Arturo Gatti Jr., the son of boxing icon Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, who was just an infant when his famous father committed suicide, has died, officials announced Wednesday.
He was 17 years old.
“The WBA and the boxing world mourn the passing of Arturo Gatti Jr.,” according to a statement from the World Boxing Association. “His journey had only just begun, but his spirit will live on, now reunited with his legendary father among the stars.”
The elder Gatti won the junior lightweight and super lightweight titles, leading to his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
The boxing champion died July 11, 2009, at a resort in northeastern Brazil, officials said.
The boxer’s wife, Gatti Jr.’s mother, Amanda Rodrigues, was initially arrested on suspicion of strangling her husband with the strap of a purse while he slept.
A judge released Rodrigues after a coroner’s report ruled it a suicide – although some of Gatti’s relatives did not accept that he could have died by his own hands.
Brazilian authorities said the boxer hanged himself with a bag strap that he tied to a stair column.
American boxer and social media influencer Jake Paul lamented the passing of Gatti Jr., saying he had “so much potential.”
“Very sad to see a young man with so much potential lose his life and do like his legendary father,” Paul said in a statement Wednesday. “May they conquer together up there.”
An aspiring boxer, Gatti Jr. posted a photo illustration on Instagram two weeks ago showing what he might have looked like alongside his late father.
The illustration depicted them both carrying trunks marked “Thunder”.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or live chat on 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
