The one thing that worries me about this fight, and what I hope does not happen is that a headbutt occurs. It's no coincidence that both fighters employ Joe Souza, who is considered to be the best cutman in the fight game. Souza chose to be in Leija's corner of, because they live near each other in Texas. With Leija and Gatti you have two of the gutsiest and toughest fighters in the world, but you also have the two fighters most likely to get cut in a fight. Numerous wars have taken a toll on scar tissue on their faces, and headbutts have been somewhat common in their fights, especially Leija's.

     Leija has had  fights stopped due to headbutts on three previous occasions. Most recently against little known Marteze Logan, but also in high profile fights against Micky Ward and Hector Camacho Jr. He has been cut on numerous occasions, as was the case in his second fight with Azumah Nelson, where the fight had to be stopped due to Leija's cuts. As for Gatti, we all know his history of cuts. Fight fans seemed to be surprised when Gatti doesn't get cut in a fight.

     A couple of years ago, Leija was scheduled to fight Micky Ward. That fight was early in the year also, and was being hyped as a potential fight of the year candidate, like this one. Instead the fight went to scorecards early, because Leija suffered a cut from what was said to be a headbutt, although replays show it was a punch. Leija ended up winning the decision, but a fight which had so much potential ended up being stopped early because of cuts. I fear this could happen again with Gatti and Leija, and I can only hope the referee takes into consideration that these two cut easily, and lets them fight, but you never know.

    I don't mean to be a buzz kill, because this fight could be a great fight. When I heard about the fight I was excited about it. These are two fighters who many people had given up on, and said they were beyond their best years. But, both have turned it around. In Leija's last fight, people were prepared for the young 20 year old Panchito Bojado to retire Leija. But, Leija showed he has some gas left in the tank, as he took the youngster to school, and showed he still is a tough fight for anyone.

    Ever since Arturo Gatti lost to Oscar de la Hoya, people readily said that all of his past wars had finally gotten to him. But, Gatti regrouped and with the help of Buddy McGirt has returned to the spotlight as one of Boxing's top tickets. Gatti has even won his second world title, and will be making his second defense of it when he faces Leija on Saturday. Gatti has big plans if he can beat Leija, because the 140 pound division is loaded, and he knows that he is probably the top draw in the division. A potential fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.  looms ahead, and Arturo would love to get a shot at the undisputed title against Kostya Tszyu. But, Gatti should not look past Leija.

    A lot of oddsmakers have Gatti as a  big favorite, I think the odds are a little too big. Gatti has looked impressive since joining Buddy McGirt, because he has boxed more often, and chilled out on the brawling. But, Leija is a pretty skilled boxer himself, as he showed against Bojado. Remember also that Leija was neck and neck with Kostya Tszyu until the fight had to be halted because Leija suffered a ruptured eardrum. I think Gatti should be favored, but not by much. If headbutts and cuts stay out of the picture, you have two skilled boxers in the ring who have pretty much seen everything inside the squared circle. If the fight turns into a brawl, then you would have to favor Gatti, because of his punching power. But, if Leija makes it his fight, it could be very close. Hopefully cuts, or headbutts will not get in the way of this fight, and we get the fight that we all are hoping for.

1-22-2005