Beginner boxer Arturo Gatti Jr., the son of late boxing legend Arturo Gatti, was discovered lifeless at age 17 in circumstances much like his father’s 2009 loss of life.
Gatti Sr.’s former bodyguard, Chuck Zito, broke the information in an Instagram publish on Wednesday, October 8, sharing that Gatti Jr, was discovered lifeless “in an house in Mexico” on Tuesday, October 7. He died by suicide, in response to Zito.
“It’s with a heavy coronary heart that I’ve to say R.I.P. to 17-year-old ARTURO GATTI JR.,” Zito wrote in his Instagram publish alongside a number of photographs of the teenage boxer.
Zito added that Gatti Jr. was discovered “the identical means they discovered his father lifeless in an house in Brazil 16 years in the past,” referring to Gatti Sr., whose loss of life in 2009 was finally dominated a suicide. He was 37.
Gatti Jr.’s boxing coach, Moe Latif, confirmed {the teenager}’s loss of life in an Instagram Story on Wednesday. “It’s sadly not a rumor or a joke. Arturo is gone,” he wrote.
Latif added, “I’d admire when you cease reaching out right now.”
Information of Gatti Jr.’s loss of life shocked the boxing world on Wednesday. The World Boxing Council mentioned in a assertion, “The World Boxing Council expresses its deepest condolences following the passing of Arturo Gatti Jr., who at solely 17 years previous and was rising as one in all boxing’s vivid younger prospects. … Younger Arturo Gatti Jr. represented the hope of a brand new period, with the hearth, ardour and coronary heart of a champion.”
“The WBC sends its heartfelt condolences to the Gatti household, associates, and your entire boxing neighborhood mourning this so heartbreaking loss,” the assertion continued.
Arturo Gatti Sr. The Ring Journal through Getty Photographs
Longtime Canadian boxing coach and broadcaster Russ Abner was amongst those that paid tribute to the beginner boxer in an Instagram publish.
“Tragic! Completely tragic! My coronary heart goes out to Arturo Jr’s family and friends, and particularly to those who liked and cared for him probably the most,” Abner wrote. “His coach and the one father determine he ever knew @moelatif his associates and fitness center mates at my @ring83boxingclub in Montreal.”
Abner went on, “In such a short while on this earth, you touched so many and undoubtedly left your mark. Might his reminiscence be everlasting ! RIP Arturo Jr. @arturogattijr 😢😢🙏🙏❤️❤️.”
Boxer Jean Pascal shared in an X tribute, “Sixteen years after dropping his father, the world loses one other Gatti. The son of a legend, two fighters, one legacy, each gone too quickly. Might they reunite in peace. My coronary heart is heavy… life may be unfair generally.”
He added, “I’m sending power, love, and prayers to his household. Might he relaxation in energy, like his father a real warrior. 😢🙏🏾🕊️🕊️”
In a 2012 interview with CBS’ 48 Hours Thriller, Gatti Sr.’s widow, Amanda Rodrigues, mirrored on her husband’s loss of life and elevating their son alone.
“He’s all the pieces I requested God for. Junior makes me full,” Rodrigues mentioned, noting that Gatti Jr. regarded similar to his father.
“The smile is identical… similar to his daddy,” she mentioned. “I miss my husband very a lot. I miss him once I fall asleep; I miss him once I get up.”
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