Buddy McGirt

Last updated
Buddy McGirt
Buddy McGirt warming up at Arnold Expo.jpg
McGirt warms up on pads at the 2013 Arnold Expo
Statistics
Real nameJames Walter McGirt
Nickname(s)Buddy
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 6+1⁄2 in (169 cm) [1]
Reach70+1⁄2 in (179 cm) [1]
NationalityAmerican
Born (1964-01-17) January 17, 1964 (age 59)
Brentwood, New York, U.S.
Stance Orthodox
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.

Contents

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 fights73 wins6 losses
By knockout482
By decision254
Draws1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
80Loss73–6–1Darren MaciunskiUD10Jan 21, 1997 Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
79Win73–5–1Jerry SmithPTS10Dec 16, 1996 Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.
78Win72–5–1Kevin TillmanUD12Oct 25, 1996 Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.Won vacant IBC light middleweight title
77Win71–5–1Earl JacksonKO3Sep 26, 1996 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
76Win70–5–1George HeckleyUD10Aug 12, 1996City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
75Win69–5–1Allen WattsSD10Jun 12, 1996 Trump World's Fair, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
74Win68–5–1Israel FigueroaTKO3 (8)May 10, 1996 Suffolk Downs, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
73Loss67–5–1Andrew CouncilTKO9 (10), 2:25Sep 30, 1995 Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
72Win66–4–1John StewartTKO5 (10)Jul 18, 1995Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S.
71Win66–4–1 Joe Gatti TKO5 (10), 1:44May 7, 1995Grand Theatre, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
70Win65–4–1 Buck Smith UD10Jan 10, 1995 Pontchartrain Center, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
69Loss64–4–1 Pernell Whitaker UD12 Oct 1, 1994 Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.For WBC welterweight title
68Win64–3–1Kevin PompeySD10Aug 7, 1994Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S.
67Win63–3–1Kevin PompeyUD10Jun 28, 1994Meadowlands Convention Center, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
66Win62–3–1 Livingstone Bramble UD12Apr 9, 1994 Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
65Win61–3–1James HughesUD10Jan 4, 1994 War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
64Win60–3–1Nick RupaUD10Nov 2, 1993Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
63Loss59–3–1 Pernell Whitaker UD12 Mar 6, 1993 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Lost WBC welterweight title
62Win59–2–1 Genaro Léon UD12Jan 12, 1993 Paramount Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained WBC welterweight title
61Win58–2–1Oscar PonceUD10Aug 14, 1992Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
60Win57–2–1 Patrizio Oliva UD12Jun 25, 1992Acquaflash, Licola, ItalyRetained WBC welterweight title
59Win56–2–1Delfino MarinTKO7 (10), 1:55May 2, 1992 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
58Win55–2–1 Simon Brown UD12Nov 29, 1991 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won WBC welterweight title
57Win54–2–1Alfredo RamirezTKO5 (10), 3:00Oct 4, 1991Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
56Win53–2–1Tyrone MooreTKO7 (10), 2:08Jun 15, 1991 Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
55Win52–2–1Frank MontgomeryTKO9 (10)Mar 22, 1991Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S.
54Win51–2–1Joseph AlexanderTKO9 (10), 2:40Jan 19, 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
53Win50–2–1Jose Leonard BermudezUD10Jul 22, 1990Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
52Win49–2–1Charles BaezTKO2 (10), 2:45May 25, 1990Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
51Win48–2–1Tommy AyersTKO2 (10)Mar 31, 1990 Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
50Win47–2–1Miguel SantanaTKO2 (10)Jan 26, 1990 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
49Win46–2–1Rafael WilliamsUD10Dec 7, 1989Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
48Win45–2–1Joe ManleyTKO9 (10), 2:59Nov 10, 1989Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S.
47Win44–2–1Gary JacobsUD10Aug 27, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
46Win43–2–1Tony BaltazarUD10Jul 9, 1989Imperial Resort Hotel, Brookhaven, New York, U.S.
45Win42–2–1Orlando OrozcoKO5 (10), 0:21May 25, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
44Win41–2–1Edwin CuretUD10Mar 16, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
43Win40–2–1Willie TaylorUD10Feb 17, 1989 Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S.
42Win39–2–1Manuel De LeonTKO6 (10), 0:29Jan 12, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
41Loss38–2–1 Meldrick Taylor TKO12 (12), 2:00Sep 3, 1988 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Lost IBF light welterweight title
40Win38–1–1 Howard Davis Jr. KO1 (15), 2:45Jul 31, 1988Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained IBF light welterweight title
39Win37–1–1Frankie WarrenTKO12 (15), 1:32Feb 14, 1988Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.Won vacant IBF light welterweight title
38Win36–1–1John SinegalTKO1 (10), 1:54Dec 17, 1987Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
37Win35–1–1Eduardo LugoKO3 (10)Oct 1, 1987Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
36Win34–1–1Roger BrownKO5 (10), 1:05Aug 6, 1987Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
35Win33–1–1Sergio AguirreKO2 (10), 2:28Jun 18, 1987Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
34Win32–1–1Vincent RelefordTKO12 (12), 2:59Apr 24, 1987 Empire State Plaza, Albany, New York, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
33Win31–1–1Eric MartinUD10Jan 29, 1987Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
32Win30–1–1Joe EdensTKO8 (10), 2:54Jan 6, 1987Premier Center, Sterling Heights, Michigan, U.S.
31Win29–1–1Saoul MambyUD10Sep 25, 1986Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
30Loss28–1–1Frankie WarrenUD10Jul 20, 1986 Bayfront Plaza Convention Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
29Win28–0–1Rudy FuentesTKO8 (10), 2:19Jun 23, 1986Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
28Win27–0–1 Ricky Young TKO10 (10), 0:50May 20, 1986 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
27Win26–0–1Kelly KobleTKO4 (10)Apr 11, 1986 Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
26Win25–0–1Dave OdemTKO1 (10), 2:09Mar 10, 1986Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Hempstead, New York, U.S.
25Win24–0–1Joey FerrellUD10Feb 21, 1986 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win23–0–1Sugar Boy NandoTKO5 (12)Dec 21, 1985 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
23Win22–0–1Jose Luis AlejandroTKO7 (10), 1:26Oct 4, 1985Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
22Win21–0–1Willie RodriguezTKO7 (10), 1:35Aug 29, 1985Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
21Win20–0–1Ralph TwinningTKO1 (10), 1:02Jul 11, 1985Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
20Win19–0–1Allen BraswellUD10May 24, 1985Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
19Win18–0–1Mike BluntKO1Mar 8, 1985Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
18Win17–0–1Felix NanceTKO9 (10), 1:58Dec 14, 1984 Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Hempstead, New York, U.S.
17Win16–0–1Manuel ToribioKO3 (10), 1:40Jul 12, 1984Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
16Win15–0–1Pete PadillaTKO10 (10), 1:07May 25, 1984Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
15Win14–0–1Jake TorranceTKO6 (10), 3:00Mar 30, 1984Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
14Win13–0–1Felix NanceTKO2 (10), 1:36Feb 17, 1984Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
13Win12–0–1Chi Chi HernandezTKO2 (10), 1:33Dec 9, 1983Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
12Win11–0–1Larry FlemingTKO3 (10), 2:26Sep 30, 1983 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
11Win10–0–1Leslie ToneyTKO1 (10)Sep 6, 1983 Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win9–0–1Darnell SmithTKO1May 26, 1983Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win8–0–1Tom DietzTKO3Apr 21, 1983 Symphony Hall, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win7–0–1Cesar GuzmanPTS6Feb 16, 1983 Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.
7Win6–0–1Dave BoldenKO5Dec 30, 1982Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win5–0–1Michael ClarkTKO1Nov 7, 1982 The Great Gorge Playboy Club Hotel, Vernon, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win4–0–1Ramon RiveraKO1 (4)Sep 30, 1982Ice World, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win3–0–1Michael EvansKO1Sep 21, 1982Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win2–0–1Michael PalmsKO2 (4)Aug 7, 1982 Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2Win1–0–1Michael PalmsTKO3 (4)Mar 22, 1982 Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1Draw0–0–1Lamont HaithcoachPTS4Mar 2, 1982Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.

See also

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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.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Gary Hinton 		WBC Continental Americas
light welterweight champion
December 21, 1985 – May 1986
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
John Montes
Vacant
Title last held by
John Montes 		WBC Continental Americas
light welterweight champion
April 24, 1987 – September 1987
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Mauricio Rodriguez
Minor world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Darrin Morris 		IBC light middleweight champion
October 25, 1996 – December 1996
Vacated		Vacant
Title next held by
Robert Frazier
Major world boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Terry Marsh 		IBF light welterweight champion
February 14, 1988 – September 3, 1988		Succeeded by
Preceded by WBC welterweight champion
November 29, 1991 – March 6, 1993		Succeeded by
Awards
Previous:
English Fisher 		BWAA Trainer of the Year
2002		Next:
Freddie Roach
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