Although the weather has been okay as of late, your 'boxing meteorologists' are predicting a stormy forecast in Atlantic City, New Jersey. This upcoming Saturday "Thunder" will strike again at the Boardwalk Hall, when the "Human Highlight Film" Arturo Gatti (39-7, 30 KO's) makes the jump to welterweight when he faces the undefeated Danish southpaw Thomas Damgaard (37-0, 27 KO's) for the vacant IBA welterweight championship.

The two-time world champion (IBF-130, WBC-140) Gatti, made the announcement in front of a packed house at Mickey Mantle's in midtown Manhattan early yesterday. The 33-year-old pugilist stated, "It feels good to be back. The fight with Floyd Mayweather did not go the way I wanted it to, but I am glad "Buddy" stopped the fight. I am here today; I am here healthy today and I thank God for it. Making a 147 pounds is so much easier now. This is the first time in years that you see a smile on my face before a fight."

This will be Arturo's first fight back since surrendering his WBC title to the pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather, Jr. last year. It's no secret that the Jersey City, New Jersey native is a fan favorite. The Gatti-Mayweather bout was the highest-grossing non-heavyweight bout in the history of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Thomas Damgaard did not attend yesterday's press conference because of a time conflict. Damgaard was visiting the commission to get his medical clearance for Saturday's duel. Damgaard has been undefeated for eight years. The 34-year-old Danish lefty is currently ranked as the number five welterweight in the world by Ring magazine. Damgaard, who is the current EBU and WBA International champion, earned the titles by decisioning Alessandro Duran six years ago. Since then he has successfully defended his respected straps three times. Damgaard was supposed to make his American debut on the undercard of Braithwaite-Mormeck in Worcester, Massachusetts. "Lionheart" as his people in Denmark know him, was supposed to challenge the WBA "Regular" welterweight champion Jose Antonio Rivera (now held by Luis Collazo) for the belt. However, because of an ongoing serious bout with pneumonia, Damgaard had to pull out of the fight. So this Saturday will mark his first appearance on American soil.