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| "Jesse" James Leija watches referee Earl Brown after being knocked down in the fifth round. He was able to get up. |
"Jesse" James Leija connects with an uppercut during his battle against Arturo Gatti in a WBC super lightweight title fight in Atlantic City, N.J., on Jan. 29, 2005. NIKON D2H, 28-70MM, f2.8 @1/400, ISO 800.
| In Atlantic City A former champion's last stand |
A former world champion, he sought one last chance to prove himself. At age 39, he battled WBC super lightweight champion Arturo Gatti in Atlantic City on Jan. 29, 2005.
He fought valiantly, even stinging the younger and faster champion several times. But the bout ended in the fifth round, when Leija took a blow to the head. He was knocked down, but got back up. Moments later, he was knocked down again and counted out by the referee. It was probably his last fight.
Above, James Leija is embraced by Arturo Gatti after Gatti defeated him in the fifth round of their WBC super lightweight title fight in Atlantic City, N.J.
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©2005 Billy Calzada