BoxRec

Dorin is older, until very recently was fighting at lightweight, has a less than amazing record of stopping opponents (8 in 20) and is fighting a guy famed for his durability. Is Dorin such a slick technician that he is going to be able to box Gatti for 12 rounds or is his record on paper deceptive?

I'd appreciate anyone who has seen Dorin fight letting me know their thoughts.

Perfect opponent for Gatti IMO. Dorin is small, easy to hit and isn't a banger.

The styles should gel well but it'll be one sided IMO.

From what I've seen of Dorin he boxed a bit like Micky Ward, with a high guard and little movement side-to-side; he was pretty straight on. Gatti can win on points qutie comfortably, I think, if he fights the same as he did in the second Ward fight, though this one may be closer if the rumours of Gatti being shot are true.

To beat Gatti I'd tell Dorin to focus for the first 3-5 rounds on countering his left hook with a right to the body. He won't like it and will eventually move less, probably starting to slug more. From this point on, focus on the right hand to the head to score and he should be home on the scorecards by the last bell.

Gatti is best priced 4/9 with the bookmakers, doesn't that seem too generous? Why do they think it will be so close?

I watched Dorin's last fight against Chucky T on Romanian tv ( who'll be showing the Gatti fight live too ). I was half expecting to see a faded fighter, but he still looked a world class operator in there. Very accurate punches and a decent defence too. An impressive performance.

I make him a very live underdog in this one. Doubtful he'll get the decision in a close fight, but he might bust up Gatti, who's not exactly a spring chicken.

Even if Gatti is shot, is Dorin going to be able to stop him? I haven't heard anything to make me think he could. If it goes 12 rounds is the lighter punching Dorin going to be able to keep Gatti off him. Gatti certainly never seemed to lack for stamina.
I guess I want to see Gatti get one real super, big money fight before retiring (as long as it isn't one that sees him getting messed up) , so he can go out on a high. This seems to me a dangerous fight without a real upside for his career.
I guess not knowing Dorin maybe I'm underrating him as a scalp...

Yeah but who's Chucky T? Somehow I don't think Gatti is going to have a problem finding the target in this fight.

Dorin doesn't look a banger - but throws masses of punishing leather and can do it for 12 rounds. He won the WBA lightweight title in a war with Argentina's Raul Balbi in 2002 and was robbed in a unification match with Paul Spadafora in Spadafora's own hometown last year. It remains the only blot on his record (a draw) and he fought that night with a busted hand and severe weight troubles, which eventually forced him to relinquish his title.
He's still unbeaten as a pro.
He's 34 because of his long and illustrious amateur career. He won two Olympic medals and was world and European amateur champ.

I've seen the Balbi fight and there's no doubt about it Dorin throws nice combos all night, that's why I feel the styles will gel nicely here. But Gatti laughs off lightweight punches whereas Dorin surely will feel the extra power coming his way.

Dorin may not be a great puncher but he is a class fighter... good defense... throws lots of accurate punches and has very good stamina... I can see it being a hard night for Gatti especially if he has chronic hand problems which seems to be the case as he seems to have injured his right hand in his last 3 or 4 bouts....

Many talk about Gatti boxing smartly in this one but the Montreal angle shouldn't be overlooked. Dorin lives in Montreal and is a Canadian citizen. Gatti was born and bred in Montreal and still has most of his family living there (he himself lives in New Jersey). This is a real derby and could turn into a bloodbath.

Yeah, I agree, I actually think Gatti needs to hurt Dorin in this fight and force him back... if Gatti tries to outbox Dorin I can see Dorin coming forward and swarming all over Gatti and making things very tough.... Dorin has probably the edge in hand speed but Gatti the power.... the longer this goes will probably be the better for Dorin.

Maybe I'm underrating Dorin (I don't think I am) but don't see him winning a boxing match and I certainly don't see him winning a brawl. He's probably tough enough to last the distance no matter how much he gets hit but he'll always be coming off second best unless Gatti's hands go.

I'm doing the preview for this fight for BN. All I can say is, thanks for writing it.

I'm sure it's going to be a very tough bout for Gatti. Dorin has a very good chin so any inside the distance victory will be a very good performance... Gatti will most likely start out boxing but eventually he'll have to try and force Dorin back a bit... a lot depends on how good Gatti is... are his hands ok... I think he'll edge out a very tough fight and get a perhaps controversial decision... 8)

Yeah I think Gatti is a little over rated, but not very familiar with Dorin. However it seems to me that this is a fight that is et for controversy. If Gatti can't stop Dorin, and is not stopped himself, expect to see Gatti win regardless. Also from what I have heard Dorin is a better fighter than Ward (who really was over-rated). The cash cow always wins.

Kilburn wrote:I've seen the Balbi fight and there's no doubt about it Dorin throws nice combos all night, that's why I feel the styles will gel nicely here. But Gatti laughs off lightweight punches whereas Dorin surely will feel the extra power coming his way.

Yes Gatti's chin is fine, but don't forget he marks up and cuts quite badly. Just because he outboxed Ward doesn't suddenly make him Pernell Wittaker.

Are Sky showing this fight?

I don't think it's going to take Pernell Whitaker-like skills to get the better of someone like Leonard Dorin.

Beeb are showing it next day.

Kilburn wrote:Beeb are showing it next day.

The Beeb? Miracles never cease.

I doubt this will go the distance, due to cuts. Both fighters are prone to bleed, and if this turns into the brawl everybody is hoping for, there's gonna be claret all over the place. I don't think Gatti will be able to keep Dorin at range for long, as he has a very good chin. Against Emanuel Augustus (Burton?) he walked straight through him, taking his best shots and not even blinking, to earn a lopsided decision. Compare this to Augustus Vs Mickey Ward. Augustus was able to hurt Ward a couple of times in what was a very close fight. Saying that though, Dorin doesn't punch particularly hard, so Gatti should be able to take Dorin's best shots in return.
I'll be fucked if I can pick a winner though.

Gattis not shot but hes past his best....Dorin on points,good fight though.

Best odds I can see are Dorin @ 9/4 ( sporting bet ) and Gatti @ 9/20 ( super odds )

TOP STUFF so we get chi and gatti on the same weekend that cant be bad can it!!!