When the former WBC super lightweight champion, Arturo Gatti, took his own life in 2009, his son was only 10 months old. Gatti Jr. went on to follow in his father’s footsteps and enter the boxing world. Now, before his son could have realized his full potential in the sport, the 17-year-old seems to have tragically met with the same fate as his father.

American stuntman and actor Chuck Zito took to social media to talk about the tragic demise of Arturo Gatti Jr., which was first reported by former boxer Jean Pascal. According to his statement, the 17-year-old boxing prospect’s passing took place in a hotel room in Mexico. There are no clear details, and the reason remains unknown as to what led to Gatti Jr.’s death, but the only thing we know is that his lifeless body came to a neighbor’s notice.

“It’s with a heavy heart that I have to say,…. R.I.P. to 17-year-old ARTURO GATTI JR. who was found hanging in an apartment in Mexico yesterday. The same way they found his father dead in an apartment in Brazil 16 years ago,” he wrote on Instagram. Arturo Gatti’s son’s passing happened 16 years after he passed away, for which his wife was initially held responsible. But on further investigation, it was revealed that the boxing legend had taken his own life.

Understandably, the 17-year-old’s passing has brought the entire boxing fandom to a standstill. There was confusion, shock, and sadness all around when the fans came across the news on Instagram. Here are some of their reactions.

Fans left heartbroken after Arturo Gatti Jr.’s untimely passing

“I’m so sorry,” said one fan in the comments section, reacting to the gravity of the pain and suffering that the Gatti family is going through at the moment. The fans had nothing but kind things to say about Arturo Gatti and his son, as they were shaken up by the news, unable to comprehend why Gatti Jr. was gone while he was still just a teenager. A couple of fans commented, “Sleep in heavenly peace Arturo,” and “How can this happen again?? So sad I love his dad !! True warrior,” in that regard.

As one fan paid tribute and prayed for him, saying, “Sleep in heavenly peace Arturo,” another fan added, “Sorry for this loss love and condolences to all a true tragedy.” While Gatti Jr. was showing signs of becoming a real threat in the future as a professional, fans expressed their love for his father, who, as we’ve mentioned already, was a former champion and found tremendous success during his run from 1992 to 2007. He even had a legendary rivalry with Micky Ward. “Gatti was legend,” one fan said.

On the other hand, one fan mourned the heartbreaking tragedy that the Gatti family has been through. He expressed his deep sorrow for the unfortunate, tragic events, empathizing with the whole family for their unimaginable and shocking loss. “So very sad.. gone way too soon as his father also. For his family to relive another tragedy, may he ret in peace. Condolences to the Gatti family and to you to relive the terrible ordeal and loss of Arturo.”

It’s certainly a dark day in the world of sports, not just boxing. Arturo Gatti Jr. was looking like he was going to make it to the apex of the sport, with 31 knockouts in 40 wins. He even had dreams of making it to the Olympics one day. But unfortunately, those dreams will now remain dreams.