Philadelphia’s Ivan Robinson is the one man to have ever overwhelmed Arturo Gatti twice. Robinson, who decisioned “Thunder” in August of 1998, and once more in December of the identical yr, fought quite a few different large names and good fighters (Emanuel Augustus, Phillip Vacation, Angel Manfredy, Jesse James Leija, and a pale Julio Cesar Chavez) however it’s the two ten spherical battles with Gatti that Robinson is most pleased with.
Robinson, a former IBF light-weight title challenger when he fought Gatti, with “Mighty” having moved as much as 140 for what had been the 2 greatest fights of his profession, says at the moment that Gatti “made it private” forward of the primary struggle. Stung by Gatti’s suggestion that he couldn’t punch, Robinson, 25-2 on the time, skilled tougher than ever earlier than, and when the struggle started on the evening of August 22 of ’98, he jumped proper on Gatti, who was 29-2.
What actually set Robinson off earlier than that first Gatti struggle?
The struggle, received by Robinson by way of break up determination, was action-packed, and 53 yr outdated Robinson was just lately sort sufficient to recollect it when talking with me:
“There was a complete lot that lead as much as that struggle. To begin with, Gatti picked me for the struggle, and for that I’m grateful, however they actually didn’t count on me to win, Important Occasions. In fact I used to be the higher boxer out of us each, and he was the higher slugger and the higher puncher. Previous to the struggle, in camp, I used to be on the brink of field, field, field. However on the press convention in New York, Gatti mentioned he was gonna beat me, he was gonna knock me out. He additionally mentioned that ‘you’ll be able to’t deliver knives to a gunfight.’ I requested my pal what Gatti meant. My pal, he informed me that Gatti meant I couldn’t punch laborious, that I wasn’t gonna knock him out, I used to be solely gonna lower him up perhaps, and that he was gonna knock me out. That caught with me the final two-and-a-half weeks of camp. All I needed to do was put my palms on Gatti and beat him up. That’s why I modified ways.”
Q: You fought offended?
“Yeah, I used to be nonetheless mad. I used to be within the dressing room, and that’s one of the best I ever warmed up for any struggle. HBO walked me out, and I informed my group I used to be going out to knock Gatti out. I mentioned I wasn’t going to field, I used to be going to knock him out! My group had been like, “No!” I ran to the ring and I needed to punish him. I threw one thing like 112 punches that first spherical. Me and Gatti had been pals, we each labored Pernell Whitaker’s camp as he obtained prepared for Oscar De La Hoya. However the evening of the struggle, I needed to punish him. And I did. Everyone knew I used to be a terrific fighter, however the Gatti struggle was gonna both make me or break me. I knew Gatti couldn’t beat me. I did make the struggle nearer than it might have been, and I made it thrilling.”
That tenth spherical — did it change every part?
Q: Have been you ever harm within the struggle?
“Effectively, I’m a throwback fighter. I cherished being in a struggle like that with Gatti! I by no means let any of his pictures get to me. That’s why I fought him once more a second time. Actually, the primary struggle, I by no means actually obtained hit – I used to be doing all of the punching. He did catch me with a terrific shot within the tenth spherical, a punch I’ll keep in mind till I cross away. The knockdown (in spherical 4) was me simply getting caught by a quick punch, however I used to be fantastic. As for the second struggle, that was what the primary struggle ought to have been [with me boxing him]. On the finish of the day, I’m proud that I gave you a struggle that you just nonetheless keep in mind and can all the time keep in mind, which was the primary struggle. The second struggle, I actually beat him simple and that’s once I started making some good cash. I inform you, they actually begged me to take that second struggle. I took it as a result of I already knew I’d beat him. I went proper again to the fitness center on Monday [after the first fight.]”
Q: The tenth spherical of the primary struggle, had been you badly surprised or had been you enjoying possum some?
“(laughs). I used to be in nice form. I knew I needed to be at my finest and I used to be. I used to be on the world stage and that was my large likelihood to point out the world who I used to be. Everyone already knew who Arturo Gatti was. Something that got here my means, I used to be prepared to take it if I needed to. Gatti was one of many hardest fights I ever had, however Emanuel Augustus was one thing horrible, or one thing particular.”
Q: What’s it that makes you guys from Philadelphia so robust?
“Effectively, that’s what we’re manufactured from. It’s a God-given reward. Plus, I lived the life. I by no means gained a lot weight between fights, my dad didn’t play that means. I used to be by no means greater than 5 kilos above my combating weight. I skilled ever day other than Sundays. I lived close to Meldrick Taylor, we each had quick palms (laughs). Once I prepare fighters at the moment, the very first thing they ask me, is, ‘how can I get quick palms such as you?’ I inform them, it’s important to be gifted. That’s what it’s, a present. It’s not one thing individuals are born with each day. However getting again to Gatti, he was my brother and I really like him. I’m so grateful for him for giving me the primary struggle, and I paid him again by giving him the second struggle. And Like I say, I’m so proud that I gave you guys one thing to recollect. I’m proud and I’m grateful. When you had requested me again within the day, I’d have mentioned I’d by no means struggle Gatti, for 2 causes – one, he was my brother, and two, he might by no means beat me. However he obtained what he requested for.”
