Who will Gatti fight next?

Gatti on the cards for Witter John Rawling Thursday March 10, 2005 The Guardian Junior Witter's promoter Mick Hennessy has made a $2.5m (£1.3m) bid to give the British and Commonwealth light-welterweight title holder an opportunity against the World Boxing Council champion Arturo Gatti at Nottingham Arena on June 11. Gatti, a crowd-pleasing Canadian, was to have defended his title against Floyd Mayweather, but contract negotiations have broken down between his promoters Main Events and Bob Arum who represents Mayweather. The American broadcaster HBO is keen that Gatti still fights on June 11 and Hennessy believes Witter might provide the most lucrative option for the champion. Although Ricky Hatton is due to challenge Kostya Tszyu for the International Boxing Federation version of the title at the MEN Arena in Manchester the previous weekend, an event that is already a complete sell-out, Gatti would be a massive attraction at the 12,000-capacity Nottingham venue. "I have done my homework and I know that I can make this work," said Hennessy. "The most important thing is that Junior really wants the fight. In his last contest, against Lovemore N'Dou, he broke a bone in his hand in the second round and still won well. Now people in America are waking up to what a talented fighter he is. "This is a genuine offer and Gatti's people are considering it. But if they are not happy about coming to England, it is not a problem. Junior is ready to go anywhere to get the chance to fight for the title. "And the fact Hatton and Tszyu are fighting the previous week isn't a problem. People are always keen to see genuine fights and this would be special. And I believe Junior has the style and the power to beat Gatti." Witter's chances of landing the fight are further boosted by the three-fight co-promotional deal Hennessy signed with Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions last month. De la Hoya, who praised Witter's points win over N'Dou on the Bernard Hopkins-Howard Eastman undercard, said: "Everyone knows Arturo is a true warrior but personally I think it would be a very tough fight because Junior has substantial advantages in speed and power over him."

I personally think that the only fight left for Gatti to take is Tzyu. If he cannot reach a deal with Mayweather, he still needs to fight a top guy because he is getting older every day and although he has already made a statement about his heart and courage, his time might be running out to make a statement about his skill.

Chop chop and Witter would be too dangerous to take on. Their styles would give Gatti fits and they would stand a great chance of beating Gatti. For Gatti to prolong his title reign he needs a few shot fighters with a name, like with jesse James! Ben Tackie would be a good opponent, or Vince Philips. That's kind of the point I was trying to convey. I'm not a Gatti hater (as suggested above); on the contrary, I love to see Gatti fight. I'm just tired of the opposition they keep putting in with him. Dorin I can understand, but Leija (in lieu of PBF) is a sorry excuse. I'm sure there were better opponents available. If Gatti doesn't take on a legitimate top 5 contender I'm going to be really disapointed in him.

Chop chop and Witter would be too dangerous to take on. Their styles would give Gatti fits and they would stand a great chance of beating Gatti. For Gatti to prolong his title reign he needs a few shot fighters with a name, like with jesse James! Ben Tackie would be a good opponent, or Vince Philips.

Either Chop Chop or Junior Witter would be good. Id like to see a bit more of Junior to see if he really belongs in the 140lb upper echelon

i'm thinking they'll match gatti with chop chop now.... cotto and harris would be too dangerous...

So you're a Gatti hater! I like Gatti but you're probably right, he's not the most talented boxer. A fight with Augustus would sure be entertaining but I don't think it will happen. Gatti need to make statement right now and he knows it. The perfect opponent would be Cotto. Gatti can take a punch and Cotto can't! Gatti would destroy him within 5! :confused: Cotto would have Gatti bloody within 4 rounds and TKO Gatti within 7.

So you're a Gatti hater! I like Gatti but you're probably right, he's not the most talented boxer. A fight with Augustus would sure be entertaining but I don't think it will happen. Gatti need to make statement right now and he knows it. The perfect opponent would be Cotto. Gatti can take a punch and Cotto can't! Gatti would destroy him within 5!

IMHO, Gatti is just a paper champ. Who did he beat for the (vacant) title? Branco? Please! And then he goes and defends it against a geriatric Leija?!?! Gatti gets eaten alive by Witter, Hatton, KZ, Sharmba, Harris, PBF (most definitely), Emanuel Augustus, and Cotto. Hell, even N'Dou would beat Gatti. Because of this, his handlers will find him some bum to fight. I have a list of possible matches: 1. Wilfredo Vilches (Sharmba and Hatton recycle) 2. Panchito Bojado (give the boy a shot after the Leija beat down?) 3. Carlos Mausa (beat by Cotto but he did beat J. Resto) 4. Souleymane M'baye (another Euro trash fighter with an inflated record) 5. Ray Oliveira (hey, why not?) 6. Emmanuel Clottey (just the right tomato can for Gatti) 7. Eleazar Contreras (he's on a 5-fight win streak!) 8. Ebo Elder (this I'd like to see, great fight but not a tough one for Gatti) 9. Courtney Burton (yup, the same guy that always gets KO'd in the last round) My point is, I don't think we'll see him fight anyone with a pulse. Gatti is not scared but his handlers are! I'd love to see him fight Emanuel Augustus. That would be a great fight and I think Burton would box the pants off Gatti. If anyone has earned a few 'cupcake' fights it has to be Arturo, right? He's got a great chin, power, heart and he's never boring. Thanks to Buddy McGirt (and they say you can't teach an old Dog any new tricks) Gatti looks better than he ever has. Win or lose I hope we get to see some of the fights you mentioned!!