Arturo Gatti Dead; Wife Accused Of Killing Him

SAO PAULO — Brazilian authorities detained the wife of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti and formally accused her Sunday of killing him at a posh seaside tourist resort in Brazil.

Police said 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues was taken into custody after contradictions in her interrogation and presented a formal accusation against her. Prosecutors will later decide whether she will be charged.

Rodrigues, who denies any involvement in her husband's death, was the first to find the slain boxer's body early Saturday inside the vacation apartment they were renting at the Porto de Galinhas resort in northeastern Brazil, police said.

The former junior welterweight champion was apparently strangled with the strap of a purse, which was found at the scene with blood stains, said Milena Saraiva, a spokeswoman for the Pernambuco state civil police. She told The Associated Press that the Canadian also sustained a head injury.

Police said Rodrigues, a Brazilian, could not explain how she spent nearly 10 hours inside the residence without noticing that Gatti was already dead.

Rodrigues told police she had a fight with Gatti after dinner Friday night and he pushed her to the ground during the altercation, causing her to sustain minor injuries to her elbow and chin. She told authorities Gatti was drunk and that a third party likely committed the crime after he went to the apartment by himself.

Witnesses had reported to police that the couple fought and that Gatti was drunk.

Authorities were told the couple was extremely jealous of each other and that Gatti constantly complained about her clothing when she traveled to Brazil, Saraiva said.

Acelino "Popo" Freitas, a four-time world champion Brazilian boxer, told Globo TV's Web site on Saturday that he was a close friend of Gatti and his wife and that he "knew they were having some sort of problem and were about to separate."

They had planned to spend one month in Brazil on vacation.

The couple's 1-year-old son, who was unhurt, was handed to Rodrigues' sister, Saraiva said.

The 37-year-old Gatti, whose epic trilogy with Micky Ward branded him one of the most exciting fighters of his generation, retired in 2007 with a career record of 40-9 and 31 knockouts.

Known for his straightforward punching and granite-like chin, Gatti captured the super featherweight title in 1995, when he defeated Tracy Harris Patterson in Atlantic City, N.J. He won the junior welterweight title in 2004.

Comments

[ron31707]

Every Arturo Gatti fight was truly amazing, win or lose, he put everything on the line. He had the heart of a lion. A true boxing legend, he will be greatly missed. A very sad time for boxing fans everywhere.

[Kelly99]

Arturo Gatti was the only boxer I watch live EVERYTIME. I had began to fall out of love for boxing in the mid 90's until 1995. I just could not stand to miss a fight and catch it the next day or God forbid the next week! I will remember him by the way he held himself in the ring, whether it be a win or loss. His passion, only comparing to that of Ted Williams with baseball, would radiate through the TV with every punch, jab or KO. I will truly miss the excitement of watching a boxing legend, gone way too soon for our generation and the generations to come.

[LinLin16]

it's a tragedy. but i'm wandering how can a woman strangle a boxer to death. drunk men are very aggressive and strong. he would have had to have been unconscious. regardless, it's absolutely terrible for that poor little baby that's been left behind. just terrible.

[AntiSheep13]

Drunk men? I've seen plenty of women act very aggressive and strong while being under the influence as well. I think it's a human thing and not just a man thing.

[dondon7777]

What a terrible loss. He was a true warrior and gladiator in the ring. He didn't deserve to go out like this. RIP Arturo!!

[jeremyemilio]

There was just no one in the fight game that was more exciting to watch. He'll be missed.

[AntiSheep13]

Manny Pacquiao is currently one of the most exciting boxers to watch, of all time. Arturo was definitely a true Legend and throw back to the Carmen Basilio and Jake LaMotta days. Thunder Gatti was the epitome of how to "leave it all in the ring". R.I.P. Champ

[grannysharp]

What a sad loss. Loved watching him fight and his fight with Mickey Ward the best ever!!!! He had the heart of a Lion and will be missed

[Paul]

Exactly.

[Witkacy]

As huge a loss as that of Steve McNair. When I first read the news story yesterday, I couldn't believe it.

The Gatti/Ward fights are for the ages. What can you say - a great fighter R.I.P.

[kappa08]

This hits my family hard....Arturo or as only my cousin called him"Arthur" was part of the family. The sweetest guy you ever met. He would do anything for anybody.
He kind of fell into the sport. It was all about his older brother Joe until everybody noticed the quiet kid in the corner with the heart of a lion.
I understand that this is not the place for a eulogy and everybody has an "opinion"(god only knows I do) about the sport and the drama that surrounds the fight game. But at the end of the day there was a REASON people loved this man. It was his heart both in and out of the ring.

.... Unfortunately there are no happy endings in boxing.

[fya]

BELIEVE IT. HE HAD HEART. That's why we loved him as a fighter. He put it all out there in the ring. I was glad that he retired. He had so many brutal battles. I wanted him to enjoy his life, family and friends. All of us boxing fans were so hurt when we heard the news. But the memories we have of him brings us so much happiness. He will be greatly missed. We love you Arturo - sincerely, your fan.

[fya]

Arturo, I have watched all of your fights and you always had heart. You gave us boxing fans some of the most memorable fights in boxing history. You will be missed. You were a great boxer. R.I.P. Your children are in my prayers.

[fallout4U]

Great fighter, tough as nails......RIP Arturo

[ThinkCreeps]

The post-mortem evidence seems to suggest otherwise

[MrSanFran]

One of the reports is claiming that the wife said they had an argument and that he pushed her down to the ground. Arturo was drunk. Another had him being stabbed in the back of the head. That would explain how he was strangled and unable to resist. All conjecture at this point, although she has been arrested and charged. I have been sober for 21 years and remember all the fights with my first wife while I was drinking. Thank god I matured, got a new wife, and am living happily ever after for the last 18 years. Heavy drinking always leads to problems in my book (and as I recall a lot of great times, the ones that I can remember). Ultimately you need to give up the booze if it is a big part of your life or it will get you later on.

[linton]

Good for you!!

[jojojo]

The media will find a way to blame him, and she'll get off. Open season on men continues.

[hidflect]

Sounds like a case for Adrian Monk...

[TooLooze]

I'm sorry to hear of Gatti's death. He was a champion's champion. Sad to hear that his personal life was so tragic.

[SonyaInTx]

Arturo has a history of drug/alcohol abuse and domestic abuse. I guess his wife had enough.

What ever happened to divorce??

[slaxx]

what's up with the women, lately?

to be fair, this is just as common among men.