After televising 21 of Arturo Gatti’s riveting portfolio of professional prizefights from 1995 to 2007, HBO Sports will commemorate the career of former two-time world champion Arturo Gatti, with a special presentation of his classic trilogy when ARTURO GATTI VS. MICKY WARD I, II & III is seen FRIDAY, JULY 17 (9:00 p.m. ET/PT) on HBO2 and Saturday, July 18 (10:15 a.m. ET/PT) on the main HBO service. The three fights will air consecutively on both days. HBO On Demand availability: July 20 – Aug. 16.
Arturo Gatti, 37, was found dead Saturday in Brazil..
Regarded by boxing historians as one of the great trilogies in boxing history, the three-fight series between the two junior welterweights featured no belts or championships on the line, but included 30 total rounds of non-stop action, remarkable displays of will and fortitude and unparalleled sportsmanship. The series began on May 18, 2002 in Uncasville, Conn. as an HBO “Boxing After Dark®” presentation with Ward staging a surprising upset victory in an all-out battle. USA Today praised the fight, saying “the ninth round is one of the greatest action-filled [moments] in history.” The two met again on Nov. 23, 2002 in Atlantic City on HBO’s “World Championship Boxing” and Gatti bounced back with a unanimous decision victory. The epic series concluded with another brilliant effort by both fighters on HBO on June 7, 2003 in Atlantic City, with Gatti scoring a unanimous decision victory.
A Montreal native, Gatti (40-9, 31 KOs) fought out of Jersey City, NJ and was one of boxing’s brightest stars during his exciting career. Ward, now 43, long known for his dogged determination and ring workmanship, hails from Lowell, MA and retired as an active fighter after the three showdowns with Gatti. Ward later trained his former opponent in the closing chapter of Gatti’s professional career.
Statements From Main Events About Arturo Gatti
The staff of Main Events was shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Arturo Gatti’s death.
Kathy Duva, Main Events CEO, shared her thoughts on Arturo, “There will never be another Arturo Gatti. His fights were among the most exciting and entertaining in the history of professional boxing. “
“Known throughout his career as ‘The Human Highlight Film,’ Arturo will be remembered by his fans as one of the all-time greats, and by his friends and family as one very special human being who will never be replaced. “
“We at Main Events mourn his untimely death, extend our condolences to his family and close friends and wonder if boxing will ever be as much fun without him.”
Jolene Mizzone, Logistics and Fighter Relations Manager, expressed her sadness. “Everyone knew Arturo as a superstar boxer. To me he was like family. I knew Arturo the person, the man who would give me the shirt off his back. Arturo would do anything for the ones he loved. He was like a brother to me. I will miss him.”
Dennis Dueltgen, Chief of Operations, usually a man of few words was moved to share his thoughts also, “Most of all I think he was a regular guy. My mother-in-law was a big boxing fan. Arturo was aware of this. She knew him from the time he made his pro-debut to the end. It didn’t matter how big a star Arturo became or how big a fight he was in, if he saw her at a show he would take the time to spend a few minutes with her. It would always be genuine. It meant a lot to her and it meant a lot to me. He really was a caring person.”
IBF Cruiserweight Champion, Tomasz Adamek learned of Arturo’s death on the night of his successful title defense. Adamek was deeply moved by the tragic events. He dedicated his win to Arturo Gatti’s memory at his post-fight press conference. “We met not so long ago. We talked about his great fights and how he always fought for the fans first and for everything else second. I would be proud if in the future people compared me to Arturo Gatti in that respect. Every one of his fights was something to remember. There will never be another Arturo Gatti.”
We at Main Events extend our sincere condolences to Arturo’s family. We will dearly miss not only a great boxing legend but an even greater friend.