Gatti can win war of attrition

Gatti (right) needs to outbox Ward if he is to win

By Richie Woodhall BBC boxing commentator

Highlights of Saturday's fight will be shown on Sunday Grandstand at 1445 on BBC Two.

Boxing styles make fights, and Mickey Ward's encounter with Arturo Gatti back in May was no exception.

What you had here was two guys who like to come forward and would not give way, no matter what they were hit with.

It was like watching two bull terriers having a brawl outside on the cobblestones.

The referee hardly had to speak to them because it was such a great battle - most world title fights won't come close to it for excitement.

  Arturo Gatti

Age: 30

Nationality: Canadian

Division: Light Welter

W/L/D: 34/6/0

I had Ward down as the winner, but in saying that, of the two, Gatti is probably the better boxer.

The trouble in May was that he didn't use his boxing skills.

Ward's skill is that he draws his opponents into a scrap, no matter what their style is.

Mickey Ward is happy to get into a ring and have a battle with anyone, and Gatti obviously wanted to beat him at his own game.

Winning is one thing, but if you win boxing to your opponent's strengths then that is the ultimate win for any fighter, it rubs salt in your rival's wounds.

American Mickey Ward likes nothing better than a scrap on the ropes

That was clearly Gatti's plan, but it didn't and won't work against Ward, who is exceptional in that situation.

He has got Irish blood in him, and that is no surprise when you look at his style, which is similar to Steve Collins.

The Irish seem to produce boxers with granite chins, and Mickey will just take Arturo's hits all night - it's not the safest way to box but it's his style and it works.

Gatti is a boxing fighter, and has got a lot more to his armoury than Ward.

He has proved that he can fight Micky's way, but I would like him to use his lovely long jab a little more.

  Mickey Ward

Age: 37

Nationality: United States

Division: Light Welter

W/L/D: 38/11/0

If I was his trainer I would have given him a right rollicking over the way he fought in May - what he has to do is educate Ward.

It is difficult when your opponent keeps coming forward but Gatti should concentrate on staying in the middle of the ring - the corners and ropes are Ward's territory.

The art of boxing is to hit and not get hit, Gatti has got the skills to keep Ward at arm's length but he must keep his head.

I'll be very disappointed in Gatti if he doesn't try to box his way to victory and dictate the fight with his jab.

Both fighters have a good chin, so you probably won't get a knockout, just a fascinating contrast in styles.

Provided no-one gets a cut, I think this fight will go all the way - viewers are in for a treat.