Not many people would have thought that Arturo "Thunder" Gatti would be in the position he will find himself in Saturday night, when he challenges Argentina's Carlos Baldomir in Atlantic City's Boardwalk Hall for the undisputed welterweight title. Probably not even Gatti himself. But after years of memorable wars, many of them wins but also brutal losses, the 34-year-old Montreal-born Itialian has a chance to punctuate his highlight reel career the way many elite fighters never get an opportunity to - by going out on top.

Gatti, 40-7 (31), must be considered a very live underog in what promises to be a classic Gatti, blood-and-guts war. After being blown out by Oscar De La Hoya in his 147-pound debut in 2001, Gatti fought three wars of attrition with Mickey Ward in the span of twenty five months. Then in June of 2005, Gatti was outboxed, outpunched, and outlcassed by Floyd Mayweather Jr, who went on to record a sixth round stoppage. But Gatti rebounded in his second try at welterweight by stopping the then unbeated Dane Thomas Damgaard in January, and found himself undergo yet another rebirth. When welterweight champ Zab Judah was upset weeks before in his hometown of New York by Baldomir, the stage was set for talks between the Gatti and Baldomir camps while Judah and Mayweather made plans to fight each other.

Baldomir, 42-9-6 (12), is curious not so much for his nine losses as he is for his mere twelve knockout victories. This misleading statistic must have been the reason for Judah's taking Baldomir lightly, and it wasn't until it was too late that Judah discovered the pop in his opponent's punch. To beat a quick, dangerous, yet unfocused fighter like Judah is no small task, but styles make fights, and it remains to be seen if Gatti has the pop to neutralize Baldomir's pressure.

The only other notable name on Baldomir's record is the slow and seemingly big-punching Jose Luis Cruz, who Baldomir drew with in 2002. Baldomir, 35, may have a speed advantage at 147, and he obviously has an iron jaw to have withstood Judah's bombs. For Gatti to beat Baldomir, he will have to have the fight of his life, combining his boxing ability with aggressive power-punching, a feat that may be easier said than done. Just ask Judah. Let's hope that there is no home cooking if the fight goes to a decision, and that the fighter who deserves the win is awarded the victory.

Gatti is known for his courage and determination, but Baldomir's hunger should not be taken lightly. He will be fighting in front of Gatti's home crowd in New Jersey, just as he fought in front of Judah's fans at MSG, and he will be inspired. He realizes this might be his only opportunity for a big payday, which Gatti's drawing power can provide, and he is looking to provide for his family.

Gatti said it best when he said that he has something Baldomir wants, and Baldomir has something he wants. So what are we waiting for?

Prediction: Gatti by split decision