Arturo Gatti Jr. Dead At 17
Arturo Gatti Jr., son of boxing icon Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, has died at the age of 17.
The amateur fighter was just a baby when his father died by suicide in 2009 at the age of 37. According to a social media post by his former bodyguard Chuck Zito, the younger Gatti was found dead in the same manner in a Mexico City apartment earlier this week.
“I have to sincerely say…RIP to 17 year old ARTURO GATTI JR.” Zito wrote on Instagram on Wednesday.: “As they found his father dead in an apartment in Brazil 16 years ago. My condolences to the Elders of Arturo Gatti – Mother, Sisters, Brothers and his daughter Sophia.”
Authorities have not yet confirmed the teen’s official cause of death.
Gatti Jr. had moved to Mexico City to train at local boxing academies so he could make his professional debut. According to CBS News. His mother reportedly lived in an apartment with Gatti Sr.’s widow, Amanda Rodrigues.
Little Gatti was 10 months old when his father, a two-weight world champion, was found dead in an apartment he rented with Rodrigues in Brazil. He was arrested as a suspect before investigators ruled his death a suicide.
Rodrigues spoke proudly of his son in 2012: I tell CBS News correspondent Erin Moriarty In “48 Hours Mystery” she says, “He is everything I want from God. Junior completes me.”
“His smile is the same… just like his dad,” she added. “I miss my husband very much”
Gatti Sr. he was a world champion in the super featherweight division in the 1990s and in the super lightweight division in the 2000s. Gatti Jr. shared one modified image Just two weeks ago, a photo appeared on Instagram showing the duo standing side by side in boxing gear.
“The WBA and the boxing world mourn the passing of Arturo Gatti Jr.,” the World Boxing Association said. wrote in X on Wednesday. “His journey was just beginning, but his spirit will live on; he has now been reunited with his legendary father among the stars.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” the WBA continued.
Gatti Jr. has been mourned ever since with Our boxer friends are on social mediaincluding former light-heavyweight champion Jean Pascal and the impressive Jake Paul. His longtime coach, Moe Latif, reportedly He asked people to stop contacting him about the loss.
“Unfortunately, this is not a rumor or a joke,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “Arturo is gone.”
If you or someone you know needs help call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for mental health support. You can also find local mental health and crisis resources at: dontcallthepolice.com. Outside the USA please visit: International Association for Suicide Prevention.
