Tributes have poured in after Arturo Gatti Jr, the son and namesake of a boxing legend, was found dead at the age of 17.
Jake Paul was among those to send his condolences after the teen was reportedly found hanged in a Mexico apartment.
Arturo ‘Thunder’ Gatti won world titles in two weight classes and cemented himself as one of boxing’s bravest and most exciting fighters. The news of Arturo Jr’s death broke just over 16 years since his father’s own mysterious passing.
The loss has shocked the boxing world, with YouTuber-turned-fighter Paul writing on social media: ‘RIP to Arturo Gatti Jr.
‘Very sad to see a young man with so much potential lose his life and do so like his legendary father. May they conquer together up above.’
Former world light-heavyweight champion Jean Pascal sent his own message to the Gatti family on Instagram.
The son of late boxing legend Arturo Gatti has died at the age of 17 after being found hanged
His father was one of the most iconic boxers of all time as well as a two-weight world champion
‘Sixteen years after losing his father, the world loses another Gatti,’ Pascal wrote. ‘The son of a legendary fighter, one legacy, both gone too soon. May they reunite in peace. My heart is heavy… life can be unfair sometimes.’
Pascal added: ‘I’m sending strength, love and prayers to his family. May he rest in power, like father a true warrior.
Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the WBC, said he was ‘so sad to learn’ of the passing of Gatti Jr.
‘May God provide mercy and heavenly healing during these difficult times to his family,’ Sulaiman wrote. ‘Rest in Peace.’
Chuck Zito, who was a close friend and bodyguard of Gatti Sr, was first to share the devastating news on Wednesday.
‘It’s with a heavy heart that I have to say,…. R.I.P. to 17-year-old ARTURO GATTI JR. who was found hanging in an apartment in Mexico yesterday,’ the American actor and stuntman wrote on Instagram.
‘The same way they found his Father dead in an apartment in Brazil 16 years ago… my condolences to Arturo Gatti Seniors – Mom, Sisters, Brothers, and his daughter Sophia.’
According to French-speaking Canadian network TVA Nouvelles, the teenager was in Mexico with his mother, Amanda Rodrigues, before his shock passing. He was reportedly found dead by a neighbor.
Arturo Jr, who was born 10 months before his dad’s mysterious death, passed away in Mexico
The teenager, who had a close relationship with Mike Tyson, was expected to one day turn pro
Arturo Jr was aiming to follow in his dad’s footsteps and carve out a boxing career of his own before his death. He first laced up a pair of gloves at the age of six and went on to enjoy several amateur bouts.
The young prodigy, who shared a close relationship with Mike Tyson, was expected to one day turn professional.
He was born only 10 months before his dad’s infamous death in Brazil, which is still a topic of fierce controversy 16 years later, as the Daily Mail detailed in a special report.
Arturo Sr, who shared arguably the greatest boxing trilogy of all time with great rival Micky Ward, was found dead while on vacation with his son and wife Amanda back in July 2009.
