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 Zito — 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,” Zito 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 with his mother (Gatti Sr.‘s widow) in Mexico, 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 one-year old. His death was also initially ruled a suicide via hanging, though further reports suggest he may have been murdered.
Gatti’s widow was a suspect in the case and arrested, though she was ultimately released and cleared. Given the parallels surrounding Gatti Sr.’s mysterious death, it makes today’s unfortunate news that much more heartbreaking.
Of course, Gatti Sr. was known as one of the most exciting boxers ever in large part because of his trilogy with Mickey Ward in the early 2000’s. He also faced off against Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya, losing to both former world champions.
