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HBO World Championship Boxing Recap

July 14, 2007

Boardwalk Hall-Atlantic, New Jersey

Welterweight (147 pounds) 10-Round Match:

Arturo Gatti (40-8, 31 KO's, 146 pounds) vs. Alfonso Gomez (16-3-2, 7 KO's, 147 pounds)

Despite being born in Italy and growing up in Montreal, Quebec, when it comes to boxing, Gatti is the king of Atlantic City and Southern New Jersey. A resident of Jersey City, New Jersey, since, 1991, Gatti has made a career of exciting matches. He has been half of 4 Ring Magazine Fights of the Year (1997, 1998, 2002, 2003), 3 of which took place in Atlantic City, and half of another match nominated for Fight of the Year in 1996. This will Gatti's ninth straight match in Boardwalk Hall, dating back to November 23, 2002 and the second match of his epic trilogy with Micky Ward. Should Gatti win tonight, he is already scheduled to face Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. on November 11 of this year in the same building, provided Chavez, Jr. wins his match versus Louis Brown on August 4.

Gatti began training to box at the age of 8-years-old. He was in training to represent Canada at the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympiad in boxing, but decided to turn pro instead debuting on June 10, 1991 in Secaucus, New Jersey, at the age of 19-years-old. Gatti is an old school boxer, almost always involved in physical matches where he gets as good as he gives. His 1996, victory over Wilson Rodriguez for the IBF 130-pound championship, in the Theatre at Madison Square Garden was nominated for Fight of the Year for 1996. That match saw Gatti overcome a round 2 knockdown and both eyes nearly swelled shut on him, before he could score the winning knockout. Gatti's award winning match in 1997, was a defense of the same title with Gabriel Ruelas at Caesar's Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. At one point in round 4, Gatti took 17 straight clean undefended punches without going down, only to rally back and score a knockout with his left hook in round 5. His 1998, and third straight fight of the year winner, was with Ivan Robinson, after moving up a weight class, to 135 pounds. The match saw nothing but action, and Robinson landed over 50% of his punches in taking a 10 round split decision victory. That match earned Robinson, Ring Magazine Upset of the Year, as well. That match took place in Atlantic City's Convention Hall.

Gatti's next Fight of the Year, 2002, came in his first match with Mickey Ward at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut. On May 18, 2002, Gatti lost a controversial majority decision to Ward that saw both boxers throwing only big punches from the opening bell. On commentary Emanuel Steward called round 9 of the match, the round of the century after it was finished, and it was awarded Ring Magazine Round of the Year. Ward had a 49% connect percentage overall and a 55% connect percentage on his power punches. Gatti-Ward III in Boardwalk Hall on June 7, 2003, earned another fight of the year honor for Gatti. The match saw Gatti break his hand in round 4 and be knocked down in round 6, but still pull out a unanimous decision victory.

Matches like these are not kind to a boxers body and hopes for longevity, but New Jersey continues to sanction Gatti, who has taken an insane amount of punishment in the ring. Amidst those brutal matches, Gatti lost via TKO on a cut stoppage in 1998 to Angel Manfredy at 135, after already being knocked down in round 3 of that match. Gatti has been stopped by the corner throwing in the towel to save him against Oscar De La Hoya in the middle of round 5. That match in May 2001 wasat 147 pounds, and came before the Ward trilogy. Gatti's corner again threw in the towel to stop a match against a much lighter hitting Mayweather, Jr. after round 6 in June 2005 at 140 pounds. In that match, Mayweather out-landed Gatti, 168 punches to 41 punches. In round 6, Mayweather had an 81% power connect percentage. The 41 total connects for Gatti, was 1 less then the number of power punches he landed in round 9 ofhis first match with Ward. Gatti won the IBA 147-pound championship in January of 2006 via round 11 TKO, but broke his hand in that effort. That would be at least the fourth time he has broken his right hand. Then, in his next and last match on July 22, 2006 versus Carlos Baldomir, Gatti was beaten up badly. Baldomir connected on 51% of his power punches and landed 40 of the 80 power punches he threw in the abbreviated final round (9). Gatti went down twice in round 9, before the match was stopped. Baldomir had 12 knockouts in his previous 57 career matches.

In addition to the chronic right hand injuries, the veteran has had a history of cuts and swelling to every portion of his face. Any of these problems could re-occur and become problematic during this match.

This is Gatti's twentieth appearance on HBO boxing. In an odd pairing, Gatti for this match has changed trainers from Buddy McGirt who started working with Gatti, after the De La Hoya loss to epic foe, Ward. The move was made to push Gatti harder in preparing his conditioning for this match. Gatti is a 9-to-5 favorite going into this match. He is coming off the longest layoff of his pro career, 356 days.

Gomez, a childhood immigrant from Mexico to the United States, began boxing as an amateur at 10-years-old. Gomez is one of the boxers off of Season 1 of the reality TV show "The Contender", where he placed third. On the show he earned the best win of his career, a 5-round unanimous decision over the then unbeaten Peter Manfredo, Jr. at 160 pounds. Manfredo would go on to avenge that loss on the show, several weeks later in a 7 round unanimous decision. However, Gomez' success from the show has placed him in several high profile matches, the last three all at 154 pounds. His last match was a round 7 TKO, over Martin Concepcion in England as part of the US Team in the Contender series spin off "Contender Challenge: UK vs. USA". Concepcion had lost his three previous matches, before facing Gomez on March 30, 2007 in England.

Gomez has faced tough opposition, but only gone 8 rounds once. Gomez is a boxer who likes to throw lots of punches, especially jabs, and can be very difficult to hit. This is a huge increase in level of competition for a boxer with 101 rounds as a professional, and a must win to guarantee future big paydays.

Gatti is potentially the oldest 35-year-old in boxing with all he has been through in the ring, but numerically is giving up 9 only years to the 26-year-old, Gomez. Gomez is 1" taller standing 5' 9" tall, to Gatti's 5' 8" tall. Both boxer's arm length measured from the armpit to the end of the fist is 25" long. There are no unofficial weights listed, but Gatti who is known to make huge weight cuts for matches is said to have made weight easily. The word coming out of the Gatti camp is that he has been walking around at the required weight for the last 2 weeks. Both boxers box out of the orthodox stance.

The unified rules of boxing are in effect for this non-title match. The official judges keeping score at ringside are from Pennsylvania, and once again, two are from New Jersey. Lederman continues to keep unofficial score for HBO.

A usual fan favorite, Gomez, is surprised, to be vociferously booed, when entering the arena. Gatti is cheered as a local hero coming out. However, the arena for tonight's event is a few thousand short of the usual sell out Gatti draws to the building.

Gomez out boxes Gatti to win round 1, 10-9. Lederman scores round 1 the same way. Gomez wins round 2, 10-9. Round 2 goes in favor of Gomez on Lederman's scorecard, 10-9. Gomez wins round 3, 10-9. Gomez was sternly warned for a low blow at one point in the round, while Gatti landed a more egregious foul later in the round, without detection. Lederman scores round 3 for Gomez, 10-9. After 3 rounds we both have Gomez ahead, 30-27.

Gatti ate some huge unblocked punches, that appeared to have the veteran momentarily frozen at times in round 4. Gomes wins round 4, 10-9. If Gatti does not do something quickly, his career is going to be ended. In round 4, Gomez connected on 38 of the 74 punches he threw, good for a 51% connect percentage. Gomez wins round 4 on Lederman's scorecard, 10-9. Round 5 goes to Gomez on Lederman and my scorecard, 10-9. Kellerman has commented, that if Gomez had much punching power this match would have been over before the start of round 5. Through 5 rounds, Gomez has landed 87 of the 176 power punches he has thrown, for a 49% connect percentage. Gatti shows off some impressive defensive skills and movement of his own, even breaking out the 360 spin move to get off the ropes, and get the crowd into the match, with 2:06 to go in round 6. Unfortunately, Gatti did not land any punches in that exhibition, but at least he was not hit hard and it was fun to watch. Round 6 is the best of the match, so far, for Gatti, but not good enough to win the round. Gomez wins round 6, 10-9, and leads after 6 rounds, 60-54. Lederman scored round 6 for Gatti, 10-9. However, Lederman still has Gomez ahead on his scorecard, 59-55.

After, a barrage of only power punches that went on for so long, HBO took the clock off the screen at points to hide the savagery of the beating that began in full onslaught, with 2:10 left in round 7, Gatti went down from a right hand with under 1:10 to go in the round. Gatti was occasionally punching back, and the referee was taking a close look with thoughts of ending this match for a while. However, Gatti's reputation and iron jaw allowed him to continue, until he slumped to the canvas. A count was applied, because this is Gatti and he always makes a comeback. Wisely, Larry Hazzard, the Commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, jumped into the ring to end the match before Gatti had a chance to answer the count. For the record, the still counting referee would have reached 10, before Gatti could make his feet. It was a good job by the commissioner to end the match, but not necessarily the best job to license Gatti, who seemed slow to punch all night. The referee counting was ridiculous. Nothing good could have come of Gatti continuing that match. When the head official in the state has to climb in to the ring, to do what the referee is unwilling to do, for the safety of a competitor, that speaks very poorly of a referee. This has been a very bad night for New Jersey referees. Hopefully, tonight is the end of Gatti's career. Gomez landed 40 of 62 power punches he threw in round 7.

The official decision is: at 2:12 of Round 7, the winner by technical knockout, Alfonso Gomez. The win moves Gomez to 17-3-2, with now 8 of those wins coming by way of knockout and none more impressive then tonight.

The final CompuBox numbers indicate how dominant this win was for Gomez. He landed 216 of the 471 total punches he threw, good for a 46% connect percentage. Gatti landed 74 of the 358 punches he threw, for a 21% connect percentage. Gatti landed 29 of the 113 power punches he threw, for a 26% connect percentage. Gomez connected on 142 of the 274 power punches he threw, good for a 52% connect percentage. In this match Gatti was the proverbial piñata and Gomez was the kid not wearing a blindfold.

In Gomez' post match interview, he said he was gassing out throwing so many punches stopping Gatti in round 7. Gomez would like to take Gatti's planned match with Chavez, Jr. The victor said he always admired Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr. Gomez considers Chavez, Sr. the best boxer to ever come out of Mexico. Gomez says he idolized the elder Chavez growing and still does, but would like to face the younger Chavez to see who the next Mexican idol really is.

Gatti left the ring, before he could be interviewed. An interview with Arturo Gatti, where he will make some final statements on HBO regarding his match with Alfonso Gomez, and possible retirement after the main event, at the end of the telecast. The interview took place after Gatti left the ring from his match, but before he was taken to an Atlantic City, New Jersey area medical facility to be checked out. That seems oddly appropriate, for where the legendary brawler should spend the night, after the potential final match of his career. He should be fine, though, because he is Arturo Gatti.

Gatti has been an exciting boxer for years and may be a Hall of Famer, someday. Compassionate Gatti fans will not want to watch another Gatti match on anything, but ESPN Classic.

Now for Gatti's post match interview. Gatti began the interview by saying that he can no longer continue to take the abuse at 147 pounds and is going to retire. He said he was well prepared for the match, but was not strong enough for Gomez at 147 pounds and can no longer make 140 pounds. Therefore, a man without a weight class he is calling it a career. The announcement is met with applause in the backstage locker room area, in thanks for what Gatti has given the sport. Gatti thanks the fans for their support, and while he speaks, the cut on his injured upper lip begins to bleed, again. Gatti then walks away from the interview area beginning to cry, to be hugged by rival/trainer Micky Ward and embraced by his family, waiting for him just off camera. The old school boxer is still being applauded by the people backstage, when the camera finally cuts away.