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Photo © HBO
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This Saturday, on HBO, Arturo ‘Thunder’ Gatti, 39-7 (30), faces off against Thomas ‘Lionheart’ Damgaard, 37-0 (27), of Denmark. Gatti is just coming off a punishing six round stoppage loss to Floyd Mayweather Jr., and one really has to question how much he has left in the tank. This fight pits two high volume sluggers against each other, with the winner probably getting a crack at current welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir. This fight will either be the beginning of Gatti’s last hurrah, or serve as the exiting act of his long career.
All boxing fans know Gatti, and most all boxing fans love Gatti as a fighter. His balls to the wall style of fighting has seen him engage in several pitched battles, most notably his trilogy with Micky Ward. Gatti has tried to become more of a boxer puncher over the last few years, as seen in his brief outing against Leonard Dorin, and his fights with Gianluca Branco and Jesse James Leija. His last fight was against the super talented Floyd Mayweather Jr. The Pretty Boy out boxed and battered Gatti en route to a six round stoppage in a fight that was horribly one sided. It seemed as if Gatti, despite his will known toughness, was just unable to pull the trigger in that fight. Gatti’s strategy against Damgaard should be to try and use his new found boxing skills. Damgaard has a very deep well of energy, and can crack as good as any welter. It is with this in mind that Gatti should try and use the same style he used in his fights with Leija and Branco. Essentially using the jab to open up for his straight, and going to the body to wear down his opponent.
Damgaard is unknown to most Americans, and I honestly needed to get the opinion of a trusted friend and trainer who has seen Damgaard in action several times to get a feel for the man. Damgaard, despite only fighting in Denmark, is not a bad fighter; in fact far from it. Damgaard is quite good, and mixes in skill with an ability to throw a lot of leather. Damgaard is not young, and at 34 this will probably be his last shot at a world title. That being said Thomas probably does not have the extreme mileage on him that Gatti does. Thomas is also naturally a bigger man then Arturo, and this might indicate that, despite a comparable number of wins by knockout, that Damgaard might have the edge in power. Damgaard should use his southpaw stance, and high punch out put to keep Gatti off balance and working hard. Damgaard probably has enough power to keep Gatti honest, and should use that to try and keep Gatti on the defensive.
Gatti versus Damgaard should be a good fight, both men show up to fight, and both have the ability to throw punches in bunches. That being said I see a minor upset here, and think Thomas Damgaard will come away with the win. Gatti has a lot of miles on his odometer, and is not a natural welterweight. Damgaard also seems to step it up when he fights better competition, as evidenced by his blow outs of Rodney Jones, Freddy Rojas, Wilfredo Ruiz, Oscar Benavides Munoz and Rocky Martinez. I see this fight being an entertaining one, but eventually Damgaard’s size and probable power advantage, as well as his fresher body should give the Dane the edge. Give me Damgaard by decision or late stoppage.
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© Copyright / All Rights reserved: Doghouse Boxing 1998-2006
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By Julian Kasdin (January 27, 2006) 
