Arturo Gatti Stops Leonard Dorin With Devastating Body Shot

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The bout marked Gatti’s first defense of the WBC junior welterweight championship that he had captured six months earlier with a decision over Gianluca Branco. Dorin entered as the WBC’s top-ranked challenger after previously holding the WBA lightweight title, bringing an unbeaten record into his first opportunity to win a world championship at 140 pounds. Both fighters weighed 139 pounds.

Many expected another brutal firefight from Gatti, but this contest proved to be much different. Standing several inches taller with a clear reach advantage, Gatti established his jab and prevented Dorin from getting inside, taking away the Romanian’s best offense.

Trainer Buddy McGirt urged Gatti between rounds to attack the body after seeing openings during the first three minutes. His fighter followed those instructions almost immediately.

Late in the second round, Gatti snapped Dorin’s head back with a jab before throwing a short combination upstairs. As Dorin covered up, Gatti ripped a crushing left hook into the Romanian’s ribs. Dorin instantly dropped to one knee before falling onto all fours in obvious pain. Referee Randy Neumann administered the count, but Dorin was unable to continue. The official time was 2:55 of Round 2.

Ringside physicians later determined the punch 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 had put him on the canvas.

The judges assigned to the bout, John Stewart, Anek Hongtongkam and Larry O’Connell, were not needed as Gatti retained his title by knockout. The championship fight aired live on HBO.

Gatti reportedly earned about $1.75 million for the defense, while Dorin received between $400,000 and $500,000.

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

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