Buddy McGirt


James Walter "Buddy" McGirt is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1982 to 1997, and has since worked as a boxing trainer. He was a world champion in two weight classes, having held 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.

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." 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. In his second defense, he lost the title to Meldrick Taylor.
In November 1991, he defeated Simon Brown to win the Lineal and WBC welterweight titles.
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, 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.
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. 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.
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 with up-and-coming young fighters as a trainer. His first protégé was Byron Mitchell, whom he led to victory against Manny Siaca for the WBA super middleweight title. The fight ended with a Mitchell hook to the body, followed with a quick hook to the head to knock Siaca out. 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." 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.
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 and led him to a Unanimous Decision Win with 116-112 on 2 cards and 120-108 on the 3rd.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
80Loss73–6–1Darren MaciunskiUD10Jan 21, 1997Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
79Win73–5–1Jerry SmithPTS10Dec 16, 1996Fort Collins, Colorado, U.S.
78Win72–5–1Kevin TillmanUD12Oct 25, 1996Casino Magic, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, U.S.Won vacant IBC light middleweight title
77Win71–5–1Earl JacksonKO3Sep 26, 1996Denver, Colorado, U.S.
76Win70–5–1George HeckleyUD10Aug 12, 1996City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
75Win69–5–1Allen WattsSD10Jun 12, 1996Trump World's Fair, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
74Win68–5–1Israel FigueroaTKO3 May 10, 1996Suffolk Downs, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
73Loss67–5–1Andrew CouncilTKO9, 2:25Sep 30, 1995Bally's Park Place, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
72Win66–4–1John StewartTKO5 Jul 18, 1995Medieval Times, Lyndhurst, New Jersey, U.S.
71Win66–4–1Joe GattiTKO5, 1:44May 7, 1995Grand Theatre, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
70Win65–4–1Buck SmithUD10Jan 10, 1995Pontchartrain Center, Kenner, Louisiana, U.S.
69Loss64–4–1Pernell WhitakerUD12Oct 1, 1994Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.For WBC and lineal welterweight titles
68Win64–3–1Kevin Pompey10Aug 7, 1994Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S.
67Win63–3–1Kevin PompeyUD10Jun 28, 1994Meadowlands Convention Center, Secaucus, New Jersey, U.S.
66Win62–3–1Livingstone BrambleUD12Apr 9, 1994Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
65Win61–3–1James HughesUD10Jan 4, 1994War Memorial Auditorium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
64Win60–3–1Nick RupaUD10Nov 2, 1993Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
63Loss59–3–1Pernell WhitakerUD12Mar 6, 1993Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Lost WBC and lineal welterweight titles
62Win59–2–1Genaro LéonUD12Jan 12, 1993Paramount Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained WBC and lineal welterweight titles
61Win58–2–1Oscar PonceUD10Aug 14, 1992Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
60Win57–2–1Patrizio OlivaUD12Jun 25, 1992Acquaflash, Licola, ItalyRetained WBC and lineal welterweight titles
59Win56–2–1Delfino MarinTKO7, 1:55May 2, 1992Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
58Win55–2–1Simon BrownUD12Nov 29, 1991The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won WBC and lineal welterweight titles
57Win54–2–1Alfredo RamirezTKO5, 3:00Oct 4, 1991Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
56Win53–2–1Tyrone MooreTKO7, 2:08Jun 15, 1991Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
55Win52–2–1Frank MontgomeryTKO9 Mar 22, 1991Villa Roma Resort, Callicoon, New York, U.S.
54Win51–2–1Joseph AlexanderTKO9, 2:40Jan 19, 1991Convention 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, 2:45May 25, 1990Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
51Win48–2–1Tommy AyersTKO2 Mar 31, 1990Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
50Win47–2–1Miguel SantanaTKO2 Jan 26, 1990Steel 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, 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, 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, 1989Mid-Hudson Civic Center, Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S.
42Win39–2–1Manuel De LeonTKO6, 0:29Jan 12, 1989Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
41Loss38–2–1Meldrick TaylorTKO12, 2:00Sep 3, 1988Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Lost IBF light welterweight title
40Win38–1–1Howard Davis Jr.KO1, 2:45Jul 31, 1988Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained IBF light welterweight title
39Win37–1–1Frankie WarrenTKO12, 1:32Feb 14, 1988Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.Won vacant IBF light welterweight title
38Win36–1–1John SinegalTKO1, 1:54Dec 17, 1987Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
37Win35–1–1Eduardo LugoKO3 Oct 1, 1987Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
36Win34–1–1Roger BrownKO5, 1:05Aug 6, 1987Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
35Win33–1–1Sergio AguirreKO2, 2:28Jun 18, 1987Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
34Win32–1–1Vincent RelefordTKO12, 2:59Apr 24, 1987Empire 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, 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, 1986Bayfront Plaza Convention Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
29Win28–0–1Rudy FuentesTKO8, 2:19Jun 23, 1986Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
28Win27–0–1Ricky YoungTKO10, 0:50May 20, 1986Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
27Win26–0–1Kelly KobleTKO4 Apr 11, 1986Memorial Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
26Win25–0–1Dave OdemTKO1, 2:09Mar 10, 1986Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Hempstead, New York, U.S.
25Win24–0–1Joey FerrellUD10Feb 21, 1986Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win23–0–1Sugar Boy NandoTKO5 Dec 21, 1985Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas light welterweight title
23Win22–0–1Jose Luis AlejandroTKO7, 1:26Oct 4, 1985Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
22Win21–0–1Willie RodriguezTKO7, 1:35Aug 29, 1985Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
21Win20–0–1Ralph TwinningTKO1, 1:02Jul 11, 1985Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
20Win19–0–1Allen Braswell10May 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, 1:58Dec 14, 1984Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Hempstead, New York, U.S.
17Win16–0–1Manuel ToribioKO3, 1:40Jul 12, 1984Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
16Win15–0–1Pete PadillaTKO10, 1:07May 25, 1984Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
15Win14–0–1Jake TorranceTKO6, 3:00Mar 30, 1984Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
14Win13–0–1Felix NanceTKO2, 1:36Feb 17, 1984Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
13Win12–0–1Chi Chi HernandezTKO2, 1:33Dec 9, 1983Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
12Win11–0–1Larry FlemingTKO3, 2:26Sep 30, 1983Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
11Win10–0–1Leslie ToneyTKO1 Sep 6, 1983Tropicana, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win9–0–1Darnell SmithTKO1May 26, 1983Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win8–0–1Tom DietzTKO3Apr 21, 1983Symphony Hall, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win7–0–1Cesar Guzman6Feb 16, 1983Brendan 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, 1982The Great Gorge Playboy Club Hotel, Vernon, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win4–0–1Ramon RiveraKO1 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 Palms2 Aug 7, 1982Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2Win1–0–1Michael Palms3 Mar 22, 1982Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
1Draw0–0–1Lamont Haithcoach4Mar 2, 1982Embassy Hall, North Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.