Arturo Gatti Jr., Son of Boxing Legend, Passes Away
The World Boxing Association (WBA) confirmed on Wednesday the death of Arturo Gatti Jr., son of the iconic boxer and Hall of Fame member, Arturo Gatti. He was 17 years old.
“The WBA and the boxing world mourn the loss of Arturo Gatti Jr. His journey was just beginning, but his spirit will live forever, now reunited with his legendary father among the stars,” reads the statement from the organization.
World Boxing Association
Reports of the teenager’s death began circulating on social media and were confirmed by Chuck Zito, Gatti Sr.’s former bodyguard, in a social media post.
Arturo Gatti Jr., quien falleció a los 17 años, buscaba seguir los pasos de su padre como boxeador aficionado con la esperanza de competir en los Juegos Olímpicos antes de convertirse en profesional.
Cortesía de Daniel RobyDAZN Boxing expressed its “deep sadness” at the news of Gatti Jr.’s passing.
Gatti Jr. was found dead in Mexico, where he resided with his mother and Gatti’s widow, Amanda Rodrigues. Additional details about his death were not clarified.
Gatti Jr. aspired to emulate his father, seeking to forge a path in amateur boxing with the goal of reaching the Olympics before turning professional. He was 10 months old when Gatti Sr., 37 years old, was found dead in mysterious circumstances in a hotel in Brazil in July 2009.
Rodrigues was initially charged with murder after Brazilian authorities determined her death was a homicide. However, the cause of death was later ruled as suicide after the publication of the coroner’s autopsy report, and the charges against Rodrigues were dropped.
The WBC president, Mauricio Sulaimán, also acknowledged the death of Gatti Jr.
“The World Boxing Council and the global community of our sport join in prayer for the profound loss of Arturo Gatti Jr. at the age of 17. May God rest his soul and help his family find peace,” said Sulaimán.
