Arturo Gatti Jr., the son of late boxing icon Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, has died on the age of 17.
The newbie fighter was simply an toddler when his father died by suicide in 2009 at age 37. The youthful Gatti was discovered lifeless in the identical method earlier this week at an house in Mexico Metropolis, in keeping with a social media submit from his former bodyguard Chuck Zito.
“It’s with a heavy coronary heart that I’ve to say,…. R.I.P. to 17-year-old ARTURO GATTI JR.,” Zito wrote Wednesday on Instagram, adding: “The identical means they discovered his Father lifeless in an house in Brazil 16 years in the past. My condolences to Arturo Gatti Seniors – Mother, Sisters, Brothers, and his daughter Sophia.”
Authorities haven’t but confirmed the teenager’s official explanation for loss of life.
Gatti Jr. had moved to Mexico Metropolis to coach at native boxing academies so he might ultimately make his skilled debut, according to CBS News. He was reportedly dwelling in an house together with his mom, Amanda Rodrigues, Gatti Sr.’s widow.
The youthful Gatti was 10 months previous when his father, a world champion in two separate weight lessons, was discovered lifeless at an house in Brazil he had rented with Rodrigues. She was arrested as a suspect on the time earlier than investigators dominated his loss of life a suicide.
Rodrigues spoke proudly of her son in 2012, telling CBS News correspondent Erin Moriarty on “48 Hours Thriller,” “He’s every thing I requested God for. Junior makes me full.”
“The smile is identical… similar to his daddy,” she added. “I miss my husband very a lot.”
Gatti Sr. was a world champion within the tremendous featherweight division within the Nineteen Nineties and the tremendous light-weight division within the 2000s. Gatti Jr. shared a modified image on Instagram solely two weeks in the past depicting the 2 standing subsequent to one another of their boxing gear.
“The WBA and the boxing world mourn the passing of Arturo Gatti Jr.,” the World Boxing Affiliation wrote Wednesday on X. “His journey was simply starting, but his spirit will stay on, now he’s reunited together with his legendary father among the many stars.”
“Our deepest condolences to his household and family members,” the WBA continued.
Gatti Jr. has since been mourned by fellow boxers on social media, together with former light-heavyweight champion Jean Pascal and influencer Jake Paul. His longtime coach Moe Latif has reportedly requested individuals to cease contacting him in regards to the loss.
“It’s sadly not a rumor or a joke,” he wrote in an Instagram Story. “Arturo is gone.”
In the event you or somebody you understand wants assist, name or textual content 988 or chat 988lifeline.org for psychological well being help. Moreover, you will discover native psychological well being and disaster assets at dontcallthepolice.com. Outdoors of the U.S., please go to the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
