Authorities discovered 17-year-old Arturo Gatti Jr. dead on October 7, 2025, in Mexico. The teenage son of Canadian boxing legend Arturo Gatti was found at the Mexico City residence he shared with his mother, Amanda Rodrigues. Chuck Zito, who served as Arturo Gatti Sr.’s bodyguard and close friend, became the first to share the heartbreaking news on social media.
Tragic News Shocks Boxing World
In a now-deleted post on Instagram, Zito wrote: “It’s with a heavy heart that I have to say,…R.I.P. to 17-year-old Arturo Gatti Jr.,” accompanied by pictures of Gatti Jr. and his father. “My condolences to Arturo Gatti Seniors – Mom, Sisters, Brothers, and his daughter Sophia,” Zito added. Zito also revealed that Arturo Gatti Jr. was found hanging in the apartment in his post. The circumstances surrounding his death bore an eerie resemblance to his father’s passing in 2009 while vacationing in Brazil.
Moe Latif, Gatti Jr’s long-time coach, took to social media to confirm the devastating news. In a post, he wrote: “It is unfortunately not a rumor or a joke. Arturo is gone.” Mexican authorities have not yet released an official cause of death statement. Social media is flooded with tributes to Gatti Jr. with users sharing their condolences to his family and mourning the loss of such a promising young talent. Gatti Jr. was staying with his mother in Mexico when he was found dead as TVA Nouvelles reports.
Following in His Father’s Footsteps
Arturo Gatti Jr. sought to follow in his late father’s footsteps and began boxing at the young age of 6 years old. He trained extensively as an amateur fighter in the Montreal area throughout his childhood. Moe Latif, his longtime coach from Ring 83 Boxing Club, guided his development for years. The teenager had moved to Mexico City specifically to continue his training and preparation. He was reportedly on the verge of turning professional when tragedy struck. Latif was scheduled to travel to Mexico to continue coaching him in the coming week.
In a 2019 interview, Gatti Jr. expressed his desire for a career like his father’s. He noted that their boxing styles were very similar and he believed he shared the “same warrior spirit” as his father. The young fighter had posted training videos and photographs on social media, showing his dedication to the sport.
Boxing Community Mourns Young Talent
Tributes poured in from across the boxing world following the devastating news about Arturo Gatti’s son. Former WBC light heavyweight champion Jean Pascal shared a heartfelt tribute on the social media platform X. Pascal posted: “Sixteen years after losing his father, the world loses another Gatti.”
He described their shared fighting legacy and their untimely deaths as being too soon. The World Boxing Association released an official statement mourning the young boxer’s passing. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman stated that the global boxing community joined in prayer for the profound loss. DAZN Boxing also shared their deep sadness and expressed their condolences over the news on social media.
A Father’s Legacy in the Ring
Arturo Gatti Sr. was born on April 15, 1972, in Cassino, Italy. He moved to Montreal, Canada, with his family and later relocated to Jersey City, New Jersey. Gatti turned professional at age 19 in 1991 after a successful amateur career in boxing. He compiled an impressive amateur record of 86 wins and 14 losses in Canada. Gatti won two world championships in different weight classes during his 16-year career.
He held the IBF junior lightweight title from 1995 to 1998. Later, he captured the WBC super lightweight championship from 2004 to 2005. Gatti retired in 2007 with a professional record of 40 wins and 9 losses. 31 of his victories came by knockout, showcasing his devastating punching power and immense skill. The International Boxing Hall of Fame inducted Gatti in 2012, his first year of eligibility. He became the 10th Canadian boxer to receive this prestigious honor. His daughter Sofia Bella Gatti, from a previous relationship, accepted the honor on his behalf.
Thunder’s Hall of Fame Career
Arturo Gatti earned his first world title on December 15, 1995, against Tracy Harris Patterson. He defeated Patterson by unanimous decision to win the IBF junior lightweight championship. Gatti successfully defended this title 3 times before moving up to lightweight. He participated in Ring magazine’s Fight of the Year four separate times during his career. His 1997 victory over Gabriel Ruelas earned Fight of the Year honors.
The Robinson fights in 1998 also garnered critical acclaim for their intensity. Gatti moved up to junior welterweight and captured the vacant WBC title in 2004. He defeated Gianluca Branco by unanimous decision to win his second world championship. Known as “Thunder,” Gatti was famous for his all-action fighting style and iron chin. He fought elite opponents, including Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya. Although he lost to both superstars, Gatti never backed down from any challenge.
The Mysterious Death of Arturo Gatti Sr.
Arturo Gatti Sr. was found dead on July 11, 2009, at a rented apartment in Brazil. He was vacationing with his wife Amanda Rodrigues and their then 10-month-old son, Arturo Jr.. The boxer’s body was discovered in an apartment in Porto de Galinhas, Pernambuco. Brazilian authorities initially arrested Rodrigues and charged her with murder. Police believed Gatti had been strangled with the strap from his wife’s purse. Blood-stained evidence was found at the scene along with signs of head trauma. However, the initial autopsy concluded that Gatti died by suicide through hanging. Arturo Gatti Sr. was 37 at the time of his death.
Authorities only released Rodrigues after nearly 3 weeks in custody. Private investigators hired by Gatti’s manager disputed the suicide ruling. They released a 300-page report concluding Gatti had been murdered. A Quebec coroner’s report questioned the quality of the Brazilian investigation. The coroner stated that the circumstances of the death could not be determined with certainty. Many of Gatti’s friends, family members, and supporters never accepted that Gatti Sr. had committed suicide.
Growing Up Without a Father
Arturo Gatti Jr. was born in 2008 in Montreal, just 10 months before his father’s untimely passing. He never had the opportunity to know his legendary father beyond stories and videos. Amanda Rodrigues raised her son as a single mother, largely away from media attention. She supported his decision to pursue boxing despite the painful family history. Gatti Jr. often posted about his father on social media, expressing pride in his legacy.
As what would become his last post on Instagram, Gatti Jr. shared an AI-generated image of himself with his father. Both were depicted in boxing gear, standing side by side in the image. The caption on his final Instagram post read, “No one can stop what God has planned”. Gatti Jr. also had a half-sister named Sofia Bella Gatti from his father’s previous relationship. He met several boxing legends, including Mike Tyson, during his short life. Friends described him as determined to honor his father’s memory through his own boxing achievements.
An Eerie Parallel Between Father and Son
The nature and eerie similarities surrounding the deaths of both Gattis have sparked speculation and created theories. While some people accept Gatti Sr.’s death as a suicide, family members and friends of Gatti Sr. contest the conclusions. Chuck Zito publicly stated his belief that both deaths were suspicious. He claimed the father was murdered and the scene was staged to appear as a suicide. Zito suggested the son may have met “the same fate” as his father.
Both deaths initially appeared to involve suicide by hanging, 16 years apart. Kathy Duva, Gatti Sr.’s longtime promoter, has never accepted the suicide ruling. She emphasized that she is extremely doubtful Gatti Sr. would commit suicide. The tragedy has left the boxing community with lingering questions and deep sadness. The Gatti family has suffered two devastating losses that have profoundly impacted the sport.
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