Buddy McGirt

James "Buddy" McGirt (born January 17, 1964) is a boxing trainer and former boxer. He was born in Brentwood, New York.

Professional boxing career

In 1988, McGirt defeated Frankie Warren, avenging his only defeat, to win the IBF world junior welterweight title. In his second defense, he lost the title to Meldrick Taylor. Three years later, he upset Simon Brown to win the WBC world welterweight title.

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, McGirt retired with a record of 73-6-1 (48 KOs).

Career as a boxing trainer

After his great career as a boxer ended, he became and still is a great trainer. McGirt, considered to be one of the best trainers in the world, trains many good fighters, including Dyayrrion Jones, Antonio Tarver, Timo Hoffmann, Mads Larsen, Paulie Malignaggi, James McGirt Jr., Brian Mihtar, and A'Kaytai Lionking Jones. He has recently taken some UK boxers under his wing and currently trains 3 English fighters, Paul Smith, Matthew Macklin, and Audley Harrison, and according to some UK media the new trainer of Amir Khan. He won the Boxing Writers' Association of America Trainer of the Year Award for 2002.

Many of his high-profile fights ended up in defeats for his fighters, including Lamon Brewster who lost his WBO title and then lost his rematch with Wladimir Klitschko. (IBF champion), Antonio Tarver. (Light Heavyweight championship) who lost to Bernard Hopkins and Arturo Gatti who got knocked out by Floyd Mayweather Jr., Carlos Baldomir. and, in the final fight of Gatti's career, The Contender alumnus Alfonso Gomez. However, McGirt did have success training former welterweight champion Vernon Forrest to a lopsided win against Carlos Baldomir on July 28, 2007. Also with Auturo Gatti and Antonio tarver.

His son, James McGirt Jr., is also a professional boxer.

McGirt also trains Kurt Pellegrino's boxing, his first venture into MMA.

See also

* List of WBC world champions
* Notable boxing families

External links

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