It’s unlikely that Arturo Gatti will ever be in a boring fight. The 32-year-old Canadian, now living in New Jersey, has participated in the “Fight of the Year” five times. And his brutal ring trilogy with Micky Ward – Gatti won two of their three encounters – has become part of boxing lore.

Gatti captured the 140-pound World Boxing Council crown last January with a 12-round decision over Gianluca Branco in a fast-paced fight. Six months later, he defended his title against Leonard Dorin, whom he knocked out with a crippling left hook to the body in the second round.

“People only recognize me when I’m beat up,” Gatti said after the Dorin fight. “If my face isn’t puffy, they don’t believe it’s me. It’s a victory for me just not to be going to the hospital after a fight.”

On Saturday night, Gatti (38-6, 29 KOs) enters the ring to defend his title against Jesse James Leija (47-6-2, 19 KOs). Leija, like Gatti, is an honest fighter who gives his all every time he enters the ring. In his 16-year career, he has fought some of boxing’s best, including Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Kosta Tszyu, and Azumah Nelson (three times). But except for Nelson, whom he beat twice, Jesse James has been unable to conquer top-tier foes.

Leija’s most recent fight was against Francisco “Panchito” Bojado on the undercard of Gatti-Dorin. Bojado was being groomed for stardom, and it was assumed that he’d win. Leija, who had just turned 38, assumed otherwise. Bojado started strong and scored a second-round knockdown. But Jesse James survived and, as the bout wore on, he took his opponent to school and raised serious questions about the younger man’s heart. The decision went to Leija.

This time, Leija has a tougher mountain to climb. Gatti is younger, stronger, faster, and hits harder. And no one can question his heart. Leija’s only hope is that the wars have worn Arturo down.

“When I saw Arturo Gatti and Micky Ward, I said they were crazy,” Leija observed last week. “They have huge hearts to take that type of punishment. You look and you’re awed by it. But those types of fights will come back to haunt you later in your career. It slows you down and you’re not as sharp as you once were.”

Gatti’s response? “I’ll fight like that anytime I have to.”

It will be an entertaining fight while it lasts, but Gatti should stop his foe in the middle or late rounds.

The fight will be televised by HBO along with another action match-up. In the opening bout, Kassim Ouma (20-1-1, 13 KOs) defends his 154-pound International Boxing Federation title against Kofi Jantuah (28-1, 18 KOs). Ouma is from Uganda and Jantuah is from Ghana, making this the first significant title fight in recent memory to be contested between two Africans. Both men are quality fighters, but Ouma has been established as a 5-to-2 favorite. This observer rates the bout a toss-up.

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The first fight card of the year in Manhattan takes place on Friday night when Broadway Boxing returns to the Manhattan Center.

In the main event, undefeated Israeli heavyweight Roman Greenberg (17-0, 12 KOs) takes on Marcus Magee (12-5, 6 KOs) in an eight-round heavyweight bout. The 22-year-old Greenberg is still learning his craft and has yet to fully mature physically. But his fast hands and defensive skills should be enough to see him to victory.

The undercard features a bevy of local fighters, including knockout artist Curtis Stevens (4-0, 4 KOs), who’s scheduled for a six-round mismatch against DeAndre McCole (4-9-3, 0 KOs) at 168 pounds. Jaidon Codrington (6-0, 6 KOs) goes against Glen Rayburn (13-3-1, 8 KOs) in an eight round super middleweight contest.

Other matchups include Gary Stark, Jr. (10-0, 5 KO’s) vs. Luis Rivera (8-8, 2 KO’s), Andre Berto (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Edgar Galvan (1-2-1, 1 KO), Sam Elashry (4-3, 1 KO) vs. Mark Miller (4-5-1, 2 KOs), and Washington Hago (making his pro debut) vs. Michael Mendez (0-1-1).

The Manhattan Center is located at 311 West 34th St. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. The first fight is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are priced at $100, $75, $50, and $35, and can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling 212-947-2577.

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As expected, Floyd Mayweather Jr. cruised to victory with an eighth-round knockout of Henry Bruseles last weekend. Mayweather’s speed dominated the early rounds, and his power dictated that there were no late ones. He won every minute of every round and outlanded Bruseles 219-82.

In the opening contest, Nigerian heavyweight Sam Peter knocked Cuban expatriate Yanqui Diaz down five times en route to a fifth-round stoppage. Peter is a big strong guy with limited boxing skills, and Diaz looked awful.

HBO televises a lot of good fights, but the cable giant seems to start each year with a lemon. This was the network’s worst fight card since January 31,2004,when it subjected viewers to Rafael Marquez versus Pete Frissina and Antonio Margarito against Hercules Kyvelos.