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5 Stories on Arturo Gatti
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Friends: Boxer 'didn't pull any punches' in life

Vernon "the Viper" Forrest was competitive, not merely in his title bouts as a boxing champion but in video games and card games as well, friends say.

SI.com: Jon Wertheim: Forrest was a classy professional, and his death is a blow to boxing

In the spring of 2002, Vernon Forrest and I sat in front of his television watching a DVD from his previous fight. A few months earlier, Forrest had unexpectedly beaten Shane Mosley to win the WBC welterweight belt. Forrest was training for a summer rematch, but had carved out time to entertain a stranger with a notepad for two days in Atlanta. As he replayed the win over Mosley, Forrest would pantomime his moves, cleaving the air with jabs and bobbing his head. Then he'd pause the DVD.

SI.com: Chris Mannix: Gatti had heart of a champion

Arturo Gatti won't be remembered by anyone for his superior boxing skills. His name won't be recalled for the handful of titles he won over the course of a 16-year career. And, to be fair, Gatti won't be canonized as one of the greatest fighters in his weight class. But he will be remembered for one thing, something perhaps no fighter will ever be able to match.

SI.com: Richard O'Brien: Jack Dempsey tops boxing Thrill List

These lists are not mere compilations of all-time bests in their respective sports but all-time bests at quickening the pulse and evoking a visceral response from those fortunate enough to have witnessed their artistry.

SI.com: Chris Mannix: Risky? Sure. But if Mayweather's smart, he'll take on Cotto next

Four months. It took four whole months for me to break my first New Year's resolution, but I am about to do it. I'm going to write about Floyd Mayweather.

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