Arturo Gatti Stops Leonard Dorin with a Destructive Body Shot

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The fight marked Gatti’s first defense of the WBC junior welterweight title he had captured six months earlier with a decision over Gianluca Branco. Dorin entered as a top WBC contender after holding the WBA lightweight title, bringing an undefeated record to his first opportunity to win a world championship at 140 kilograms. Both fighters weigh in at 139 pounds.

Many expected another brutal fight from Gatti, but this contest proved to be very different. Standing a few inches taller and with easy reach, Gatti established his jab and prevented Dorin from going inside, eliminating the Romanian’s best offense.

Trainer Buddy McGirt urged Gatti between rounds to attack the body after seeing holes in the first three minutes. His hero immediately followed those instructions.

Late in the second round, Gatti cut off Dorin’s head with a jab before throwing a short uppercut combination. As Dorin closed, Gatti ripped a crushing left hook to the Romanian’s ribs. Dorin quickly dropped to one knee before dropping to all fours in obvious pain. Referee Randy Neumann called the count, but Dorin could not continue. The official time was 2:55 in Round 2.

Ringside doctors later determined that the punch had caused a diaphragm spasm, with reports also suggesting a possible rib injury. Dorin admitted afterward that it was the first body punch of his professional career that put him on the canvas.

The judges assigned to the fight, John Stewart, Anek Hongtongkam and Larry O’Connell, were unnecessary as Gatti retained his title by knockout. The championship fight aired live on HBO.

Gatti reportedly received about $1.75 million in protection, while Dorin received between $400,000 and $500,000.

The victory gave Gatti one of the cleanest starts in his championship career, allowing him to leave the ring without the hand injuries that often accompany his biggest nights. He later defended his WBC title by stopping Jesse James Leija before Floyd Mayweather Jr. stopping him in six rounds to win the championship in June 2005.

Dorin never returned to the world title picture after his first professional defeat. After retiring, he became a coach in Romania and later accepted a role with the Romanian Boxing Federation.