Brick City Boxing

Note-There will be another mass and friends and fans of Arturo “Thunder” Gatti are invited to attend a memorial Mass that will be held in his honor on Thursday evening, July 30th at 7 p.m. St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic in Jersey City.

A memorial mass was held today for Arturo Gatti in Jersey City at St. Nick’s Church. It was a very intimate farewell to Jersey City's favorite son. When the mass concluded several people spoke about Arturo, mostly about how he was all heart both inside and outside of the ring. His 3-year old daughter Sophia showed that she inherited some of papa's determination as she sung the alphabet song while her mother Erica, was recalling some fond memories of her time with Arturo. Sophia didn't get through the first couple times, but made sure she had the opportunity to do the entire alaphabet and song. She made her papa proud becasue she insisted on finishing which brought many in the church to tears. She answered her mother that her papa was in the clouds and she wanted to sing with him.

Several people spoke at the conclusion of mass including, Jersey City Mayor Jerimiah Healy and Councilman Bill Gauhan who is a big boxing fan. Mario Costa, the owner of the Ringside read a letter from Mike Tyson about Arturo and also shared some personal stories. Arturo's big brother Joe thanked everyone for coming. A speaker of note was photographer/friend Tommy Casino. He remembered that no one could touch Arturo early in his pro career. He was a very slick boxer when he wanted to be and Tom recalled asking him why he would bang so much as his career progressed. Arturo told him that he fought for the people and that is what they come to see. People always speak of Arturo as a warrior with a heart as big as you can have one, but Casino was correct in pointing out how good of a boxer Arturo was.

New Jersey Hall of Fame president Henry Hascup also spoke about Arturo and all of amazing accomplishments. He explained that no fighter ever won "NJ Fighter of the Year" honors more than twice, Arturo won it 6 times. The award will now bear Arturo's name and Arturo will be inducted into the NJ Hall of Fame in November. Like many of the speakers said, there are no words that can do justice to how much Arturo meant to his family, friends, and fans.