22.11 - Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward gave us one of the most thrilling and classic fights of all time to the start off the 21st century. Gatti has fought fights that many fighters would have never come back from. Arturo's meetings with Gabriel Ruelas and "Mighty" Ivan Robinson saw him rewarded for his part in the fights by Ring Magazine, who recognised them as their fights of the year for 1997 and 1998. Here we are again on the back of another classic, a firm candidate for this year’s fight of the year. Arturo Gatti Vs Micky Ward. This Saturday night at The Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, Gatti and Ward are preparing for battle yet again in the rematch that Boxing fans are quite understandably going frantic about.

Micky Ward has been in a few thrillers himself. In a heroic comeback assault against Reggie Green, Ward was losing the fight on two of the three judges scorecards, only to score a TKO finish with twenty seconds remaining. Ring Magazine fight of the year 2001 went to Micky Ward Vs Emanuel Burton. Another classic fight deservedly rewarded. At 37 years old, Micky Ward certainly has a strong fight in him as he prepares to stir a storm with Boxings "Thunder".

Arturo Gatti and Micky Wards meeting on May 18th was full of drama and excitement. Gatti out classed Ward at the start of the contest, with slick Boxing skills and looked in control of the fight. Reminiscence were the skills Gatti produced to become World Champion at Super Featherweight against Tracy Harris Patterson back in 1995. Ward then drew Gatti, into the fans fight. What makes Gatti, Boxings, ultimate, blood and guts fighter and this partly cost Gatti the fight.

All great fights deserve a rematch, and that saying is no more solid than in this fight. This time around, like most rematch's they will not live up to the first encounter. Though it won't be far from it. Gatti has to drill box, box, box inside his head before instinct takes over and he's fighting Mickys fight. Arturo won't want to relive Wards body attacks that crippled him in pain in round nine, making him take a count. This was the round that judge Richard Flaherty controversially scored 10 - 7 giving the fight to Ward by one point. Had Flaherty scored the round 10 - 8, along with the other judges the fight would have been a draw. Gatti runs a greater risk if he fights Micky on the inside. Ward's plan will be to go right at Gatti and draw him into this style of fight, he knows Arturo's reputation and he will be hoping bravado will spark Gatti's "Thunder". This is very much a mental battle as well as physical as each fighter looks to create the rhythm.

Ward has trouble against fighters who Box him and this was clear when Arturo took the Boxers approach. Micky is a come forward fighter who loves to fight up close. Ward has a sickening honey punch to the body that would trouble any world-class fighter. England's Shea Neary was on the receiving end of Wards up close attacks and he too produced the facial expressions of pain that Gatti later produced. Gatti's personal goal is to become Champion of the World again, he needs this fight to keep that dream alive. This should be the discipline to keep Arturo on his toes and I expect him to box and move, winning a beautiful fight. It’s all down to Gatti on how he controls his "Thunder" and every second Micky Ward is in the ring he will be looking to whip up a storm.

Questions or Comments and Fight Predictions To chris_esboxing@hotmail.com