Sofia Gatti is stepping forward in the wake of a devastating family tragedy. Her brother, Arturo Gatti Jr., was found dead in Cancun, Mexico, on Monday, October 6, 2025 – and Sofia claims only his mother, Amanda Rodriguez, was present at the scene.
The shocking circumstances eerily mirror the death of their father, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti Sr., who tragically died in Brazil in 2009.
“I was too young to fight when my father was killed,” Sofia stated. “I am now an adult and was hoping to have my brother as my buddy in life when he became an adult. We were only one year away from starting our journey together as siblings, having our lives connected forever beyond our blood.”
Legal Battle Over a Changed Will
The situation is complicated further by legal disputes surrounding Arturo Jr.’s inheritance. Sofia alleges that the will left by their father was altered weeks before Arturo Jr.’s death, cutting him out and leaving everything to Amanda Rodriguez months before the transition of power on his 18th birthday.
“My mother tried to fight the last will (as it was being changed),” Sofia explains. “My brother was left with nothing. Now, with him gone, I am his only hope at this moment of getting the truth.”
Raising Funds to Investigate
Sofia launched a fundraiser to hire legal counsel and investigative experts to uncover what really happened. She outlined the estimated costs:
Attorney fees in Mexico: $3,000
Transport of body to Canada: $5–20K
Funeral in Canada: $10K
Investigative team costs: $30–75K minimum
Her fundraising goal was set at $28,000 to cover initial filings in Mexico and the cost of repatriating Arturo Jr. for burial alongside his father.
Early Success and Progress
Thanks to early support, Sofia shared a hopeful update:
“Thank you for the support! It has been a rough month for me personally. The money raised so far allowed me to secure an attorney in Mexico to request a full investigation into my brother’s death on my behalf. I was able to send the first payment, thanks to all of you.”
A Plea for Justice
Sofia is urging the boxing world and fans to continue supporting her mission:
“I need to hire an investigative team to get autopsy, toxicology, reports… to find out what really happened. Please help me in my endeavor, as I am his only hope at this moment to get the truth.”
This is a tragedy that has rocked the Gatti legacy — the family that once lit up the ring with unforgettable battles now faces an unimaginable loss. Fans and the boxing community are rallying around Sofia’s fight for justice.
Visit the GoFundMe page for more information.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
