Boxing
Death of Arturo Gatti Jr. at the age of 17 – a tragedy that haunts the boxer Gatti’s family
Tragedy befell boxing again. Arturo Gatti Jr., the teenage son of Canadian martial arts legend Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, has died at the age of just 17. He was found hanged in an apartment in Mexico where he was staying with his mother, Amanda Rodrigues.
For those who loved the name Gatti, this is a blow straight to an aged wound. Sixteen years ago sports lost Arturo Sr. under a cloud of unanswered questions. Now the son he left behind – the boy cradled in his arms on that fateful trip to Brazil – was gone before he could even begin his own life.
The news came to airy when Gatti’s longtime friend and former bodyguard, Chuck Zito, posted on Instagram:
“It is with a hefty heart that I must say this… I AM SACRED to 17-year-old ARTURO GATTI JR., who was found hanging in an apartment in Mexico yesterday. The same way his father was found dead in an apartment in Brazil 16 years ago.”
The family has not yet released an official statement. Mexican authorities have not confirmed further details preliminary reports.
A kid who wanted to fight for his father’s name
Arturo Jr. he grew up in gyms. He has been boxing since he was six years aged, learning the craft the strenuous way – sparring, working in the bag, early mornings. Those close to him say he wanted to honor his father’s name and maybe even go further.
Coach Mo Latif, who has overseen him for years, was reportedly heading to Mexico this week to train with him. Friends say he studied his father’s wars under Micky Ward and interacted with legends such as Mike Tyson. He wasn’t just a kid playing boxing; he was grave.
That dream – to one day step into the ring with the word “Gatti” embroidered on his trunks – ended before it began.
There is still no peace in the Gatti case
The death of Arturo Sr. in 2009 still rankles many in boxing. He was found dead in a Brazilian apartment, bruised and with a ligature mark around his neck. His death was ruled a suicide after authorities released Rodrigues, who was initially arrested.
But friends never accepted it. Pat Lynch, Gatti’s longtime manager, hired investigators and forensic experts who believed the great fighter may have been knocked out and strangled. The Quebec coroner later called the Brazilian investigation so poorly handled that no one could say for sure what happened. The official records refer to “violent death by neck compression”, but the truth seems lost.
Now the boy who had experienced this mystery as an infant was also gone.
Pain behind the gloves
Those who followed Arturo Sr. know what he gave to boxing – blood, stamina and every ounce of heart a fighter could have. Fans still talk about the Micky Ward wars like they happened yesterday.
This loss is deeper because Gatti Jr. he tried to forge his own path, bearing a name burdened with glory and sadness. For the Gatti family and those in the boxing community who knew the kid, it’s just another funeral where there should have been a fight.
Funeral details have not been announced yet. For now, all anyone can do is send their condolences to the family who have given so much to this sport.
Last update: 10/08/2025
Virginia has given World Boxing News its final answer on whether Prichard Colón’s last professional defeat can still be challenged, bringing an end to WBN’s long fight to have the result annulled and removed from his record.
WBN has pursued the possibility of changing the controversial disqualification defeat to Terrel Williams, with those efforts continuing following Colón’s death at age 33.
Virginia’s Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation previously explained that a decision can only be overturned if there is proven collusion, a scorecard error, or a regulatory violation that affected the result.
WBN pressed Eric Beidel, Communications & Digital Media Manager for the Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation, on whether any avenue remained to challenge the decision.
“And on that final question … as mentioned before, a decision can only be overturned if there is proven collusion, a scorecard error, or a regulatory violation that affected the results,” Beidel graciously responded after providing WBN with transparent answers throughout the investigation.
“In addition, a complaint about a regulatory violation must be filed within three years of the alleged violation.”
The Colón-Williams fight took place on October 17, 2015, meaning that deadline expired years ago.
Virginia Closes Appeal Route
Virginia’s response also addressed whether the result could instead be challenged through an appeal.
“The Administrative Process Act (APA) does create appeal rights to case decisions, but because DPOR never received a complaint in this instance, there was no case or decision that could be appealed under the APA.”
The deadline for filing a complaint about a regulatory violation has expired, while the absence of an original complaint means there is no case decision available to appeal under the APA.
For WBN, Virginia’s response ends a long fight to have the defeat annulled and removed from Colón’s professional record.
WBN’s Fight for Prichard Colón
It is no secret that WBN and Prichard were close before the most tragic night of his career ended all contact and left us on the outside for the years leading up to his death.
That never stopped WBN from reporting on Prichard, campaigning for change and hoping lessons from what happened to him could help prevent another fighter and family from enduring the same tragedy.
Virginia’s final response may end WBN’s attempts to have the result changed, but it does not end our commitment to Prichard.
Prichard Colón will not be forgotten.
WBN will continue to keep his name alive whenever and wherever possible with the WBN Boxer Pageand push to ensure his fight for life and everything that happened in its aftermath are never allowed to simply disappear from boxing’s memory.
This investigation ends here, but Prichard’s story does not.
About the Author
Phil Jay is the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN), a BWAA-acknowledged boxing news website founded in 2010. A veteran boxing reporter with 16 years of experience, he has interviewed world champions, broken international exclusives, and reported ringside from major events. His work is published worldwide through WBN and distributed on platforms including Apple News.
Read Phil Jay’s full bio and latest stories.
Tina Black seeks history, says TUF trophy could ‘soon’ lead to UFC title win
Should MMA ban oblique kicks? A fighter who had his knee torn in a UFC title fight weighs in
Davies vs Collins & Heaney vs Warburton II Results: Full Fight Recap
-
MMA2 days agoTyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua finally confirmed for Dec. 11 in Cardiff
-
MMA2 days agoUFC pulls Mickey Gall from long-awaited return for medical reasons
-
MMA2 days agoEddie Hearn says Netflix ‘didn’t get the memo’ on Dana White, Fury-Joshua
-
MMA2 days agoJustin Gaethje believes Ilia Topuria is undersized for lightweight division
-
MMA2 days agoUsman Nurmagomedov questions Gable Steveson's lack of MMA experience
-
Boxing1 day agoTim Bradleys Bold Free Money Verdict on Shakur Stevenson vs. Pacquiao Fight
-
Boxing22 hours agoTerence Crawford Dismisses Ryan Garcias Fight Claims with a Laughter
-
Boxing1 day agoTeddy Atlas Predicts Winner of Ryan Garcia vs Isaac Cruz: Key Opportunities for Success