STORY OF A STREET FIGHT WITH ARTURO GATTI
July 18th, 2009 By Jarrad Woods
GATTI HAD BALLS BOTH IN & OUT OF RING
New York, NY- A 6’5” Los Angeles based talk show host named Tariq “King Flex” Nasheed recently made mention of a physical encounter he had with the late Arturo Gatti. Gatti was only 5’7” but apparently was not diminutive in heart as he picked a fight with the much larger Nasheed. Nasheed, known for writing relationship themed self help books like, The Art Of Mackin,’ hosts a weekly podcast and revisited an encounter he had with Gatti about eight years ago. The story was both entertaining and telling as he described an incident that detailed the type of man Gatti was outside of the ring.
ARTURO GATTI BEING…..ARTURO GATTI
According to the story Tariq was visiting a “posh” hotel with a few female companions in the Los Angeles area and heard loud music coming from one of the rooms. He noticed what he described as a “short Puerto Rican dude” (Gatti obviously is Italian) in the hotel and was surprised to see someone like him at a five star hotel. He recalls that Gatti showed some interest in a few of his female companions
and asked them if they would like to join him and his entourage for a party. The women respectfully declined noting that they were with Tariq and Gatti’s response was, “Yeah, *uck him”.
GATTI GOT THE “LITTLE BROTHER” TREATMENT
Feeling disrespected Nasheed said something to Gatti and Gatti immediately ran up in his face seemingly inclined for confrontation. Not knowing that Gatti was a professional fighter, Nasheed did not take full advantage of assaulting the belligerent Gatti, but did put him in a headlock and backed him into an elevator. He notes that he stopped the elevator and banged his head up against the elevator doors for a while to disorient Gatti who he felt was under the influence of some sort of drug. He let Gatti go as one of Gatti’s friends began to call out for him and decided that it was best for him to exit the premises as well.
ARTURO RECOGNIZED FROM TV CLIP
Not being a huge fight fan, Nasheed noted that it wasn’t until later, when he actually saw a clip on ESPN that he recognized that that little guy he pulled into the elevator was Arturo Gatti, a championship level professional fighter. Certainly we know Gatti had balls in the ring, but obviously he was no different anywhere else. RIP to one of the most exciting boxers I’ve ever seen.
This doesn’t seem reputable. Are we just supposed to believe this guy? Its not like Gatti whupped him and now he is looking bad. This guy allegedly was throwing Gatti around, and Gatti threw no punches. What a joke. This guy is a tool as I’ve seen him on TV, Gatti and his crew would’ve beat this guy down mercilessly if this encounter truly happened. All you’ve done here is make Gatti look like a jerk.
This story is crazy. I have one of Tariq’s books too. LOL
I looked this Tariq clown up and wouldn’t buy anything this guy says. Sounds like a classic bullshit artist. I guess that is how he makes his living. This should have been posted when it happened, not right after Gatti was murdered. Not really the time for this.
Amazing how these types of stories oft times come out after the person is dead and unable to give their side of other story, or refute that it is true at all.
BAD Timing all around. Who cares about his encounter with Gatti, this is clearly an attempt at face time for this Tariq idiot.
Rest in Peace Arturo and thank you for what you brought us with your in-ring exploits.
I have to agree Smitty, the timing was bad. And I guess I’m responsible for that, so I apologize for doing so. Ask me if I believed it or not, I don’t know. Even when Gatti was hammered he was always cool in that he didn’t start any trouble the times I was around him. I never saw nothing in Arturo other than a guy who trained, fought, and partied hard.
I believe Tariq’s version of the encounter.Outside of the world of die hard boxing fans,Gatti was really unknown. So it would serve no purpose to make up a story about Arturo.