Photo: Ring99.com

By Tom Donelso

05.06 - Mickey Ward is not one of the upper echelons in the 140-pound division but he is a solid performer. Ward is one of those fighters that no matter the results, you get your money worth. He will not disappoint. Arturo Gatti is a solid boxer and former champion but he is not afraid of alley fight. If anything, that is his weakness. Gatti can be forced into a street fight when a little outside boxing skill is called for. With a scar tissues a reminder of past war, Gatti will eschew his defensive skills to stand toe to toe. In their first match, Ward was able to force Gatti into a street brawl and pulled out a close decision. In their second match, Gatti used his superior boxing skills and won an easy victory and even almost knocked Ward out.

For Mickey Ward, this is his last big payday. At the age of 37, he is not going to be a champion but his entertaining style allowed him to make a good living and his first brawl with Gatti created a whole new set of fans. Ward is a plodder who just keep coming and throwing punches, just hoping to make contact. For Ward, this fight is a no risk proposition. His place in history is set as solid fighter who entertained the crowd. Gatti has more to lose. Win this fight and Gatti could propel himself into a position to challenge for one of the various 140-pound championships. Lose and his chance for another championship is crippled. Gatti, like Ward, is entertaining fighter and he will always be able to pick a good payday as long as he continues to win more than he loses. But Gatti chances to be a champion rides on winning.

So why would Gatti take a third fight against a dangerous fighter? Simple, the first is money. He will make plenty to fight Ward, maybe even as much as winning a championship. The second is even more important. Gatti, like Ward, is a professional fighter and he loves to fight. He is willing to trade punches and like Ward, Gatti will fight anybody. These two men represent a different era of boxing in which boxing was more than way to make money; it was task to be enjoyed. These men would fight everyday if they could and why they are just entertaining fighters is simply because they love their sport and their trade.

Now for the key to victories. Gatti must fight like he did in the second fight. Move and box from the outside and frustrate Ward. Hit Ward as Ward marches in. Ward strategy is different. Tempt Gatti in a street brawl. No niceties just keep moving forward and force Gatti to stand and fight. Gatti in the past has taken the temptation and forsake his boxing skills to trade punches. That is how Ward won his first fight. In the second fight Gatti fought the temptation and fought a discipline fight.

Gatti has more to lose and more to gain if he wins. So my prediction is that Gatti will win a decision because he is the better boxer but look for the fireworks. I do not see this fight matching the first simply because it is hard to recreate a masterpiece. It will be fun fight to watch but Gatti's skill wins out. Remember the first fight was as close as fight as you could ever have and Gatti's could have easily been awarded the decision first time around. He won the second fight verily easy. Gatti by a decision.