Gatti retires after loss to Gomez

Arturo Gatti’s career came to a painful and bloody end when he was battered by Alfonso Gomez and stopped in the seventh round Saturday night.

Fighting at 147 pounds proved to be too much for the two-time world champion, who failed in his bid to regain his place among boxing’s top fighters.

“Hasta la vista, baby,” the 35-year-old Gatti told HBO as blood flowed from his cut lip. “I can’t be taking this abuse anymore.”

A crowd of 9,648 looked on as Gomez punished his former idol. The final round was especially painful for Gatti and his fans.

Gomez (17-3-2), who had only seven knockouts in his previous 21 fights, hurt Gatti (40-9) early with a four-punch combination, then battered him with punch after powerful punch.

Midway through the seventh round, as Gomez was landing 44 of 60 power shots, Gatti was helpless against the ropes.

He occasionally threw a weak right hand but was soon overwhelmed again by Gomez’s nonstop attack. When Gomez landed a powerful right hand that finally caused Gatti to sag to the canvas, referee Randy Neumann started a 10 count. He barely got halfway through it before New Jersey Control Board Commissioner Larry Hazzard, a former referee, stepped into the ring and stopped the fight.