DOES ARTURO GATTI REALLY WANT A FIGHT WITH KOSTYA TSZYU? By Darren Yates from Down Under

A couple of weeks ago I read Danny Serratelli's article on BraggingRightsCorner.com concerning the upcoming bout between Gianluca Branco and Arturo Gatti. Some comments raised by Arturo Gatti concerning Kostya Tszyu really made my blood boil! I also remember some comments he made recently in an interview in KO magazine.

Before I talk about that, let me say I am quite pleased that Gatti and Branco are fighting each other. Why, because Branco certainly did not earn the right to fight Tszyu and although he is undefeated, in my opinion, the only reason Branco is so highly rated is because the WBC vice president is an Italian gent who is very friendly with Branco's manager... Also Branco refused to take part in an elimination bout with Ricky Hatton when approached by Frank Warren (Hatton's promoter) and Branco's contacts in the WBC looked after him to make sure that Branco did not have to face Hatton. In reality, Branco should have fought Oktay Urkal in an elimination bout a few years ago, but the WBC is so inconsistent, as Tszyu had to fight several eliminators to win the WBC 140 pound title (Ruelas, Hurtado & Gonzalez) and yet the WBC forced Tszyu to fight Chavez & Urkal without participating in an elimination process and then try to do the same against Branco.

Arturo Gatti claims that Tszyu is afraid to fight himself and Branco. I nearly laughed myself to death reading this after my initial anger concerning this statement. The only thing Tszyu is afraid of concerning Branco is giving an unproven and relatively undeserving contender a shot at the undisputed title, bad pay per view sales and further criticism from his American critics. Does anyone remember the Frenchman who was the WBC's number one contender who ended up fighting Bernard Hopkins? Perhaps I should have said ran from Bernard Hopkins. What resulted was a disgrace to paying boxing fans.

I give Arturo Gatti all the respect in the world concerning his courage and the entertainment value that he provides to his fans (I include myself in this category) with his fights; it is something lacking in the sport these days. Gatti's bouts with Micky Ward were nothing short of sensational. Gatti's entertainment value should bring a lot to the table when negotiating a fight with almost anyone. However, these attributes do not make Gatti the best fighter at 140 pounds, not by a long shot. Gatti has lost over the last few years to Ivan Robinson twice & Micky Ward once, these guys are good fighters but they are a LONG WAY from being the best in their respective divisions. Kostya Tszyu has faced better opposition in his career than Gatti has (with the exception of Oscar de la Hoya) and Tszyu has BEATEN better fighters than Gatti! I have Gatti ranked at being perhaps the 5th or 6th best fighter at 140 pounds with the following fighters likely to beat him:

1.) Kostya Tszyu
2.) Sharmba Mitchell
3.) Zab Judah
4.) Ricky Hatton
5.) Miguel Cotto

I am very glad Arturo Gatti is fighting Branco because his name can make this fight into an event, compared to just another dull mandatory defence for Tszyu. I expect Gatti will beat Branco with a spectacular KO. If this happens, HBO and everybody else will say he destroyed a man Tszyu was afraid to fight. Don't believe the propaganda! If Gatti wins this bout and I hope he does, all he will be in reality is the WBC's number one contender to Kostya Tszyu's undisputed belt! Just like Vivian Harris is the WBA's No.1 contender at 140 pounds. Some may call me biased but I view a fellow countryman in the same fashion... Anthony Mundine is just the WBA's super middleweight No.1 contender, Sven Ottke is the true champ of the super middleweights.

I personally am split on my view concerning the WBA's super champ and the WBC's Champion Emeritus status that has recently come into the boxing world. On one hand it erodes the value of the legitimate Champions in the respective divisions and is an obvious way for the sanctioning bodies to squeeze more sanctioning fees into their organizations. On the other hand, it allows (allegedly) a unified champ more flexibility concerning mandatory defences and hopefully will weed out undeserving mandatory challengers to the world champions. The IBF has the correct idea concerning elimination bouts for mandatory title shots, the one thing that boxing needs is more consistency in the implementation of its rules and less back room deals (wishful thinking I know). I really hope this combined with Showtime's new approach concerning not contracting fighters to long term deals will result in fighters fighting more often and against better opposition.

I know the HBO and his handlers are protecting Arturo Gatti, as Kostya Tszyu views Gatti as his most desirable opponent. Gatti could have fought Tszyu in Melbourne instead of Leija, but I guess the Ward bouts offered more money for less risk, I can't disrespect Gatti for taking this option, but to say Tszyu would not fight you is just plain wrong, Arturo you may have been misinformed by the people who look after your career. No disrespect either to Micky Ward, he is tough but limited compared to Tszyu. I respect Leija for traveling to Australia (no respect for his quitting on his stool) to fight Tszyu and the same for Sharmba Mitchell (whom I have been critical of in the past) for accepting the fight with Tszyu in Russia in the middle of their winter too!

Mr. Gatti, I question how hungry you are to win a GENUINE world title at 140 pounds? I know if you beat Branco HBO will tart your title up to be more than what it is and pretend Tszyu does not exist because he is a Showtime fighter!

Arturo Gatti if you are to be taken seriously as a genuine contender at 140 pounds when you beat Gianluca Branco (I believe you will win this bout) you should demand the mandatory shot at Tszyu's 140 pound undisputed title. I agree that you should share whatever purse is placed on the table 50/50 as Tszyu has the points on the board and is the man to beat at 140 pounds and you put bums on seats! If the WBC can order Chavez to get 50% of the purse in his bout with Tszyu then they should order the same for you!

If you are not hungry Mr. Gatti, then continue the way you are with HBO providing you a steady stream of beatable fighters for you to feast upon until they decide to sacrifice you to Floyd Mayweather Jnr, Shane Mosley or Ricardo Mayorga. If the money is more important to you Arturo then take this path! Just cut out the crap you are saying about Tszyu and how scared he is to fight you! Stand up to your handlers and demand they negotiate a bout with Tszyu if that is what you really want. I know Kostya and his team want this fight with you!

To be fair, I agree with a lot of people, Kostya Tszyu should be fighting more often than he does. Even before his ankle injury occurred he should have been in negotiations for a June fight this year. A big message here to Kostya Tszyu, you have had plenty of rest over the last two years, it is now time for you to give your fans what they want, more fights. You need to fight twice more in 2004 after the Mitchell bout. Fights with Mr. Gatti & Mr. Hatton are at the top of my wish list provided Tszyu beats Sharmba Mitchell (I believe he can). I think a bout with Hatton is more likely as I think Gatti will continue to hide behind HBO and his handlers who know that Gatti is no match for Tszyu and if Arturo disagrees with my opinion, prove me wrong and get the fight with Tszyu signed after your respective bouts!

Darren Yates

One other note, if Vivian Harris goes ahead with his bout against Oktay Urkal in January, don't be surprised if he ends up on the wrong end of a decision if the bout is held in Germany. Urkal is tough and awkward and if he is shape will be tough to beat on home soil. Also his promoters will do just about anything to make sure their fighter does not lose a decision, Urkal fought Tszyu for 5 rounds with a broken jaw so he won't be easy to knock out. A tough task ahead for Vivian, whom I feel only just scraped past M'Baye in his last bout.

11-25-03

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