VERO BEACH, Florida (January 29, 2008) – Unbeaten super middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (18-0, 9 KOs) and his father/trainer, James “Buddy” McGirt (73-6-1, 48 KOs), former two-time world champion and 2002 Trainer of the Year, are on a special mission together..
The McGirts, born and raised in Brentwood (NY) but now living and training in Vero Beach (FL), are trying to become what is believed to be the first family in boxing to feature father-son world champions with the former working his “blood” son’s corner as head trainer when the latter captures a major world title.
Two-time world heavyweight title-holder (1956-59, 1960-62) Floyd Patterson was the head trainer of his adopted son, Tracy Harris Patterson, who won the world super bantamweight (1992-94) and super featherweight champ (1995).
“That’s our mission,” James explained. “Even though we train everyday for my next fight, becoming world champion has never left my side. We’re working hard to make history. Without a doubt I’m preparing to be world champion. My father was a world champion and I’ve sparred with many world champions. Those experiences have helped me so much; I feed off of it. I haven’t won a world title but being around the sport for so long, I’ve been surrounded by world champions and top contenders. I’ve loved boxing since I was a little kid.”
McGirt has gradually moved up in the ratings, currently No. 26 in the WBC, as well as No. 8 by the USBA, No. 9 by the NABF, No. 14 by the NABO and No. 15 by the NABA.
“I’m in the gym sparring with world champions and, even though I know sparring isn’t like fighting, I hold my own,” James added. “I’m strong, calm and relaxed. Making 168 (pounds) is so much easier than fighting as a middleweight. The extra 5-8 pounds makes it so much easier on my body. I’ll be fighting 10-rounders this year and I should get a title shot next year. My father and I are going to make history.”
McGirt’s manager, Dennis Witherow, believes James will make history. “If you watch these two (James and Buddy) in the training and spend time with them in the gym,” Witherow remarked,” you can feel something special. “We have put together Team McGirt like a business plan. We’ve found the best chemistry for all facets of this business. It started with us find the right promoter, Lou DiBella, who has been great helping us guide us to where we need to be. We have the right chemistry in our corner for each and every fight. As part of our plan, we now have James working with a strength-and-conditioning coach.
“Then, of course, you have Buddy as James’ head trainer. I want to repeat that – Buddy is James’ trainer. Yes, he is his father, but in the gym and in this sport, Buddy knows his job is to train his fighters to the best of their ability. That is exactly what he does with James. In this sport there is a tremendous value when a trainer can identify the natural talents of his fighter and then expand as well as build those talents. Buddy has done that with James, who is a very talented boxer. He has great boxing skills and also the ability to identify the weaknesses of his opponents. James didn’t enter this sport with those abilities; he learned them from his trainer, Buddy McGirt. Our team realizes what each of our jobs is and the rest is up to James. Do I believe James and Buddy will make boxing history? Yes, without a doubt.”
McGirt, who feels that his next fight will be in mid-March on national television, plans on making boxing history with his dad, Buddy.