The Thunder Rolls - RIP Arturo Gatti

It came a some very shocking news that yet another celebrity has died and in terms of the sports scene the deaths have a lot of intrigue. It was bad and shocking when Farrah, Billy Mays and MJ but all seemed to die because of health. Arturo "Thunder" Gatti and Steve McNair are sports stars who have been involved in some foul play. Both were know for being warriors in their respective sports and both were involved with young women who may have been involved in their deaths. McNair looked to be murdered by his 20yr old girlfriend (who apparently then turned that gun on herself in a murder suicide). Gatti's wife 23 is being held after there were inconsistencies in her story including how she and he young child were in the hotel room with Gatti for 10 hours and didn't notice that he was already dead. Thankfully the couples young son was not harmed and has been put in the custody of Gatti's wife's sister. It is sad that these two young men have been taken out at such young ages.

It has been reported that Gatti may have been strangled by a purse strap and had a noticeable trauma to the head. A family friend has stated that he knew there were issues between the two and the couple may have been close to separating. Details are still coming but it is looking like there is a lot foul play in sports deaths lately.

Gatti was known not for his technical boxing style but for being a warrior in the ring. He was a boxer who would stand in and take a beating and take hit after hit. He would have been glad to have taken 10 shots to the head or more just for the chance to maybe get one in. The Boxer who was raised in Montreal was known and revered in both his hometown as well as his adopted home in New Jersey. There was always a home court advantage anytime there was a fight in Atlantic City, he was their boy.

Never one to shy away from a fight he was most known for putting his Granite like chin out there in an epic trilogy versus Micky Ward. That branded him as one of the most exciting fighters of his generation. He retired in 2007 with a record of 40-9 with 31 KO.

There are still many questions that need to be answered but it is clear that there is more to this storey and it will be interesting to see what comes out over the next little while.

Around The Horn

Carl Crawford became only the 4th player in the modern era to steal 6 bases in one game tying him with Eddie Collins, Otis Nixon, and Eric Young. He stated after the game had he known that he had tied a record that he probably would have stolen 1 more. "I probably would have broken it if I knew. I’d have definitely tried," he added. "I didn’t even try. I don’t know if that will ever happen again." Crawford said.
Kind of surprised that Ricky Henderson’s name isn’t’ on this list. You would have to be in the zone to nab 6 in one game and Crawford dis also go 4-4 as well. I do have a theory on how Otis Nixon got his 6...the pitcher was probably reluctant to check over on him as he is far form the most attractive ballplayer. A great talent for sure but a mug that could stop a train.

The Atlanta Hawks beat the Miami Heat in Game 7 to win their first round NBA playoff series.
For the first time I can actually wear my Hawks sweatshirt and not feel ashamed. Sure I only got it because it was on sale but even still it just never felt right.
The fight of the year between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton ended in the destruction of Hatton. The entire took less than six minutes of actual action.
This is why I find it hard to be a boxing or MMA fan the fight could be an hour or a mere 30 seconds. If you are going to have to pay $50+ for these Pay Per View Events and only have a 6 minute main event you can’t help but feel cheated. Fights on the playground last longer then some of these matches.

The Carolina Hurricanes handed Boston its first playoff loss pretty much because of goalie Cam Ward.
This kid stood on his head and it was as if he were channeling Patrick Roy from the 1993 playoffs. Sure Eric Staal played an exceptional game but it was Ward who looked like an all world player...I think somebody is looking for a chance to play at the Olympics next year

Top-ranked Rafael Nadal captured his record fourth Rome Masters title - on clay.
With the French Open only 3 weeks away It is hard to imagine that anyone will be able to beat him in 3 times in any 1 match, heck he might not lose 3 sets in the entire tournament. Looks like Roger Federer may have to wait a little longer to try and catch up to Pete Samparas’ record This guy is just on another level and it seems like only injury will slow him down right now

Hitting The Golden Trail

The Golden Boy has decided to trade in the gloves and the robe for a business suit. Oscar De La Hoya has announced his retirement from professional boxing. Now it may be too early to truly write him off. not very often is it that a boxer who retires actually does retire the first time. Retiring as a boxer is like knocking over a drink machine, you have to rock it and hit it a few times before it actually topples over.

De La Hoya carried a sport for the better part of a decade. In a time when boxing didn’t have as strong a field in the Heavyweight Division Oscar was always a big draw no matter the opponent. He is almost as well known for his miscues rather then his triumphs which is too bad. He is often criticised for being more Hollywood then prize fighter, which probably isn’t fair but that is the perception.

When he won the Gold Medal Barcelona Olympic Games he made himself into a household name and became one of the most popular and best drawing name on many Pay Per Views. De La Hoya was Ring Magazine’s "Fighter of the Year" in 1995 and Ring Magazine’s top-rated Pound for Pound fighter in the world in 1997.

Before his announcement he founded Golden Boy Promotions, Inc. which has become a pretty successful combat sport promotional firm and should allow him to both keep close with the sport that he loves without putting himself at any more risk of a major injury or getting his face caved in.

I was never a huge boxing fan but when De La Hoya was fighting I would take notice, I admit it may be partially due to his pop culture celebrity but also respected him as a champion fighter. Here's to hoping that he follows the lead of Lennox Lewis (so far) and stays away.