The family and friends of Arturo Gatti remembered him as a good friend and a gifted boxer at his funeral on Monday.
Held at Notre Dame de la Defense church in Little Italy, about 1,000 people attended the funeral to share their grief and remember the boxer. Fans, retired fighters, officials, promoters and trainers were present to share their memories.
"Although everyone of our group respects to the highest order for what he did in the boxing ring, I think our first thought and our first love was for Arturo, the little boy that we saw grow up who was such a marvel in the gym," said Russ Anber, a boxing expert. "He could show you what Sugar Ray Leonard boxed like, and he could show you the Bolo punch, and he could dance and I mean he was just a phenomenon."
Gatti ended his 16-year career in 2007 with a record of 40-9.
During the ceremony a family friend read a letter of condolence by boxer Mike Tyson, recounting how he watched Gatti mature into a professional boxer. Mourners clapped and cried after it was read, and gave the letter a standing ovation.
Suspicious death
Gatti's death is still clouded by mystery.
The 37-year-old was found dead on Jul. 11, in a holiday flat in Brazil he was staying renting with his 23-year-old wife, Amanda Rodriguez, and their 10-month-old son.
Police say a bloody strap was found on the scene, and said originally they thought Rodriguez strangled him as he slept. They said Gatti also had a head injury; a knife was allegedly found in the back of his head.
Rodriguez and her family fervently refute the allegations, saying that she is too religious to commit such a crime. Her lawyer says she is too small to be physically capable of killing a champion boxer.
Police took Rodriquez into custody. The baby is in the custody of Rodriguez's family.
Questions around media reports of coroner's report
A Brazilian media outlet reported that a preliminary coroner's report did not rule out suicide.
At the funeral, mourners were adamant Gatti did not take his own life.
"Arturo would never, never, never kill himself. Never. I would bet my life. Arturo would never kill himself. He loved life too much," said Victor Salvatore, a family friend.
"Not one member of the family is believing or buying into any small percentage of this suicide. It's just not a reality," said Ivano Scarpa, a family friend.
Police have until Wednesday to provide details of their investigation to prosecutors, who will make the decision on whether charges will be filed.
With files from The Toronto Star, The Canadian Press and CTV.ca
