by Jeremy "Fasttalker" Bjornberg - 06/28/2005
Floyd Mayweather Jr. put an absolute clinic on the defenseless Arturo Gatti. Gatti resorted back to his early days of being hit with every punch thrown, but - unlike his younger years -- rarely fought back and did not land a meaningful punch all night. Gatti only let his right hand go a few times instead choosing to stand in front of the faster fighter and eat punch after punch. As usual Doc's was right on the money, as they found the underdog play, which was +165 for Floyd to knock Gatti out.
Floyd is probably the best fighter in the world but beating Gatti doesn't really accomplish that. Gatti was tailor made for Floyd and the one-sided result was obvious. Gatti was dropped in round one when he stupidly looked away from Floyd, then he was able to stay on his feet while he was tattooed thru the first six rounds. After a half dozen rounds, Gatti went back to the corner and for the first time in his career and he looked as if he was wanted to or was going to quit. Luckily for him, his trainer Buddy McGirt had seen enough and stopped the fight. Gatti now wants to move to welterweight but I don't think he has the skill or punch to do any damage there. As of now I would officially say Gatti is done as a contender.
Floyd now will look to fight Ricky Hatton or maybe move up to welterweight himself. It is doubtful Hatton would leave England and Floyd knows better than to go there and risk the same obstacles that Kostya Tszyu did.
On the undercard top 140-pound contender and WBO champ Vivian Harris came in against Carlos Maussa with one of the most ignorant plans I have ever seen. Coming in against a basic brawler like Maussa, Harris decided to load up in round one and by the end of the round he was sucking air and dead tired. Harris then fought in spurts until Maussa knocked him out on a vicious left hook. Harris is now done as a top fighter and Manny Steward must also take some of the blame. Harris seemed to be over-trained.
There isn't too much to be excited about until July 14 when 154 pound king Kassim Ouma defends against Roman Karmazin. The next day hot prospect Jason Litzau gets a look on ESPN2 and July 16 Jermain Taylor tries to take down legend Bernard Hopkins. Doc's has been investigating this fight for two months already and, like Mayweather vs. Gatti, Doc's will no doubt find the best possible play.
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