Ward-Gatti III

Blu · 06-07-2003, 11:27 AM

The rubber match of one of the best fight series that I have seen in a while concludes tonight!

Two brilliant throwback warriors, one set to retire the other positioning himself for a title shot, find out who has the stuff tonight. If anyone has seen I or II then they will be as excited as I am to see III.

Mickey Ward and Arturo Gatti tonight!

Scott_lb · 06-07-2003, 01:40 PM

I'm pulling for Gatti.

Blu · 06-07-2003, 04:08 PM

I'm going for both fighters. I've been a fan of both for a long time and know they will give it their all.

Blu · 06-07-2003, 10:23 PM

Ralph Summa · 06-09-2003, 01:48 PM

Wow is right! Not at all like the second fight. It's as close to a real-life "Rocky" fight as you'll ever get. Complete with blood and broken bones.

**HTF Ads**

Scott Bourden · 06-09-2003, 05:31 PM

http://www.boxinginsider.com/article...SMContentSet=0

Patrick Sun · 06-09-2003, 06:48 PM

I happened to get this fight recorded on my ReplayTV, so I checked it out, and was impressed by the rock'em sock'em fight ethic by both fighters. Gatti was smart in how he fought the last 6 rounds with a mucked up right hand. Ward was just a brawler who, if he had better training and instruction in the corner, could have beaten Gatti, but he just didn't know how to take advantage of the situation.

Blu · 06-09-2003, 08:35 PM

There is no amount of training to help Mickey Ward. He just isn't physically gifted with speed or quick feet. He knows what his strengths are which are a iron jaw and endurance. He has always basically stood in front of people and pounded on them. The jab isn't a familiar weapon to Mickey Ward and he is often outclassed but always rises to a fight even on very short notice in his earlier club days on ESPN and USA network. Sometimes he didn't win (12 losses) but his opponents always knew they were in a dog fight.

Arturo Gatti is a physically gifted fighter with no quit and speed to burn. He always takes damage in his fights to give more damage. He has defensive skills but is more of a offensive fighter and should earn a title shot which will probably be a easier fight than Ward gave him.

This was the best fight trilogy I believe I have ever seen.
Thank you to both fighters!

Scott_lb · 06-10-2003, 12:41 AM

I agree- this is the best trilogy of fights I have ever seen as well. Also, it's a good example of why I love Gatti as a fighter: he has determination unlike any other I've seen. My favorite part of the fight:

(end of round two)
Gatti, leaning his head on his trainers chest wincing in pain: "My hand, my right hand!" (for those who don't know, he apparently broke his right hand on Ward's hip bone during round two)

Trainer: "What do you want me to do."

Gatti: "I WANT TO CONTINUE."

That is a real fighter- he has a friggin' broken hand and he continues to fight EIGHT more rounds and continues to win. I understand that many fighters besides Gatti also continue under adverse circumstances, however, Gatti just seems to never quit and always give everything he's got. I love fighters like that- I'd prefer to watch someone rise from adversity, even if they don't win, than to watch someone never get touched and score a knockout early on.

Also, anyone else hoping that Vitali Klitschko (sp?) gets to fight Lewis this month? I'm hopeful, but not counting on it.

Blu · 06-10-2003, 06:49 AM

The heavyweights have become the joke of boxing.
I find much better and more entertaining bouts in the lower divisions. Lewis has a glass jaw, Holyfield is past his prime, Morrison has AIDS, Bowe is a mental case, and Tyson is just Tyson, Rahman was a Douglas.

Yeah Klitschko would be a better fight than Johnson obviously but we'll see if it happens.