Arturo Gatti Jr., son of late boxing icon, dies at 17
Arturo Gatti Jr., the son of the late Canadian boxing legend and Hall of Famer Arturo Gatti, has died, his trainer Moe Latif confirmed on social media.
"It is unfortunately not a rumor or a joke. Arturo is gone," Latif wrote in an Instagram story. "I’d appreciate it if you stop reaching out at this time."
The elder Gatti's former bodyguard, Chuck Zito, sent his sympathies to the Gatti family. "My condolences to Arturo Gatti seniors—mom, sisters, brothers, and his daughter Sophia," he said on IG.
The teen's cause of death is still being determined by authorities in Mexico, reported The Economic Times. Other than reports of the body being discovered in his apartment by a neighbor, no other details have been released. Gatti Jr. was living with his mother Amanda Rodrigues in Mexico at the time of his death.
Growing up, Gatti Jr. was drawn to boxing. Following his death, a video of him as a young boy training with Mike Tyson has gone viral on social media. ESPN reported that Gatti Jr., already an amateur boxer at the time of his death, dreamt of competing in the Olympics before turning pro. He had a professional bout scheduled in Mexico for June 14, but, for reasons that weren't stated, was supposedly removed from the fight card.
Condolences from fans and the boxing industry poured in.
"The WBA and the boxing world mourn the passing of Arturo Gatti Jr. His journey was just beginning, yet his spirit will live on—now reunited with his legendary father among the stars," said the World Boxing Association in a statement.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman likewise communicated his sympathies to ESPN's Salvador Rodriguez.
"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," Sulaiman said.
Also on social media, former WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal mourned his death. “Sixteen years after losing his father, the world loses another Gatti,” he wrote on Instagram. “The son of a legendary fighter, one legacy. Both gone too soon. May they reunite in peace. My heart is heavy; life can be unfair sometimes."
