Who was Amanda Rodrigues? Arturo Gatti Jr’s mother arrested for boxing legend death

The recent death of 17-year-old Arturo Gatti Jr. in Mexico has brought renewed focus to one of boxing’s most controversial cases — the suspicious 2009 death of his father, Arturo “Thunder” Gatti — and revived questions surrounding the involvement of Gatti Jr.’s mother, Amanda Rodrigues.

“The mysterious deaths of boxer Arturo Gatti and his son have renewed attention on Amanda Rodrigues, Gatti Jr.’s mother, who was once arrested and later cleared in the boxing legend’s suspicious 2009 death.”

Arturo Gatti, a fan favorite known for his thrilling trilogy with Micky Ward and relentless fighting style, died under mysterious circumstances in July 2009 while vacationing with Rodrigues in Porto de Galinhas, Brazil. Brazilian police initially reported that Gatti had been strangled with a handbag strap, leading to Rodrigues’ arrest after inconsistencies were found in her statements.

At the time, Rodrigues claimed the couple had argued following dinner and that Gatti, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, had pushed her to the ground. Witnesses described the relationship as “volatile, jealous and argumentative.” She was 23 years old and spent nearly three weeks in custody.

Shortly afterward, Brazilian authorities reclassified Gatti’s death from homicide to suicide by hanging, and Rodrigues was released. The decision sparked backlash from Gatti’s family and close friends, who believed the investigation had critical flaws — citing unexplained injuries, questionable blood evidence, and what they called an incomplete autopsy.

Adding to the suspicion, Gatti had revised his will just three weeks before his death, leaving his entire estate — including a $1 million life insurance policy — solely to Rodrigues, excluding his family and even his infant son, Arturo Jr.

Driven by doubts, Gatti’s family ordered a second autopsy in Montreal by renowned pathologist Dr. Michael Baden. According to CBS News, Baden determined the original autopsy was incomplete and noted injuries suggesting possible foul play. However, no official changes were ever made to the Brazilian ruling of suicide.

Rodrigues has consistently denied any wrongdoing and maintained her innocence, eventually retreating from public life to raise Arturo Jr., who had recently begun pursuing a boxing career himself.

In a tragic twist, Arturo Gatti Jr. was found dead in October 2025 in the Mexico apartment he reportedly shared with Rodrigues. Early reports indicate he was found hanging — a disturbing parallel to his father’s death 16 years earlier. The case is under investigation, and authorities have yet to release an official cause of death.

As the boxing world mourns another devastating loss, lingering questions remain unanswered, and the dual tragedies of the Gatti family continue to haunt fans and investigators alike.