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Diego Corrales Vs Arturo Gatti: A Matchup For The Ages

DCBy “The Commissioner” Alan J. Kindred

Boxing has many great and exciting fighters throughout its long history. Many great champions have passed on while many great champions haven’t even been born yet. This leaves the hardcore boxing fan with only his imagination to see impossible fights take place. We will never see fighters of bygone eras compete with the current era. Fighters come into their prime form in their time, they age, and then no longer can compete in the sport. Under current technologies we will never see Jack Johnson fight Larry Holmes prime versus prime, we can only ponder and wonder about it, in what is called the boxing hypothetical.

So readers, allow me to appeal to your science-fiction themed psyche for a moment. If there was of course time travel, or cloning technology that could resurrect a person with memory intact, it would then be possible to see all of the battles of the great gladiators, previously thought impossible. Can you imagine? Genetic Scientists thousands of years in the future have solved the genetic code. They can recover DNA from things besides blood and tissue. They can now recover excellent DNA samples from bone, hair, and even burnt ashes. They can reassemble and resurrect anyone with their entire memories intact, from specific moments in their lives. With these scientific technologies, these hypothetical boxing matches could actually occur for everyone to see. Who would you choose readers? Who would be the first match-up you would want to see. Here is one worth re-animation, if you ask me.

Two of the most exciting fighters from the 1990’s and 2000’s Diego Corrales and Arturo Gatti are guaranteed to provide some great action as they have several Fight of the Year awards between AGthem, and always provided great action for the fans. So for the first edition of Re-Animation Hypotheticals we will choose Diego “Chico” Corrales versus Arturo “Thunder” Gatti, at 130 lbs.

Corrales is re-animated from the March of 2000 night he fought Derrick Gainer. Corrales was 30-0, 24 KO’s, and getting ready to make the 2nd defense of his IBF Junior Lightweight world championship. At this time Corrales was fresh and a pure destroyer in his 130 pound weight class. On this night he would absolutely slaughter Derrick Gainer who was a world class contender who would go on to become a world champion. Corrales possessed a good jab, a strong right hand, and a deadly left hook. He could box on the outside or on the inside. He may have been an even better inside fighter, even though he was tall for his weight class. As he would show in future fights, Corrales also possessed exceptional heart, incredible recovery powers, and underrated guile and ring-generalship. His weaknesses were that he had an average chin, a propensity to toss his game plan, and defensive lapses.

Gatti is re-animated from the December of 1995 night he won the IBF Junior Lightweight world championship from Tracy Harris Patterson. Gatti was 23-1, 20 KO’s coming in to his first world title bout. At this time Gatti was a consummate boxer puncher who used his legs and jab more than just swinging for the fences with power. He was also still very hungry and disciplined and hadn’t began to party more than train. Gatti came into the fight with Patterson as a young and fresh challenger, ready to go to war, but also stuck to the game plan of boxing the powerful veteran champion Patterson. Gatti used his legs, speed, and angles to get the better of Patterson to win a close but unanimous decision. As can be seen from future bouts Gatti also possessed incredible heart and recovery powers. He also had a wicked left hook that could pull lost fights out of the fire when he was in trouble.

The fight itself will be scheduled for 15 rounds. The pre-fight stare down is an intense one as Corrales gets in Gatti’s face asking him if he is “ready to go through hell” to get this win. Corrales seems taller than the 3 inch height advantage he has on paper. Gatti smiles and says “bring it.” They got back to their corners and wait for the bell. The crowd can feel it in the air that this one is going to be special.

Round 1

The fight begins with Corrales probing his left jab and stepping forward as he tries to walk the smaller Gatti down. Gatti, also jabbing, is moving from side to side trying to find the right angle to attack. After a slow first minute, it is apparent that Gatti possesses the quicker feet, as he is actually landing his jab more effectively than Corrales is. Corrales lands a few jabs but they are grazing jabs, while Gatti pops Corrales’ head back with his jab while on a slight angle. Despite his height advantage Corrales has, both fighters have the same reach. Gatti continues to get in and out with superior footwork, now unloading combinations and flurries.

He underestimates Corrales’ hand speed however and gets nailed with a left hook to the chin after hanging out on the inside admiring his work a little too long, and is put down on his back side. He is shaken but not severely hurt, as he looks at his corner. It was more of a flash knockdown and he rises at the count of 5 and collects himself. With about a minute to go in the round Gatti regains his discipline, and remains on the outside to further clear his head, and jabs on angle when the opportunity presents itself. Corrales struggles to land much else on the moving Gatti as the round comes to a close. The judges debate whether to score the round 10-9 or 10-8 for Corrales, since Gatti was winning the round except for the flash knock down.

Round 2

The second round is similar to the first except Gatti doesn’t take as many risks. He stays on the outside moving on angle and not staying in front of Corrales. Corrales is missing a lot and getting countered in the early goings of the round. Gatti is mixing in a one two combination, and scoring well. Corrales appears to have some slight swelling underneath his left eye. Corrales is putting pressure on Gatti however, by cutting off the ring when he can and trying to land body shots here and there. The round wasn’t as eventful as the first, and the judges score the round 10-9 for Gatti due to better ring generalship and more punches landed.

Round 3

Gatti continues his game plan of avoiding Corrales’ power and working off angles, but it is apparent that he is no longer moving as much midway through the round. He is standing his ground now, but still getting the better of the action. Although Corrales is now landing some of his power also as they stand in the middle of the ring. Gatti is throwing combinations mostly to the head, while Corrales tries to get low and nail the body. With about 30 seconds to go in the round Corrales lands a thumping left hook to the body, and Gatti winces, but he fires back his own thunderous left hook to the temple of Corrales, and Corrales buckles and retreats to the ropes as both men are feeling the effects of combat. Gatti follows Corrales to the ropes and unloads combination after combination on Corrales, who is firing in return with his back on the ropes. In one of the most glorious and vicious exchanges ever seen, both men are literally landing at the same time as the other, their heads are snapping back, sweat is flying, and then blood is flying as the bell sounds. Gatti is cut under his right eye by a Corrales left uppercut as the round ends. Although Corrales gave nearly as good as he got, most judges score a 10-9 round for Gatti.

Round 4

Gatti was scolded by his corner for taking to many risks and is pleaded to by his corner to stick to the game plan of sticking, moving, and working off angles. Corrales’ corner tells him that Gatti is willing to go to war now, but to keep his back of the ropes and to watch out for Gatti’s left hook. As the bell sounds Corrales rushes to center ring and waves to Gatti to come on, as to say now the fight has really started. Gatti obliges him by smiling and leading in with a big left hook to Corrales’ body. They go to war in center ring on the inside, much to the chagrin of Gatti’s corner who is screaming at Gatti to box. Corrales is beginning to make an adjustment that is allowing him to land his jab and turn the momentum somewhat. Corrales will let lose some combinations on the inside, but then take a half step back to mid-range when he begins landing a counter power jab. He repeats this several times, and the game plan tossing Gatti doesn’t seem to have an answer for it. They fair close to even on inside exchanges but it is Corrales who clearly wins the round by slugging when he wants and jabbing when he wants. Gatti’s cut under his right eye is worsening, and he has swelling starting to form under both eyes. All judges give the round to Corrales 10-9.

Round 5

A now furious Gatti corner berates him asking him “are you trying to lose? BOX!!” Corrales corner tells him “Keep doing what you do baby” As the round begins Gatti is focused and determined to box, ignoring Corrales’ occasional machismo taunts. Gatti is moving on angle and working his jab to good effect, but he isn’t moving as well or as fast as he was in the early rounds. Corrales is eating jabs and an occasional one two, but is also landing very hard body shots here and there as he brings the pressure, both physical and mental. Gatti fights a great disciplined round and unloads with a quick surprise combination at the 10 second tapping before the bell. It is a murderous jab, right hand, left hook, right uppercut combination that sends Corrales reeling into the ropes, and the swelling under his right eye ripped open into a cut, as blood streams down his cheek. It is a bad cut. All judges score the round for Gatti, some even consider making it a 10-8 without a knock down.

Round 6

Gatti’s corner happily says “that’s what I’m talking about son” while Corrales’ states “you need to track him down now, cut the ring off, and blast his body, don’t let him be first, and if he is you finish stronger” The round begins with Gatti still trying to be disciplined and box, but Corrales seems to have a fire burning in his and is moving himself in a way where he is cutting off the ring much better than before. Either his body work has slowed Gatti down or his extra fire is allowing him to catch Gatti. After about 30 seconds of Gatti sticking and moving Corrales catches him in a corner and lands a corker of a right hand, stunning Gatti as his legs momentarily buckle, Gatti falls into the corner ropes but they don’t call it a knock down. Corrales then follows up with incredible non-stop combinations to the head and body as Gatti tries to cover up. Gatti is clearly hurt to the body as he leans to his right, when a Corrales straight right hand and left hook put him down, face first. The fight looks to be over as Gatti lay motionless for a few seconds, but after about 3 seconds he attempts to rise up, blood streaming from both eyes, he falls to the ground again. He looks at his corner at the count of 7 shaking his head as if saying he is ok, and jumps up quickly at the count of 9. The referee looks into Gatti’s eyes and asks him if he is ok. Gatti says “I’m great, let’s go.” With over half the round to go Corrales comes forward looking to finish Gatti off. Gatti tries to move but Corrales quickly gets him on the ropes again and flails away, Gatti holds and spins out, now having Corrales with his back on the ropes and lands a real hard left hook to the body. He tries to land another left hook but runs smack into a Corrales right uppercut and goes down again. He doesn’t appear as hurt as the first knockdown. He gets to his knee, looks to his corner, and gets up at the count of 8. With still over a minute to go Gatti is in survival mode, trying to move, trying to cover up, as Corrales dishes out one deadly combination after another. Corrales has Gatti reeling at the bell, but Gatti survived the round. The judges score it a dominate 10-7 round for Corrales.

Round 7

Gatti’s corner tries to revive and calm their fighter “Just breath son, I think he shot his wad anyway, he was slowing down at the end of the round, focus on defense this round, but watch for a chance to counter, he is getting reckless” while Corrales’ corner says “he is ready to go take your time and set it up, don’t be careless” The round starts with Corrales charging out jabbing and walking Gatti down forcing him to the ropes and then a corner. Corrales unloads hook after hook to the body as Gatti winces and bends forward. He lands uppercuts in combination as Gatti’s face is a swollen mess, the fight feels like it’s on the verge of being stopped. Gatti spins out from the corner and all of a sudden flurries on a seemingly gassed Corrales. Corrales smiles and waves Gatti on. Gatti digs to the body but the punch doesn’t seem to have a lot on it. Corrales catches Gatti with a left hook to the temple which wobbles him yet again and he back peddles. Corrales tries to pounce but runs into a very stiff jab that snaps his head back hard. Gatti circles out of danger and Corrales walks into another jab by Gatti. Corrales shakes his head as to say “I can’t believe this dude is still here.” With about 30 seconds to go in the round Gatti back peddles into a corner, just where Corrales wants him. Corrales trudges forward throwing a lead right hand meant to be thrown over Gatti’s jab, only Gatti didn’t throw the jab, he launched an “A grade lets save the fight from the depths of despair” type left hook that caught Corrales square on the chin as he was trying to launch his own right hand. Corrales goes down hard on his side, with his head bouncing on the canvas. He tries to get up quick, with a facial expression of terror, like he can’t believe he was caught with such a shot in a fight he was so close to winning, but falls backwards. It was reminiscent to Tyson-Berbick and Tszyu-Judah, although this time Corrales found his way to his feet before the count of 10. Corrales realizing he tried to get up to quick to a pause as he sat on his behind regaining his senses. He grabbed a nearby rope and pulled himself up at the count of nine. The action resumes as Gatti tries to take advantage of the opportunity with just seconds left in the round. Corrales ties Gatti up. When the referee breaks them Corrales launches an attack surprising Gatti, catching Gatti with a left hook and buckling him, but Gatti fires back as well and both men engage in a tremendous exchange of flurries as the bell sounds. Both men walk back to their corners, their faces are bloody masks, and the ring is starting to look like a blood bath. Fans and officials wonder just how long this fight can continue. Most judges scored the round 10-8 for Gatti because of the knockdown, even though Corrales battered him early. No one thinks this is going the distance anyway.

Round 8

Gatti comes out and tries to jump on a Corrales that might still be hurt. While Gatti has been battered, Corrales went down extremely hard Gatti feels this may be his only chance. The fight could be stopped on cuts for either fighter, or even the rare double stoppage draw as in Merqui Sosa-Charles Williams. Gatti decides it is do or die time and meets Corrales center ring to go to war, game plan be damned. All that is left after fatigue makes technique fail, is heart and will. In the other corner, Corrales feels the same way, he meets Gatti center ring to go to war. Both men are fatigued and battered after such a torrid pace, they meet in the center of the ring and toe the line. The begin trading on the inside, but Corrales is getting the better of it. His superior inside technique is showing as his catch and shoot, defense and offense begins to take over. Both men are landing huge punches however, and the referee’s shirt, which was blue to begin with, has begun to take on a purple hue from all the blood spatter. About midway through the round Corrales is getting the better of it so much that crowd senses Gatti finally wilting as his body shakes from every blow. He is forcing himself to stand up to the blows but he can’t take them forever. Finally, as Corrales leans inside to his left, he pushes off to make space and launches a zinger of his own left hook that catches Gatti on the temple, that short circuits him. He falls flat on his back, left leg twitching, and the referee waves it off without a count, because there was no way he is getting up. Winner by knockout in the 8th round of a classic war, Diego “Chico” Corrales!

After a minute or so Gatti is awakened and is sat on his stool. The doctors check him out and rule he is concussed but will be ok. They also check out Corrales and rule the winner is also concussed. Corrales and Gatti embrace as brothers after such a tremendous war, both expressing admiration, particularly for how much punishment the other took. Corrales stated “I can’t believe he took so much punishment and then was able to nearly knock me out. I thought he was done.” Gatti said “This guy here was like fighting a mirror, he was willing to die in the ring to get the victory, just like I am. Luckily it didn’t actually come to that, but you know what I mean. Tonight was his night, but I want a rematch. I think I can beat him, and I was very close in round 7 as you can see. I’m happy though, because I’m pretty certain we will win fight of the year every time we fight” Gatti laughs.

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