Who was better, Arturo Gatti or Vinny Pazienza ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014.


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  1. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Both from a legacy standpoint as well as head to head.

    Gatti's trilogy with Ward was epic, but I think so was Pazienza's with Haugen, and in all honesty against a better a opponent. Both men won world titles on at least two occasions and fought in multiple divisions. Both were action fighters and crowd pleasers with lots of character and entertaining performances.
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
    #1
  2. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    No contest. Gatti was better. Granted, I am the world's biggest Pazienza hater, but favoritism aside, it's true.

    Gatti had more than Ward; he also beat a very capable fighter twice in Patterson, and also starched Ruelas, who, despite not being quite what he'd been before the Jimmy Garcia tragedy, was still quite good. Pazienza never beat a top fighter at the top of their game. Ever. Haugen beat him the first time, but made the mistake of going to Pizza Face's hometown and got robbed. He bossed the overrated Pazienza the next time out. Then Paz moves up and gets *****-slapped for 12 rounds by Mayweather, and then gets DQ'ed because he couldn't stand the fact that Loreto Garza was horribly outclassing him.

    Then the "redemption" against Gilbert Dele. Gilbert Dele?? Who?? Good christ, that guy had solid management. They could cherry pick like no one else.
     
    salsanchezfan, Apr 1, 2014
    salsanchezfan, Apr 1, 2014
    #2
  3. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    So you think Haugen essentially won all three of the Paz fights?
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
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  4. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Nope; Paz won the third one fair and square, but Haugen was never all that great either.
     
    salsanchezfan, Apr 1, 2014
    salsanchezfan, Apr 1, 2014
    #4
  5. The Mongoose

    The Mongoose I honor my bets banned

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    I hate him but have to say Vinny was better.

    Ugh..those Duran fights. :twisted:
     
    The Mongoose, Apr 1, 2014
    The Mongoose, Apr 1, 2014
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  6. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I think he was at least as good if not better than Irish Ward and fought through three equally exciting matches with Paz as Ward did with Gatti. Just my opinion.
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
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  7. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think Haugen was better than Ward too, but as noted I also think Gatti fought better guys than that.
     
    salsanchezfan, Apr 1, 2014
    salsanchezfan, Apr 1, 2014
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  8. jas

    jas ★ Legends: B-HOP ; PAC ★ Full Member

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    I think gatti is in the hall of fame and Paz isn't. Not saying that's the be all and end all. Just putting it out there.
     
    jas, Apr 1, 2014
    jas, Apr 1, 2014
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  9. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I was happy to see Gatti getting his life long wish of being in the hall of fame. But in all honesty I think it had a lot to do with the emotional drama of the Ward Trilogy combined with his untimely death that made it possible, more so than him being significantly better than some of his peers who DIDN'T get in..
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
    #9
  10. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Gotta agree with this.
     
    salsanchezfan, Apr 1, 2014
    salsanchezfan, Apr 1, 2014
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  11. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Yeah Gatti was an exciting fighter and a great person, and the last thing I want to do is show any disrespect. But I can relate to the critics who don't feel that his name belongs on the walls of Canastota.
     
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
    mr. magoo, Apr 1, 2014
    #11
  12. Goyourownway

    Goyourownway Insanity enthusiast Full Member

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    Haugen was a legitimate contender/titlist at 135 and 140. Probably better than anyone Gatti ever beat, actually.
     
    Goyourownway, Apr 1, 2014
    Goyourownway, Apr 1, 2014
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  13. jas

    jas ★ Legends: B-HOP ; PAC ★ Full Member

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    jas, Apr 1, 2014
    jas, Apr 1, 2014
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  14. Goyourownway

    Goyourownway Insanity enthusiast Full Member

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    Not exactly a coincidence that Gatti's best wins were at a weight in which he was substantially bigger than everybody else.
     
    Goyourownway, Apr 1, 2014
    Goyourownway, Apr 1, 2014
    #14
  15. Curtis Lowe

    Curtis Lowe Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Vinny P was the original steroid fiend. I think that should figure into the equation.

    I agree with those that Haugen was a better overall fighter than Ward (and is underrated). But the "Styles Make The Fight" scenario comes into play, and Ward was the yin to Gatti's yang, making incredibly exciting fights.

    I rank Gatti over Vinny P. due to his one punch KO ability.
     
    Curtis Lowe, Apr 1, 2014
    Curtis Lowe, Apr 1, 2014
    #15
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