Arturo Gatti Jr. Dies at 17, Son of Boxing Hall of Famer Was Olympic Hopeful in Sport

Arturo Gatti Jr., an Olympic boxing hopeful and the son of legendary boxer Arturo Gatti, has died at the age of 17, according to the World Boxing Association.

The WBA announced his passing on Wednesday.

"The WBA and the boxing world mourn the passing of Arturo Gatti Jr. His journey was just beginning, yet his spirit will live on - now reunited with his legendary father among the stars," the statement read.

According to ESPN's Andreas Hale, there were reports of Gatti's death on social media before the WBA's announcement, and Gatti Sr.'s former bodyguard, Chuch Zito, later confirmed it on social media.

"It's with a heavy heart that I have to say,...R.I.P. to 17-year-old Arturo Gatti Jr.," Zito wrote on Instagram.

Gatti Jr.'s trainer, Moe Latif, also confirmed his death on social media and asked for privacy.

"It is unfortunately not a rumor or a joke. Arturo is gone," Latif wrote in an Instagram story.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman issued a statement regarding Gatti Jr.'s death to ESPN's Salvador Rodriguez

"The World Boxing Council and the global community of our sport join in prayer for the profound loss of Arturo Gatti Jr. at the age of 17. May God rest his soul and help his family find peace," Sulaiman said.

According to Hale, Gatti Jr. was found dead in Mexico, where he lives with his mother, and the details surrounding his death are unclear. Gatti Jr. was hoping to compete in the 2028 Olympics as an amateur boxer before turning pro.