BoxRec

Nice touch from Gatti to allow former bitter rival and now great friend "Irish Micky Ward to walk him into the ring in Atlantic City on January 24. Micky must be missing the sport, he was such a warrior, and this allows him to stay in the limelight without getting punched. Great idea this. Instead of the normal cringe-inducing ring walks, more ex-fighters should be given this honour.

It's a touching story, and it really does seem to be true that they have become good friends.

It's also an excellent marketing ploy however, as it reminds everyone of their 3-fight trilogy when Gatti enters the ring, hyping the crowd.

"bitter" rival? when did that happen?
I never heard about any animosity.

mrbassie wrote:"bitter" rival? when did that happen?
I never heard about any animosity.

Boxing News reporters can often be found stating untruths....

There was bad blood after the first fight. At the end of the famous ninth round, Gatti's corner - along with the doctor - seemingly pulled him out, to the point Micky actually got off his stool and danced a victory jig as the bell rang. Then Gatti just jumped off his stool and squared up, and the fight continued. Ward complained afterwards he relaxed when he thought Gatti had been pulled out and couldn't get his concentration back in the 10th at all. He says he would have knocked Gatti out otherwise.
Also there was a lot of controversey over the scoring in that ninth round. Ward picked up a 10-7 score from one of the judges - yet scored only one knockdown in the round, courtesy of a left hook to the body. It led to a lot of bad feeling between the camps, given that Gatti had come back well from the knockdown - mid-round - and that the judge involved, Dick Flaherty, hailed from Micky's home state of Massachusetts.
A 10-8 round would have made the fight a deserving draw.

Nice gesture. nice to see in boxing

Shows great sportsmanship, a great example of what Boxing should be all about. They may not be the elite of the elite, but both fighter will always be in the top of my most fav to watch and between them have boosted some of the most exciting fights ever to watch in any era. Can't wait to even see them together for Gatti's ring walk