I'll make this one short and sweet - altho' it is more bitter than pleasing to the palate - this upcoming June 7, HBO Gatti-Ward tiebreaker - for no matter how they dress it up, it is nothing more than an ugly duckling in the making.

The HBO gang knows it, as well as the man in the street fight fan, what they have going here is a mega moneymaker of a going away party for Micky Ward, who is already on record as retiring after this finale with Gatti.

Arturo has a bit more in the offing ... along with a big pay check, a win probably gets him a shot at Kostya Tszyu ... the guy hoarding them straps adorned with all the letters and trinkets.

Ok, I said short and sour, right?

We all recall that first Gatti-Ward meeting ... fight of the year winner and all ... they went at it from the opening bell as if any hint of defense was a sign of cowardice ... thus the well earned post fight accolades.

Then November of last year ... meeting two ... but first a reminder ... Ward is and will always be the ring laborer ... Gatti the blue collar ringman. Difference is the laborer is one dimensional - nothing changes in style regardless of how the fight is going. The blue-collar guy differs in that he can go punch for punch when it serves the purpose, but can also adjust a wee bit if needed.

Gatti-Ward II is ideal example ... Ward the plodding but ineffective aggressor and Gatti in the role of boxer- puncher ... and while Ward made a reported take home of $1.5M to Gatti's $1.2, he also took home a perforated eardrum, courtesy of Gatti right hand in third stanza.

Did I omit something ... of course I did ... Ward left that last one physically and mentally exhausted ... and today, prepping for his announced finale, he's an old age 37 while Gatti a much younger and fresher 30 year old.

Forget the Gatti 35-6 (28) - Ward 38-12 (27) won-loss records ... what is more revealing is when last met the scores went unanimous decision Gatti 98-91, 98-91 and 98-90.

Them shameless purveyors of pugilism have cooked up some tasteless fare recently - X-rated mismatches went Mike Stewart abusing Chucky T, Scott Harrison blistering a wasted Wayne McCullough, and as recent as last noche it was Barrera stopping a yesterday star, turned falling ember, Kevin Kelley.

But, as that ancient crooner Al Jolson once loved shouting it, "You ain't seen nuthin' yet."

Which returns us to Gatti-Ward III ... on that nasty note, I'm outta here!

Semper fi,

GEL

4-13-2003

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