Last Saturday, Floyd Mayweather Jr. did his part in securing a potential pay-per-view blockbuster fight with Arturo Gatti by stopping Henri Bruseles in the 8th round.

Now it's Gatti's turn to fulfill his part of the bargain. And the only thing standing in his way is, fittingly, the gatekeeper of the junior welterweight division, crafty veteran James Leija. After overcoming early trouble against hard-hitting youngster Francisco Bojado, Leija pulled out a hard-fought, well-deserved minor upset victory, decisioning the Mexican on the Gatti-Dorin undercard. Now, after years of toiling in the same weight class, Leija and Gatti will finally come together Saturday night in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall.

But can the 39-year-old Leija, 47-6 (19), pick up where he left off against the inexperienced Bojado and outbox a rejuvenated veteran like Gatti? Or is this simply a tune-up for Gatti, before a more challenging fight with Mayweather?

Whatever the answer, this is not a walkover for the 32-year-old Gatti, 38-6 (29). Since decisioning Mickey Ward (twice) and Gianluca Branco, and knocking out Leonard Dorin, this is Gatti's first major test, although an older version of one, in Leija. Leija is a crafty, sound boxer who is always in top shape and has fought the likes of Azumah Nelson, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Kostya Tszyu, and Gabe Ruelas, with varying success. Gatti, an all-action brawler who, thanks to trainer Buddy McGirt, has reverted back to being a boxer-puncher, will not be as passive as Bojado proved to be when Leija defeated him. On the other hand, an agressive, slugging Gatti might play into the hands of Leija, as Gatti is neither as fast as Bojado nor as technically sound.

So does that mean Leija has a chance? Yes, but the odds are stacked against him. There is absolutely no way Leija will stop Gatti, who has a heart as big as Texas, so you can throw that theory out the window. And although Mickey Ward was no world-beater, Gatti boxed with incredible poise in their second encounter, and can box for twelve rounds if he has to. He also has good power, and is bound to connect with Leija sooner or later.

Look for Leija to dictate the early rounds by boxing, as Gatti is content with staying on the outside and landing his jab. Then, as Leija presses the action, Gatti proves too strong for him, and after being knocked down twice, the referee rescues Leija, whose gallant effort comes up short.

Prediction: Gatti KO 7