Gatti Speaks!
October 5, 2005
By Dave Spencer, FightNews Canada
Arturo Gatti said Tuesday that he has signed an agreement yesterday to face Thomas Damgaard on January 28 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. Gatti was in Montreal to unveil plans for a twin tower 8-story condominium project that he has invested in with boyhood friend Tony Rizzo. Looking sharp in a navy blue double pinstriped suit and arriving in a Plymouth Crossfire, Gatti helped unveil plans of Chateau Jarry, and promised potential home-buyers that they would have him as a neighbor, pointing out a penthouse apartment he has earmarked for himself.
Gatti weighed in on a host of subjects including his fight with Mayweather, Roy Jones, and his move to welterweight.
On Floyd Mayweather
The best, the best there is right now. I trained hard, I did everything I could do, he was too quick, I couldn’t touch him. I fought the Michael Jordan of boxing, that doesn’t make Larry Bird a bad basketball player. I didn’t have to fight Mayweather, I wanted because of who I am and because I’m a competitior. I could have fought somebody else and still had my title. I’ve never watched the fight, it kind of disgusts me that fight, I was really upset, I worked very hard, I really thought I would have done much better. His speed was incredible.
On moving up to welterweight
I really had a problem with 140. The last couple of fights it’s been a problem. I’m 33 years old and I walk around at 170, 140 pounds is tough, 7 pounds will help a lot.
I think my speed at 147 will be better, I’ll have more meat on me. My punching power is not going anywhere I think it will help with me a lot with my speed at 147.
On how long he has left
I’m definitely winning a title at 147. Definitely I’ll be champion three times. That was my dream. If it comes true, I might move up to 154 for a title and then retire. I still feel I have another three or four years of boxing in me. Six or eight fights.
On Roy Jones
He got exposed when he lost to Tarver the first time. He never fought any opponents who wanted to beat him, everybody was afraid of him. For the first time Roy Jones showed his weakness and he can’t mix it up. He just tried to survive that fight, and he did….
On coming home
New Jersey is the place I made my home, I might be coming back though. I’ve been coming back a lot though. I usually come here for weekends, thing is when I come here I get into trouble and I gotta go back home.
On real-estate and making money
I don’t know the money or profit we’re going to make on this project, it’s really not for the money right now, it’s the first project, it’s just to establish something that will keep going. I always thought I could have made much more (from boxing) I am a little guy though and I have been well paid, I can’t complain though.
