There was more than a sellout crowd of 12,238 in attendance to see Arturo Gatti's rematch with Micky Ward at Convention Hall in Atlantic City, and each and everyone of them got his or her money's worth.

This fight's atmosphere was different from Arturo Gatti-Micky Ward I, which took place six moths prior at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. This one was packed, and it seemed like an eternity from the time the doors opened at 7:00 PM until the main event started at about 11:00 PM, despite a very good undercard.

Those who might have not paid much attention to their first bout, which was also a 10 round junior-welterweight bout with no title on the line, had heard about the sure winner for 2002 "Fight of the Year" and decided to show up for the return bout. There was no need for any bogus title to be on the line to make this a 12 rounder, because these guys packed more than 24 rounds of action into the 20 rounds they have fought against each other this year.

Many felt Gatti had pulled out a decision win the first time around, by out-boxing Ward for many of the rounds despite being drawn into his regular, brawling, all out war style by the middle rounds. However, Gatti had lost a point for low blows and then Ward dropped Gatti with his signature punch, (the patented left hook to the body), in the ninth and Micky pulled out a majority decision.

Micky's Massachusetts fans were ecstatic when the scores announced, but in this fight, taking place on Arturo's adopted home turf in New Jersey the tables would be turned. Despite the two not being far in distance, and many of Arturo's fans making the trip north, and Ward's making the trip south, it was obvious who had the majority of the crowd in both fights. This may also be the only time either of these guys will ever be booed on their entrance into the ring.

The thought of the rematch was very intriguing. Expert predictions seemed to be evenly split on who would win. Would Gatti out box Ward and not be drawn into a war? Would the seemingly physically stronger Ward out-muscle Gatti, wear him down and take the fight? Ward's camp had also made it known that Ward had fought with an injured left arm in the first fight. If he hurt Gatti with the bad left, what would happen when he hit him with the good one? Ward appeared to hurt Gatti several times in the first fight, while Gatti who landed more punches and many power punches seemed unable to penetrate Ward's apparent granite chin. Only the return bout would tell.

When the rematch finally got underway, the usually slow starting Ward charged out of his corner with a bomb, seemingly intent on starting fast and not giving way the early rounds, as he did in the first meeting. After good action, with Gatti getting the better of it for the first two rounds, Ward was hurt and dropped in the 3rd round. It appeared to be a right behind the ear.

Gatti, who said it was one of the best right hands he had ever thrown, jumped on Ward who clearly didn't have his legs when he got up. Smelling the knockout he went after Ward with everything he had, but much to his credit, Ward managed to survive. Micky later said that the right took away his equilibrium, and he couldn't get it together from that point on.

For a guy who had no legs and as he later said was seeing 6 Gattis in front of him, he did an excellent job of surviving the round, and actually landed a few hard blows of his own to let Gatti know he was still in a fight. It must be noted that just as referee Frank Cappuccino did a good job in the first bout, referee Earl Morton did a great job in the second. If it weren't for their reputation and well documented iron will, we may have seen a 9th round TKO for Ward and a 3rd round TKO for Gatti instead of two hard fought decisions. Just like in the last fight when McGirt was on the ring apron in the 9th round, Ward's brother Dicky Eklund was up there in the 3rd and close to stopping it.

By the 4th round it appeared this fight might turn out to be better than the first one. After being dominated in the 3rd, Ward had one of his better rounds in the 4th, and with these guys you never count either one of them out. However, Gatti did not waver from McGirt's game plan for the rest of the fight, out boxing Ward throughout.

Ward kept coming, but was clearly frustrated by Gatti's speed and all around ring generalship. In the closing rounds, unlike many other top fighters sure they are ahead on the scorecards, Gatti stayed in there and banged with Ward at times, maybe still trying for a stoppage that would never come. When the scores were announced 98-91 and 98-90 twice, no one was surprised.

Gatti looked better then ever with his best boxing performance since his rematch with Tracy Harris-Patterson in 1997. Ward's advisor Lou DiBella went as far as saying that Gatti fought his best fight since he was 20 years old, adding that five years after he retires there will be a spot for him in the Boxing Hall of Fame.

Both fighters had nothing but praise for each other at the post fight press conference, both camps showing utmost respect for each other as well. It was clear that Ward and his camp wanted a rematch. Gatti said he couldn't believe his mouth when he said he's willing to take a third fight with Ward. Ward, who said he couldn't get back on track after the 3rd round knockdown, also said he couldn't really get on track before it either. Gatti said that Ward is like his twin in terms of his heart, courage, and determination.

'Thunder' Gatti, who wants to be world champion again, said he would love to get a title fight against Kostya Tszyu. Tszyu is currently scheduled to take on Jesse James Leija, so it may take some time for that fight to materialize. Meanwhile, the feeling after the fight was that we might get a third installment of Gatti-Ward.

Ward, who said he would probably retire if he lost, seemed disappointed, and said he would appreciate if Gatti returned the favor he gave him with another rematch.

These guys respect each other as much as any two fighters who have ever stepped in the ring; (Ward kissed Gatti at the start of the 10th round), and it is abundantly clear that they truly like each other.

This is still probably the biggest money fight for these two guys out there so there is a good chance a third fight will be made. They deserve the money and the exposure they received with this fight. If they go at it a third time, the winner definitely deserves a shot a Kostya Tszyu. If they don't fight again then the winner of the latter fight, Gatti, still deserves the shot.

However, no matter what happens in the future, both fighters have cemented their names in boxing history together after these two fights, just like Graziano-Zale, Basilio-DeMarco, and several other fighters who have met in the square circle only to take each other to the next level.

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