Buddy McGirt
McGirt warms up on pads at the 2013 Arnold Expo
Born
James Walter McGirt

(1964-01-17) January 17, 1964
Brentwood, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesBuddy
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 6+1⁄2 in (169 cm)[1]
Reach70+1⁄2 in (179 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights80
Wins73
Wins by KO48
Losses6
Draws1

James Walter "Buddy" McGirt (born January 17, 1964) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1982 to 1997, and has since worked as a boxing trainer. He held world championships in two weight classes, including the IBF junior welterweight title in 1988, and the WBC and lineal welterweight titles from 1991 to 1993.

As a trainer he has worked with multiple world champions, including Arturo Gatti, Antonio Tarver, Hasim Rahman, Paulie Malignaggi, and Sergey Kovalev. McGirt was named Trainer of the Year for 2002 by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He is currently coaching WBO middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly.

Professional boxing career

McGirt's aspirations of becoming a professional boxer existed at a young age."They said I was too small," McGirt says now. "They said I couldn't do it. I said I could. I said I'd be the first world champion from Long Island - so the guy they said couldn't do it is the one who did it."[2] Fulfilling this childhood dream, he did so with a vengeance, turning professional in the year 1983, the year he graduated from Brentwood High School.

In 1988, McGirt defeated Frankie Warren, avenging what was at that time his only defeat, to win the IBF light welterweight title.[3] In his second defense, he lost the title to Meldrick Taylor.[4]

In November 1991, he defeated Simon Brown to win the Lineal and WBC welterweight titles.[5][6]

Buddy was a scrappy, talented fighter who had an outstanding career in the ring. He defeated men such as Simon Brown, Livingstone Bramble, Saoul Mamby, Edwin Curet, Howard Davis Jr., Frankie Warren, Tony Baltazar, Gennaro Leon, Patrizio Oliva, Gary Jacobs, Tommy Ayers, Willie Rodriguez, Ralph Twinning, Buck Smith, Kevin Pompey, Rafael Williams, John Senegal, Eric Martin, Joe Manley, Tyrone Moore, Nick Rupa, Joe Gatti and George Heckley. [7]

At the beginning of 1993, McGirt was the world's top-ranked 147-pound boxer, one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world; but in the first week starting off the year he tore up his left shoulder while training. Without his money punch, the left hook, he had to box virtually one-handed for a total of 24 rounds in two championship fights. He won the first fight, but he lost his title in the second. McGirt lost the title to Pernell Whitaker in 1993.[8] The following year, he again lost to Whitaker in an attempt to regain the title.

In 1997, he retired with a record of 73-6-1 (48 KOs).

McGirt was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame on Long Island in the Boxing Category with the Class of 1992. He was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998 and inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019.

Training career

Following his retirement from the ring, McGirt worked as a trainer.[9] His first champion was Byron Mitchell, who he started training six days before beating Manny Siaca for the WBA super middleweight title. McGirt would take up training full-time and became committed to the challenge of preparing other boxers to step into the ring. "Anybody can train but not many people can teach," McGirt said. "And that's what boxing is missing now—teachers. There are not many old-school trainers around."[9] McGirt won the Boxing Writers' Association of America Trainer of the Year Award for 2002.

McGirt's son, James McGirt Jr., is also a professional boxer. McGirt also trained Kurt Pellegrino's boxing, his first venture into MMA, and trained heavyweight boxer Taishan Dong.[10]

Buddy was trained and managed by Al Certo and Stuart Weiner. McGirt, and some of the fighters he trained are documented in the book "Bring it to the Ring: A Boxing Yearbook and Inspirational Message to Today's Youths." The book was published in 2005.

Buddy was interviewed in 2018 by Darren Carter on the "Pocket Party Podcast" that is available on iTunes, YouTube, Stitcher, and Anchor.

McGirt also began training Sergey Kovalev for his rematch against Eleider Alvarez (who knocked out Kovalev in 7th round in the 1st fight) and led him to a unanimous decision win with 116–112 on 2 cards and 120–108 on the 3rd.

Professional boxing record

80 fights 73 wins 6 losses
By knockout 48 2
By decision 25 4
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
80 Loss 73–6–1 Darren Maciunski UD 10 Jan 21, 1997 Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
79 Win 73–5–1 Jerry Smith PTS 10 Dec 16, 1996 Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.
78 Win 72–5–1 Kevin Tillman UD 12 Oct 25, 1996 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S. Won vacant IBC light middleweight title
77 Win 71–5–1 Earl Jackson KO 3 Sep 26, 1996 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
76 Win 70–5–1 George Heckley UD 10 Aug 12, 1996 City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
75 Win 69–5–1 Allen Watts SD 10 Jun 12, 1996 Trump World's Fair, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
74 Win 68–5–1 Israel Figueroa TKO 3 (8) May 10, 1996 Suffolk Downs, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
73 Loss 67–5–1 Andrew Council TKO 9 (10), 2:25 Sep 30, 1995 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
72 Win 66–4–1 John Stewart TKO 5 (10) Jul 18, 1995 Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S.
71 Win 66–4–1 Joe Gatti TKO 5 (10), 1:44 May 7, 1995 Grand Theatre, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
70 Win 65–4–1 Buck Smith UD 10 Jan 10, 1995 Pontchartrain Center, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
69 Loss 64–4–1 Pernell Whitaker UD 12 Oct 1, 1994 Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. For WBC welterweight title
68 Win 64–3–1 Kevin Pompey SD 10 Aug 7, 1994 Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S.
67 Win 63–3–1 Kevin Pompey UD 10 Jun 28, 1994 Meadowlands Convention Center, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
66 Win 62–3–1 Livingstone Bramble UD 12 Apr 9, 1994 Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
65 Win 61–3–1 James Hughes UD 10 Jan 4, 1994 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
64 Win 60–3–1 Nick Rupa UD 10 Nov 2, 1993 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
63 Loss 59–3–1 Pernell Whitaker UD 12 Mar 6, 1993 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost WBC welterweight title
62 Win 59–2–1 Genaro Léon UD 12 Jan 12, 1993 Paramount Theater, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBC welterweight title
61 Win 58–2–1 Oscar Ponce UD 10 Aug 14, 1992 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
60 Win 57–2–1 Patrizio Oliva UD 12 Jun 25, 1992 Acquaflash, Licola, Italy Retained WBC welterweight title
59 Win 56–2–1 Delfino Marin TKO 7 (10), 1:55 May 2, 1992 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
58 Win 55–2–1 Simon Brown UD 12 Nov 29, 1991 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won WBC welterweight title
57 Win 54–2–1 Alfredo Ramirez TKO 5 (10), 3:00 Oct 4, 1991 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
56 Win 53–2–1 Tyrone Moore TKO 7 (10), 2:08 Jun 15, 1991 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
55 Win 52–2–1 Frank Montgomery TKO 9 (10) Mar 22, 1991 Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S.
54 Win 51–2–1 Joseph Alexander TKO 9 (10), 2:40 Jan 19, 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
53 Win 50–2–1 Jose Leonard Bermudez UD 10 Jul 22, 1990 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
52 Win 49–2–1 Charles Baez TKO 2 (10), 2:45 May 25, 1990 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
51 Win 48–2–1 Tommy Ayers TKO 2 (10) Mar 31, 1990 Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
50 Win 47–2–1 Miguel Santana TKO 2 (10) Jan 26, 1990 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
49 Win 46–2–1 Rafael Williams UD 10 Dec 7, 1989 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
48 Win 45–2–1 Joe Manley TKO 9 (10), 2:59 Nov 10, 1989 Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S.
47 Win 44–2–1 Gary Jacobs UD 10 Aug 27, 1989 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
46 Win 43–2–1 Tony Baltazar UD 10 Jul 9, 1989 Imperial Resort Hotel, Brookhaven, New York, U.S.
45 Win 42–2–1 Orlando Orozco KO 5 (10), 0:21 May 25, 1989 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
44 Win 41–2–1 Edwin Curet UD 10 Mar 16, 1989 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
43 Win 40–2–1 Willie Taylor UD 10 Feb 17, 1989 Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S.
42 Win 39–2–1 Manuel De Leon TKO 6 (10), 0:29 Jan 12, 1989 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
41 Loss 38–2–1 Meldrick Taylor TKO 12 (12), 2:00 Sep 3, 1988 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Lost IBF light welterweight title
40 Win 38–1–1 Howard Davis Jr. KO 1 (15), 2:45 Jul 31, 1988 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained IBF light welterweight title
39 Win 37–1–1 Frankie Warren TKO 12 (15), 1:32 Feb 14, 1988 Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. Won vacant IBF light welterweight title
38 Win 36–1–1 John Sinegal TKO 1 (10), 1:54 Dec 17, 1987 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
37 Win 35–1–1 Eduardo Lugo KO 3 (10) Oct 1, 1987 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
36 Win 34–1–1 Roger Brown KO 5 (10), 1:05 Aug 6, 1987 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
35 Win 33–1–1 Sergio Aguirre KO 2 (10), 2:28 Jun 18, 1987 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 32–1–1 Vincent Releford TKO 12 (12), 2:59 Apr 24, 1987 Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
33 Win 31–1–1 Eric Martin UD 10 Jan 29, 1987 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 30–1–1 Joe Edens TKO 8 (10), 2:54 Jan 6, 1987 Premier Center, Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S.
31 Win 29–1–1 Saoul Mamby UD 10 Sep 25, 1986 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
30 Loss 28–1–1 Frankie Warren UD 10 Jul 20, 1986 Bayfront Plaza Convention Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
29 Win 28–0–1 Rudy Fuentes TKO 8 (10), 2:19 Jun 23, 1986 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
28 Win 27–0–1 Ricky Young TKO 10 (10), 0:50 May 20, 1986 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
27 Win 26–0–1 Kelly Koble TKO 4 (10) Apr 11, 1986 Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
26 Win 25–0–1 Dave Odem TKO 1 (10), 2:09 Mar 10, 1986 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Hempstead, New York, U.S.
25 Win 24–0–1 Joey Ferrell UD 10 Feb 21, 1986 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 23–0–1 Sugar Boy Nando TKO 5 (12) Dec 21, 1985 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
23 Win 22–0–1 Jose Luis Alejandro TKO 7 (10), 1:26 Oct 4, 1985 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 21–0–1 Willie Rodriguez TKO 7 (10), 1:35 Aug 29, 1985 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
21 Win 20–0–1 Ralph Twinning TKO 1 (10), 1:02 Jul 11, 1985 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 19–0–1 Allen Braswell UD 10 May 24, 1985 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
19 Win 18–0–1 Mike Blunt KO 1 Mar 8, 1985 Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
18 Win 17–0–1 Felix Nance TKO 9 (10), 1:58 Dec 14, 1984 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Hempstead, New York, U.S.
17 Win 16–0–1 Manuel Toribio KO 3 (10), 1:40 Jul 12, 1984 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
16 Win 15–0–1 Pete Padilla TKO 10 (10), 1:07 May 25, 1984 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
15 Win 14–0–1 Jake Torrance TKO 6 (10), 3:00 Mar 30, 1984 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
14 Win 13–0–1 Felix Nance TKO 2 (10), 1:36 Feb 17, 1984 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 12–0–1 Chi Chi Hernandez TKO 2 (10), 1:33 Dec 9, 1983 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Win 11–0–1 Larry Fleming TKO 3 (10), 2:26 Sep 30, 1983 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Win 10–0–1 Leslie Toney TKO 1 (10) Sep 6, 1983 Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10 Win 9–0–1 Darnell Smith TKO 1 May 26, 1983 Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
9 Win 8–0–1 Tom Dietz TKO 3 Apr 21, 1983 Symphony Hall, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 7–0–1 Cesar Guzman PTS 6 Feb 16, 1983 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.
7 Win 6–0–1 Dave Bolden KO 5 Dec 30, 1982 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
6 Win 5–0–1 Michael Clark TKO 1 Nov 7, 1982 The Great Gorge Playboy Club Hotel, Vernon, New Jersey, U.S.
5 Win 4–0–1 Ramon Rivera KO 1 (4) Sep 30, 1982 Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
4 Win 3–0–1 Michael Evans KO 1 Sep 21, 1982 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 2–0–1 Michael Palms KO 2 (4) Aug 7, 1982 Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2 Win 1–0–1 Michael Palms TKO 3 (4) Mar 22, 1982 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1 Draw 0–0–1 Lamont Haithcoach PTS 4 Mar 2, 1982 Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 HBO Sports tale of the tape prior to the Pernell Whitaker rematch.
  2. ↑ Myers, Donald. "The summer of sweat buddy mcgirt, brentwood's dethroned welterweight, fights his way back". Newsday. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  3. ↑ Archives, L. A. Times (1988-02-15). "James (Buddy) McGirt battered hometown favorite Frankie..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  4. ↑ Christie, Matt (2020-09-03). "On This Day: Meldrick Taylor dazzles against Buddy McGirt to win his first world title". Boxing News. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  5. ↑ Big Win For Little Mac, Sports Illustrated, December 9, 1991
  6. ↑ "Reading Eagle - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  7. ↑ https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/456
  8. ↑ THE SUMMER OF SWEAT: BUDDY MCGIRT, BRENTWOOD'S DETHRONED WELTERWEIGHT, FIGHTS HIS WAY BACK, Newsday, September 7, 1993
  9. 1 2 Cassidy, R. "BOXING / McGirt starts his training career on top". Newsday. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  10. ↑ Campbell, Brian (17 February 2015). "The sky is the limit for Taishan". ESPN. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
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