It has not happened just once that I have seen the question of whether Arturo Gatti is a legend being raised. Typically, people judge fighters legacies based on the quality of their opposition and their accomplishments. But what about those that could not quite compete at the elite level? Can fighters such as Diego Corrales and Arturo Gatti be considered as modern legends?
For this writer, they are.
Although Gatti fought the best he was unable to overcome them with his style of always going to war with his opponents. The elite level know and use a little more than just trading punches. They look for openings and time their most important shots and use defensive skills to take the sport’s richest prizes and line their pockets by competing on Pay Per View. Gatti and Corrales, it may be fair to say, were not known for such qualities. So, how are they legends of boxing?
The term ‘legend’ is bandied about too often these days of those that are rather undeserving of such an acolade, but it is the people that decide. That is what legacy is all about. Nobody but the viewing audience decide. It is how much a fighter is remembered after his career and what he is remembered for. Gatti and Corrales always gave the paying public terrific value for their money with their fighting styles, which often meant they had to endure punishment to give some. When matched with opposition of their level the fights were often competitive and became forever and firmly etched in the minds of the people, dedicated fan or not. Many people remember Diego Corrales’ fight with Jose Luis Castillo back in 2005 which ended spectacularly in the tenth round when Corrales came back from the very brink of a stoppage defeat to use every reserve in his battered body to halt a tired Castillo. Many also remember him for repeatedly rising from several knockdowns against Floyd Mayweather despite the obvious difference in class early in the bout. Arturo Gatti’s three fights with Mickey Ward and Ivan Robinson were spectacular. The original Robinson fight was considered Fight of the Year in 1998 by Ring magazine.
There are different “types” of fans when it comes to boxing. Some marvel at the skills and quick reflexes of Mayweather and Rigondeaux, while others may prefer the blood and guts head first styles of Gatti and Corrales, but let’s not forget that many of the fights that have been considered great in the sport of boxing have hardly been one sided skillful affairs.
If you are still deciding whether Arturo Gatti and Diego Corrales are legendary figures of boxing then consider the opinion of the great trainer Cus D’amato, who once said “Boxing is entertainment.”
Arturo Gatti and Diego Corrales were the very definition of that opinion.
