HBO's Jim Lampley On The Hardest Fight To Watch | SI NOW | Sports Illustrated

Announcer Jim Lampley discusses one of the first fights between Micky Ward and Arturo Gatti.

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HBO's Jim Lampley On The Hardest Fight To Watch | SI NOW | Sports Illustrated

[eoghancallaghy]

Nobody says "remember when Micky beat Arturo or Arturo beat Micky". It is always said "remember Gatti/Ward". That's speaks volumes of these 3 fights.

[carlosargueta]

Jim Lampley’s heart for the sport and the fighters is what makes him special!

[Strawman]

I’ll never forget that trilogy. These two had pure heart. RIP Gatti.

[deadarmd]

"Nobody gets up from that punch...Arturo gets up"

[pecodo]

damn, lampley always makes me choke when he gets emotional, I get what he's feeling, that was a he'll of a fight and certainly meant and changed the life's of those 2 warriors

[FZA]

Rest In Peace Arturo Gatti. True warrior

[TheLos]

The first fight is something I’ll never forget. Once in a lifetime boxing between two legends. 🥊

[InformationIsTheEdge]

I watched a rebroadcast of the first Gatti/Ward fight some weeks after it happened and I already knew Arturo had lost. By the end of the third round, I had forgotten what the result was and I was swept away by the back and forth action. It was a great fight! I made sure to watch the rematch and the third fight live and I was so glad I did! What an epic display of everything sport is meant to be. Thank you Micky. Thank you Arturo. No one could have given more than those two men in that final fight. Beautiful, in its way.

[johndurant]

Very well spoken - Jim Lampley! I'm never going to forget how well you articulated the deeper truths hidden in the hearts of fighters. Fighters who often fought to punish themselves, and sometimes only knew love through the respect of their opponents.

[jessewahwah]

I didn’t know Mickey Ward read Arturo’s eulogy. Amazing. Two guys with a bond few humans get to experience. I don’t remember Mickey Ward beating Arturo Gatti or Arturo Gatti beating Mickey Ward. I remember ME WINNING for having seen those fights. Legendary.

[noelkevinsiason]

Notice how his voice shakes while trying to remember one of the best, if not the best boxing match that has ever taken place. I still get the same kind goosebumps I had when I have first watched Ward-Gatti 1. RIP Gatti, I know you still got your gloves on up there.

[DicksonMaimouth]

I remember sitting on my couch watching this fight live on HBO Boxing After Dark, not expecting to see an actual Rocky movie in the making. I was so grateful, so overjoyed, so overwhelmed, so appreciative of and by the unbelievable spirit of those two men I was almost in tears. In that moment, nothing else mattered. I can’t even imagine the feeling of watching this fight in person, to say nothing of the feelings those two relentless warriors experienced.

[joesmith]

The only other person in boxing close to having the heart and class of Arturo and Mickey is Jim Lamplley..the greatest commentator of all time..you can see he loved Ward and Gatti like his children..and respect them as well..God bless Mickey Ward and Jim Lampley and rest in peace Arturo..the greatest hearts the sport ever has or ever will know..

[jaycrew]

I grew watching Lampley and HBO Boxing telecast and one thing is even more abundantly clear how eloquent Lampley is. His voice and his orating skills are the best I’ve heard to ever comment on boxing. Sad that HBO Boxing abruptly ended in 2018. I definitely enjoyed Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant, Max Kellerman, Emmanuel Stewart, Roy Jones, Lennox Lewis and Harold Letterman.

[rosey]

How could ANYONE dislike this video? Lampley is amazing, as were ALL 3 of the Gatti/Ward fights.

[LAAPmusic]

I miss this guy calling fights. Greatest of all time and it’s not close.

[mitchellstowers]

“ As close as two men could be”that’s a good one. It does bring you closer especially if that’s our lifeline, you kinda meet in the middle and love each other

[bigdawg]

My favorite trilogy. I still have those encapsulated on a DVD with my memorabilia. I actually get a little choked up watching them, every time. As a former fighter and coach, to understand what these 2 men are giving of themselves for the sport and their heart, its both beautiful and horrifying to watch the punishment given and especially, absorbed. I always say there can be fights where you dont come out the same person/fighter that went in (to mean less). A piece of you remained in that ring/cage. And deep inside you know it and you feel it. You might not ever confess that to another soul but you hope your performance was appreciated or remembered. These warriors shared three of those fights together. Unbelievable wars of attrition. Salute to both of these men. Forever respected. RIP Arturo "Thunder" Gatti. If you love boxing, definitely check these out.

[HOTSTUDish]

gatti vs ward best shit I have seen n boxing

[TheWopper]

Jim Lampley, all heart. By far and away my absolute favorite call man, for championship boxing. He feels as I feel about these two spectacular gentlemen, who poured their hearts and souls into their 3 bouts. Arturo will live in the hearts and minds of boxing fan/enthusiasts, across the world over. RIP Thunder. Thank you Mr. Jim Lampley.