Tonight HBO was clearly hyping Micheal Katsidis' power, rough brawling style- talking about how he was an all action fighter. They dropped Gatti's name. It's well known that Arturro wasn't the most skilled but he had heart and a solid punch, so for years HBO rode him even when he lost because he gave them close, exciting fights. At one point Max Kellerman even said, "Could Katsidis be the new Gatti?" and even when the action was close, "Now you can see why we compare him to Gatti..."
Now, even in a loss Katsidis might be their new Gatti. He got knocked out- but also almost won by K.O, too. What about Andrade, though?
The Kessler fight wasn't close but it freaked people out by showing how much sheer punishment Andrade could take. His head was flying back, sweat misting into the air, and yet he kept coming forward. It was compelling enough that they've brought him back twice now. Both times he got smacked around, he got knocked down against Mack, but he won by K.O. Does that spell something? He's obviously going to keep getting air-time if he keeps winning...and two straight knock out wins on HBO television don't go without rewards. I think he'll fight again- maybe Bute- on HBO. Could ANDRADE be their new Gatti? A limited guy who can knock you out, takes a ton of punishment to do it, but has heart?
Just a thought. I don't think we will be, personally, but I thought it was a fun idea that HBO wanted it from Katsidis but the only limited brawler to win tonight was Librado.
i can only see a few fighters being "short-term" gattis.
a long term gatti, well there was only one.
i hope katsidis can earn half of what gatti did, and same for andrade...
There will never be another Arturo Gatti. Not even close. It will be another 100 years before we see a fighter like him come along again. Obviosuly, I dont mean talent wise because there have been dozens better in that department.Maybe you'll see some exciting fights from these guys, but It will be difficult to find someone that could come back as many times as Gatti did through the years. His longevity is unheard of. The man took so many beatings for so many years and was still significant because he was never OUT OF a fight . Even until the Gomez fight.
I mean purely in the sense of how HBO markets him, though. You know? It has to be admitted the network was merciless with wanting Arturro to fight for them. Even when he seemed down and out they'd put him on television because he could sell out Atlantic city; people loved his heart. I feel like HBO might milk Andrade in a similiar fashion thereby making him "the poor man's Gatti..." Not nearly as iconic...but used in similar fashion.
why cant he just be katsidis? why does he have to be compared with gatti
its hype like this that pisses me off, let him be who he is
People will always be compared. Slick, fast boxers with good defense are often called Pernell Whitackers', etc. It's life. In this case it's used to market a fighter. "Andrade is like Gatti...he's in close fights but wins." Casual fans go, "Oh, I liked Gatti...damn, I want to see him." And if he delivers he's garnered another fan.
There will never be another Arturo Gatti. Not even close. It will be another 100 years before we see a fighter like him come along again. Obviosuly, I dont mean talent wise because there have been dozens better in that department.Maybe you'll see some exciting fights from these guys, but It will be difficult to find someone that could come back as many times as Gatti did through the years. His longevity is unheard of. The man took so many beatings for so many years and was still significant because he was never OUT OF a fight . Even until the Gomez fight.
Yeah: Andrade- The Poor Man's Gatti.
I mean this less due to style and more due to how HBO will be able to use him. Obviously, Librado bears little resemblence in actual fighting style to Arturro Gatti. But Gatti's role for HBO was to be in close brawls in which he'd either eek out a win; or be in a fight entertaining enough that people would pay to see him fight again. His home was Atlantic City- they could count on him to sell there.
Maybe Andrade can ride his Mexican heritage to be his Atlantic city? Mexicans don't have many larger men fighting; he's a super middleweight. Andrade looks like he can be counted on in a similar fashion; he's going to put his all into winning, chug forward like the little engine that could- and the fight will be close if only because his defense is horrid. The Mack fight showed it can be a sea-saw battle in the sense that he was down and came back to win by KO- and people like that.
He's not going to be in the same type of brawls as Gatti...but being a poor man's Gatti maybe all he has to do for HBO is fill that type of role. A guy they can count on to help stack an undercard, or be a co-feature fighter...who wears a guy down in a close fight; who people want to watch, and who has a decent fanbase if he can attract the Mexicans.
No?
No doubt Katsidis if a faster puncher, more explosive, with a powerful punch. He's going to be in high-action brawls more like Gatti. I'm sure. But if Librado Andrade can keep this up; get smacked around and yet keep getting TKO/KO wins...can't HBO ride him as an unskilled brawler; a poor man's Gatti? Possible.
Love it. Poor man's Gatti. Great quote. But, I do like Andrade.
Only time will tell. I just favour Katsidis to fill the Gatti role better.
No doubt Katsidis if a faster puncher, more explosive, with a powerful punch. He's going to be in high-action brawls more like Gatti. I'm sure. But if Librado Andrade can keep this up; get smacked around and yet keep getting TKO/KO wins...can't HBO ride him as an unskilled brawler; a poor man's Gatti? Possible.
Simply put no. He lacks the attack, he sure has a good chin though.
Gatti didn't always fight top dogs to get into exciting fights, who says Andrade has to? I mean, if you put him against limited guys- like Mack, Muller and Stieglitz he'll get the KO. Even with his wide shots and lack of polish. With a chin like his all he has to do is wear these guys down; and an exciting fight is an exciting fight. Maybe he's on the path to being a poor man's Gatti, then? Not quite as explosive...but in close, entertaining fights where he manages to stop people late?