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Arturo Gatti Jr., the son of boxing legend Arturo Gatti, has died, the World Boxing Association (WBA) announced Wednesday. He was 17 years old.
The WBA released a statement on social media.
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Arturo Gatti at the press conference announcing his upcoming fight against Alfonso Gomez on May 22, 2007. (Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY)
“The WBA and the boxing world mourn the passing of Arturo Gatti Jr.,” the organization wrote on
“Our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Chuck Zito, Gatti Sr.’s former bodyguard, also confirmed the teen’s death on social media. He wrote on social media that young Gatti had been “found hanged in an apartment in Mexico.” Additional details about the teen’s death were unclear.
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Gatti Jr. initially sought to follow in his legendary father’s footsteps with an amateur boxing career in hopes of making it to the Olympics, according to ESPN. He was not even a year old when his father was found dead in a hotel in Brazil in 2009.
Gatti’s widow, Amanda Rodrigues, was initially charged with murder. But Brazilian authorities later concluded it was suicide. Rodrigues had the charges dropped.
Mickey Ward (white/red trunks) and Arturo Gatti (white trunks) exchange punches during their fight at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, June 7, 2003. (Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports)
The boxer had a record of 40-9 during his career and had epic fights with Oscar De La Hoya, Mickey Ward and Floyd Mayweather Jr. He held the IBF junior lightweight and WBC super lightweight titles during his career.
