Arturo Gatti vs Micky Ward III

On Saturday, 7th June 2003, Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward met for the final time at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey. This was the third match between the two, with this 10-round super-lightweight bout marking the culmination of their trilogy. Main Events served as the promoter for the event, while Earl Morton officiated the match as the referee.

Arturo Gatti, who held a record of 35-6-0, hailed from Jersey City, New Jersey, by way of Montreal, Canada. His opponent, Micky Ward, entered the ring with a record of 38-12-0 and resided in Lowell, Massachusetts. Both fighters weighed in at 142 lbs, ensuring an evenly matched contest in the non-title 10-round super-lightweight main event.

The match, shown live on HBO Boxing After Dark, was a great display of skill, heart, and determination. Both fighters gave their all as usual. Gatti and Ward's previous encounters had already set the stage for an intense rivalry, and this final fight only solidified their status as legendary adversaries.

In the end, Arturo Gatti emerged victorious, defeating Micky Ward by unanimous decision. Judges George Hill and Joseph Pasquale scored the match 96-93, while Luis Rivera awarded Gatti a slightly higher score of 97-92. Gatti's victory marked the end of their trilogy, with Gatti winning two of the three bouts.

The Gatti-Ward trilogy has since become an iconic chapter in boxing history, with their all-out war in the ring garnering widespread admiration and respect from fans and fellow boxers alike. The first bout of the trilogy was even named the Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year, further emphasizing the significance of their battles.

As a testament to the bond formed between the two warriors, Gatti would later hire Ward as his trainer for the final fight of his own career. Despite their brutal encounters inside the ring, the two fighters developed a deep mutual respect that transcended their sporting rivalry.