Arturo "Thunder" Gatti (1972-2009)

The world is saddened today by the passing of Arturo "Thunder" Gatti, a two-division world champion and boxing legend, who police confirm died of blunt trauma to the head in his rented condo at the upscale Porto de Galinhas beach.

Gatti, a popular warrior-boxer often credited with injecting life in the pugilistic scene of Atlantic City, is best remembered for his trilogy against Micky Ward and being involved in THE RING magazine's "Fight of the Year Award" a total of four times - for the years 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2003 - the latter two being for the first and third Ward encounters.

Thunder, an Italian-born Canadian who fought out of New Jersey, filled the legendary Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City a total of nine times and was considered to be a fighter's fighter - always battling on, even against astronomical odds. His rough-and-tumble style endeared him to a dedicated legion of fans, whose unwavering support carried Gatti through thick and thin.

At his apex, Gatti defeated Tracy Harris Patterson to claim the IBF super featherweight belt, which he held for two years, and also won the WBC light welterweight strap which he kept for a year and a half, until it was relinquished to Floyd Mayweather Jr.

But Gatti's interim career is the most indicative of his essence: three magnificent fights against "Irish" Micky Ward, two of which were won despite Thunder's broken right hand; a one-body-punch KO of gritty Leonard Dorin; a brave effort against a prime Oscar de la Hoya; a comeback KO win against Wilson Rodriguez; an attempted comeback at age 35 which ended in a loss - all of which demonstrate his excessive passion for his trade.

In defeat Gatti was, somehow paradoxically, at his most heroic: against Manfredy, he had a gash the size of a pencil on his eyebrow when the fight was stopped. Gatti protested this, and was informed by the ringside physician that he had been cut to the bone; to this, Thunder nonchalantly replied: "Good, that means it can't get any deeper, right? Lemme fight on!"

Gatti was not a supremely talented fighter. He did not possess exceptional speed, or power. He compensated for this by being the bravest boxer since Jake LaMotta, and adopting a brawling, crowd-pleasing style that did the sport a tremendous service. In life, he exemplified the qualities of a populist boxer: clean fighting, a good set of whiskers and a humble demeanor in both victory and defeat.

But, as the world slept on Saturday morning, his life was violently extinguished by a senseless and barbaric act. In death, Gatti leaves behind a sparkling legacy and an anthology of memorable fights that reminds every boxing enthusiast why our sport is so great.

Rest in peace, champ.