Arturo Gatti Jr., son of former IBF Super featherweight and WBC Super Lightweight champion, Arturo Gatti, is dead at just 17 years of age. According to reports, Gatti Jr. died of apparent suicide, which was confirmed by Chuck Zitto — former bodyguard of Gatti Sr. — on social media.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I have to say,…. R.I.P. to 17-year-old ARTURO GATTI JR. who was found hanging in an apartment in Mexico yesterday,” Zitto posted on Instagram.
“The same way they found his father dead in an
apartment in Brazil 16 years ago. My condolences to Arturo Gatti Seniors – Mom, Sisters, Brothers, and his daughter Sophia.”
Per reports, Gatti Jr. was in Mexico when his mother where he was found hanged.
In a truly cruel twist of fate, Gatti Sr. was found dead at the age of 37 in an apartment 16 years ago when Gatti Jr. was just a year old. His death was also initially ruled a suicide via hanging, though further reports suggest he may have been murdered. Gatti’s wife was a suspect in the case and arrested, though she was ultimately released and cleared. Given the parallels surrounds Gatti Sr’s mysterious death makes today’s news that much more heartbreaking.
Of course, Gatti Sr. was known as one of the most exciting boxers ever in large part due to his trilogy with Mickey Ward in the early 2000s. He also faced off against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya, losing to both of the former world champions.
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