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Clash of True Titans - Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward - Page 3

© Roy Pickering

I was surprised to find myself actually rooting for a draw. Like most fight fans, I usually prefer that a match ends with clear resolution. A knockout is the preferred conclusion, because there is nothing vague or questionable about it. Boxing judges are notorious for seeing fights in a manner that is contrary to the eyes of just about everyone else who saw them. On this incredible night where the sweet science was exhibited to the satisfaction of its most devoutly ardent fans, temporarily silencing the valid criticism of those who long to abolish or at least severely reform the sport, neither man seemed to deserve a loss for his gargantuan effort. I had a rather selfish effort for wanting the fight to be ruled a draw as well. This would just about guarantee a rematch. I cannot imagine a fight I would rather see in the future than Arturo Gatti versus Micky Ward one more time. Before the first punches of the night were thrown, I had been greatly looking forward to the fight, but not with nearly as much anticipation as I held for the upcoming Lewis-Tyson bout. I am still very excited about that clash of British gentleman versus American madman, but common sense tells me not to expect anything close to the thrills elicited by Ward and Gatti.

For those who do not already know, the decision was given to Micky Ward. I was slightly surprised by this, because due to his greater punch output, I thought that if one of them had to be chosen winner over the other, Gatti would be given the benefit of the doubt. But I was not crying robbery over the call, because a strong argument could certainly be made on behalf of either man, and it was Ward who had most astounded me with his ability to take a licking and keep on ticking. Plus it was Ward who recorded the only knockdown of the night. When he floored Gatti with a punch to the midsection in the ninth round, I was absolutely certain that Micky was about to close the show. Boxers often recover strongly after being put down from a punch to the head, but when a body blow is the culprit, this usually spells certain doom. I expected Micky Ward to spend the remainder of the round teeing off on Gatti’s ribs until he crumbled like a deck of cards. Instead, Ward went back to head hunting. Perhaps he felt this was the more honorable manner in which to dispatch of his worthy opponent. He just about finished Gatti off, but somehow Arturo remained on his feet, and then once again, Arturo Gatti somehow turned the momentum of the fight back in his favor. As amazed as I was by yet another swing in direction, by this point I could no longer be surprised by either man’s resilience. This was not Rocky Balboa versus Opollo Creed, but something even more cinematic and fantastic. It was Rocky versus Rocky.

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