It's possibly the most anticipated fight of the year, the final part of the trilogy between Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward. This Saturday night, two of boxing's ultimate warriors throw hands in a bout that is bound to produce fireworks. Using Title Fight 2001, the premier boxing simulation, MaxBoxing ran Gatti and Ward through the paces one last time to see who will be victorious in Saturday's rubber match. And while a computer program can't possibly measure the intangibles both fighters possess (like heart), this should still make for some interesting reading.

ROUND ONE:­ The two fighters respectfully touch gloves as the fight begins. Gatti tries a lead right cross but misses. Ward takes advantage, moving in and landing a hook to the body. They grapple on the inside. As they break free of each other, Gatti lands a wicked uppercut to the head, and follows it up with a right cross. As the two resume fighting, they clash heads. As Gatti steps back, Ward follows up with a big right hand that opens up a nasty gash over Gatti's left eye. Unfortunately for Ward, the clash of heads produced a cut over his own eye (the right). The cut is bothering Gatti, and he tries to stay on the inside, where he can see Ward. The two pound away on the inside, until a hook to the head by Ward stuns Gatti.
ROUND EVEN

ROUND TWO: ­ Both corners work furiously to stop the flow of blood from their fighters. Gatti swings wildly, pushing the action because of the severity of his cut. Ward tries to jab him off, but misses. Gatti lands some good body shots and an uppercut on the inside, using his speed advantage. Ward seems one step behind "Thunder" and it shows as Gatti continues to score impressively.
ROUND TO GATTI

ROUND THREE: ­ Ward gets a dressing down from trainer Dick Ecklund between rounds, but neither Gatti nor Ward engages the other for most of the round, with any exchanges ending up with a clinch. Gatti lands the more telling blows of the slow round, a tough one to score.
ROUND TO GATTI

ROUND FOUR: ­ Again, Ecklund gives it to Ward in the corner, but this time Micky responds, landing a double hook to the chest and head to lead off the fourth. Gatti clinches, and Ward nails him on the break, drawing a warning from the ref. Gatti responds with a crisp uppercut, but Ward fires back with a hook to the body that stuns Gatti. Gatti tries to weave his way out of trouble, but a follow-up shot to the solar plexus drops Thunder to the canvas. Gatti rises unsteadily at eight, but is allowed to continue. Ward rushes in, but Gatti is able to avoid much of the attack until the bell rings.
ROUND TO WARD

ROUND FIVE: ­ Gatti looks to get back to his original game plan of boxing to start the fifth, and he jabs effectively until Ward ducks under and lands a big uppercut to the jaw that stuns Gatti again. The two clinch, but after they break, Ward resumes his body attack. Gatti is in trouble, but he refuses to back off, throwing punches back at his foe. The bell sounds, and the crowd roars after the best action of the fight.
ROUND TO WARD

ROUND SIX: ­ Gatti's left eye is beginning to close, but luckily the flow of blood has been kept under control. Both men throw right crosses at the same time, but Gatti's lands first, sending water flying from Ward's head. The two battle on the inside, and the bout has picked up in intensity. Gatti is warned for headbutting after one particularly tight exchange. Gatti goes back to boxing, and the crowd starts to get restless. In the final minute, the two engage again, with Gatti gaining a slight edge.
ROUND TO GATTI

ROUND SEVEN: ­ Both men are throwing punches, but missing more than landing in the early stages of the seventh. Gatti comes straight down the pike with a right hand, and lands flush on Ward's chin. Ward takes it well, but gets drilled with another right hand, which causes him to shake his head to get rid of the cobwebs. Ward comes inside and lands a couple of good shots, but Gatti lands a hook at the bell to steal it.
ROUND TO GATTI

ROUND EIGHT: ­ Gatti seems to be loading up on his punches, sensing a change in the tide. Ward hangs in there though, and lands a nice uppercut at close quarters. Gatti misses a couple of power shots and pays for it each time, as Ward nails him hard with hooks. Ward continues to press and another hook to the head staggers Gatti. Ward pursues Gatti to the corner, but Thunder fires back with some crisp shots that stun Irish Micky. Both men go toe-to-toe until the bell rings, and the crowd rises in appreciation.
ROUND TO WARD

ROUND NINE: ­ Gatti comes out with his arms protecting his torso from body shots. Ward adjusts and goes to the head, landing a hook and a cross, the cross sending blood spraying from Arturo's lip. Gatti fires back with two 1-2 combinations. Ward, not to be outdone shoots over a combination of his own, and the war has commenced again. The two battle on fairly even terms for the rest of the frame, leaving this a tough one to score.
ROUND EVEN

ROUND TEN: ­ The 30th round between Gatti and Ward begins with a respectful touch of gloves. Ward starts throwing punches to begin the round, drawing roars from the crowd, but not really scoring. Ward does score with a short right cross, and Gatti grimaces. After another right by Ward, Gatti clinches. After the break, Gatti bulls Ward into the ropes and the two exchange power shots. The bout's ending epitomizes the entire trilogy, with Gatti landing quick shots to the head, and Ward landing hooks to the body. The crowd gives a standing ovation for both warriors as the bell sounds.
ROUND EVEN

The judges have reached a verdict, and it's unanimous. The scores are 96-95, 96-95, and 96-94 in favor of your winner ­ Arturo "Thunder" Gatti

*** THE STATISTICAL RUNDOWN ­ Gatti-Ward III was run through the Title Fight 2001 simulator 100 times to gain a significant statistical sample. Here's how it played out.