn after the first fight, but I wasn’t worried, because that fight developed according to the same scenario, and then... then I threw a left to the body, he moved away from it and instantly punched me with a right in the ear. I thought I was lying on the canvas, although it turns out I fell face down into the corner.

The referee allowed the fight to continue, and this little Italian Canadian rushed at me with one goal - to carry me out of the ring. I defended myself, but to be honest, I was far from reality until “Thunder” threw a right to my head... and I woke up. He literally knocked me down and woke me up in one round, although this right to the beard should have sent me into a deep knockout.

As a medical examination after the fight showed, my eardrum was broken. This was done around the same third round, which means I should have lost my sense of balance, but, you know, kid, “hit, but don’t run” is the life principle of not only Arturo Gatti, but also your grandfather, and I don’t I could have just given up. Yes, everything was so spinning in my head that I didn’t even really understand that I was in the ring and if I had a plan for the fight, I didn’t remember it.

I threw blow after blow, sometimes we exchanged series, but throughout the entire fight I thought only one thing: “Stop it already!” I just couldn’t catch him like in the first battle, and here you can only admire Buddy McGirt and Gatti himself, who did not repeat the mistakes of the first battle. Although during my stay in the ring I had no time to admire, because I had to win, I had to stop this madman. But I lost, lost by a large margin on points. Yes, I was upset, but now the score in the meetings was 1:1, which means what should have happened next, baby?

Have you had another fight? - the child asked with admiration in his eyes, all this time not taking his eyes off his grandfather, who seemed to be a good forty years younger.

Yes, we had a third, decisive match. I don't have words to describe how good of a person he was. The negotiations before the third fight still could not be brought to their logical conclusion, and when Arturo found out about this, he said: “Listen, call the promoter Mickey and agree on a third fight. He gave me a chance and he will get his in return. I won't fight anyone else but Ward."

I promised your grandmother, who was not happy about us trying to cut each other down for the third time, that this would be our last fight and this beautiful woman agreed. On June 7, 2003, the twenty-first round of confrontation between those who never ran away from their opponents and always struck back began.

The first three rounds followed the same scenario as in all previous fights. Gatti was good, and I needed to pin him down and score, but in the third round he hits my thigh bone, and I see a grimace of pain appear on Arturo’s face. And then he throws ten, twenty jabs in a row and not a single right hand. One day we were sitting with Buddy, recalling this situation and, as it turned out, our thoughts converged at that moment. We both thought: “Did he really break his arm?”

An amazing and already legendary dialogue during the break occurred between McGirt and Arturo. My opponent came, sat on a chair in the corner and said:

I broke my arm.

What? - McGirt answers him.

My arm is broken.

It's broken.

What do you want me to do?

It's okay, I have to continue.

In one minute I felt as if I was walking on quicksand - it was so hard. It was possible to give up, but no. Give up? In a fight where your opponent suffered a serious injury similar in severity to the one I suffered in the previous fight? Well, I do not!

We tried to cause more and more damage to each other. Gatti hit with his broken right hand, we exchanged blows and literally walked on the edge of human capabilities, despite deep respect for each other and friendly relations. During these three fights, both we and our teams became friends, and once the Italian’s promoter said: “When we just started everything, it was “us” against “them,” but at the end of the third fight, having truly become friends with Mickey’s team, there was no division into “us” and “they”, there was simply “us”.

You know, baby, I didn't win that fight. The score on the cards was closer than in the second meeting, but I was not upset. Yes, I didn’t win the last fight in my life, but I got much more - I got a real friend.

Less than an hour after the battle at Bordock Hall, I was undergoing a medical examination in the hospital and the doctor came in and said, “I think someone here wants to say hi,” and pulled back the screen that was on my left.

Guess who was lying there? Yes, yes, Arturo was there. All wrapped in sheets, with his face covered in bruises and cuts, and the first question he asked me was: “Are you okay, Mickey?” We spent thirty rounds trying to knock each other out of the ring, we hit but we didn't run and then you hear "Are you okay, Mickey?" By trying to kill each other, we became one. Marvelous.

I remember that after our three fights in a row, he entered the ring to box with the next opponent, stood and, smiling, looked at the other side of the ring. Someone from the entourage asked: “Grom, what’s the matter?”, and he replied: “I’m just glad it’s not Mickey Ward on the other side.”

Time passed, we communicated well, and after I was on Gatti’s team, I started coaching. And then one day my phone rings and I hear Arturo’s voice: “Hi, do you want to come to my training camp?” At first I didn’t understand and asked him if he really wanted me to become his coach. The next week I was already working on my feet with my strongest opponent in my entire boxing career, who, despite all the defeats that befell him after our trilogy, still wanted to fight and follow his life slogan, which I told you about.

Let's go to bed, Jimmy! - the mother called the baby more than once, but he still did not leave.

Where is Thunder now? - asked the curious child.

In heaven, Jimmy, in heaven... - answered Mickey Ward with obvious sadness in his eyes. - Go to bed, otherwise mom is already worried.

The kid kissed his grandfather on the cheek and went into the house. The old man sitting on the threshold raised his head to the sky and said quietly: “You would never throw in the towel in the ring and you would never do this in life. I will never believe this, my friend. And God knows I miss you every day.”

Thirteen years ago, it became one of the most famous fights of the boxing trilogies. It was on May 18, 2002, that I had the opportunity to see for the first time the legendary battle between Mickey Ward(38-13, 27 KOs) and Arturo Gatti(40-9, 31 KOs). And it's hard to say that these fearless fighters locked fists with each other in the ring at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, and over the course of ten brutal and durable rounds showed the world that boxing is in euphoria. Especially imprinted in the memory of fans was the famous ninth edition of the boxing edition - a thriller, which was dedicated under the name "Round Century".

Ward won this battle by a small margin on points (94-94, 94-93 and 95-93). Mickey Ward was born in Lowell, Massachusetts on October 4, 1965. He won the New England Golden Gloves tournament three times. At the beginning he competed as a junior welterweight and his record included 14 victories, 10 early and zero defeats. The first defeat he had on his record at the age of thirteen occurred in September 1987. Although later he lost quite often, his style and heart won legions of loyal fans. Mickey also became one of the most respected and admired boxers of his time.

After losing on points with Edwin Curetou(27-16-2, 10 KOs), the Irishman had both victories and defeats to his credit, while it should be noted that most of them were controversial, and, according to many experts, undeserved.

The boxer himself never complained or commented on the judges' decisions and continued to compete as often as he could. In 1991, Ward lost two fights in a row and decided to take a break from boxing for three years.

He returned in 1994 and recorded nine straight victories, leading to his only career shot at a world title. In August 1997, he faced the IBF super lightweight champion Vince Phillips(48-12-1, 34 KOs). Unfortunately, a nasty cut to his eyebrow ruined his chances of winning. He lost by TKO in the third round.

After a short time there was a very difficult fight with a rising star - Zadovi Judas(42-9, 29 KOs). Not only did he compete in America, but Mickey boxed in March 2000 in London with the undefeated boxer from Liverpool, Shi Neri(23-2, 16 knockouts). Recognized in the UK, one of the best fighters, there were even suggestions that he would box with Gatti. Unfortunately, fate decreed otherwise; Ward's strong blow did its job within eight rounds and his opponent was brutally knocked out. Thus, British fans heard about Mickey Ward for the first time.

Two fights later, in July 2001, Mickey would meet the likes of another boxer during those years. He is known for his unusual and distinctive style (38-34-6, 20 knockouts). Both two Irish boxers created a great spectacle, so, commenting on this fight for ESPN, all those who watch this fight, having seen it live on television, did not regret it for a minute. It happens in the ring in Hampton Beach. This magnificent fight was won unanimously by Ward, and his quality can be proven by the fact that the magazine "" chose him as "". Who would have thought that in the near future these two boxers with Irish roots would be holding such extremely important meetings.

2002 started off very well for Ward, even though he lost in January to Jesse James Lahey(47-7-2, 19 KOs). But only four months later, he fought the first of three terrible fights with, of which the first and third were also considered "". What else can you write about this, that there was rivalry? Perhaps, just those who saw these three fights with their participation, there were no titles here, but only an honor that they never forgot about. Undoubtedly, the first was better, the second a little worse, but everything is compensated in the last.

In these fights, he had it all: broken bones, swollen eyes, split lips, bruised ribs, knockdowns, powerful missed punches, amazing comebacks and events. It was a frenzy in the stands and the memorable comments stunned the speakers.

Today, Ward enjoys a well-deserved reputation and recognition from fans who remember him after the athlete's retirement. In the opposite case, the fate of his great rival unfolded, who on July 11, 2009, was found dead in a hotel room. Both one and the other are written in golden letters in the professional history of boxing.

Young boxing fans - if any of you haven't seen this fight, the first of three fights, to understand it all, then watch it below. definitely you must watch this!

Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward I (Highlights).

The video is posted in the public domain on a third-party resource; the blog editors are not responsible for the content of the video and its quality and do not guarantee its availability and the ability to view it in the future.

That's all for me. See you on the pages of my blog.