Sports
Arturo Gatti Jr., Son of Late Boxer Arturo Gatti, Dead at 17: ‘Same Way They Found His Father’
Aspiring boxer Arturo Gatti Jr. — the son of late boxer Arturo Gatti — has passed away 16 years after his father’s death under similar circumstances.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I have to say,…. R.I.P. to 17-year-old ARTURO GATTI JR.,” Gatti Sr.’s former bodyguard, Chuck Zito, wrote on Instagram on Wednesday, October 8.
“The same way they found his Father dead in an apartment in Brazil 16 years ago,” the actor and stuntman added, revealing that Gatti Jr. died by suicide in an apartment in Mexico.
In 2009, the Canadian former super lightweight champion died at age 37 while vacationing with his wife Amanda Rodrigues and son, who was 10 months old at the time, in Ipojuca, Brazil.
Rodrigues was initially charged with murder until officials ruled his death a suicide.
“He’s everything I asked God for. Junior makes me complete,” Rodrigues told 48 Hours Mystery of her son in 2012. “The smile is the same…just like his daddy.”
According to TVA Nouvelles via Daily Mail, Gatti Jr. was in Mexico with his mother at the time of his passing.
Gatti Jr. pursued the same sport as his father, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012. The young man had previously trained with Mike Tyson.
“Words fail to describe the deep sorrow the entire boxing family feels upon the passing of Arturo Gatti Jr.,” World Boxing Council shared in a statement posted on Instagram. “He is now with his beloved father in heaven for eternity. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Gatti Jr.’s last Instagram post, shared on September 22, featured a photo of his late father.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline or go to 988lifeline.org.
