by James Slater – James “Buddy” McGirt Junior certainly hasn’t wasted any time in getting back in the ring after his first career defeat. Moving down to middleweight, the 25-year-old southpaw makes his start back on July 25th in New York. Taking on tough veteran Raymond Joval of The Netherlands, McGirt Junior will be back in action a little over three months on from his heavy stoppage defeat at the hands of another “boxing junior,” in Carlos De Leon’s son..
McGirt Junior has not picked an easy fight in which to attempt to rebuild his career. Joval, though 39 years of age, is a very capable fighter – one who has been in with, and held his own against, genuine world class talent. Never stopped once in his 37-4(16) career, Joval, nicknamed “Hallelujah,” has lost decisions to both Fernando Vargas (in 2005) and Sam Soliman (in 2004) – the fight with Soliman being an IBF eliminator for the middleweight title.
Joval has also beaten a number of decent fighters. Wins over Willie Gibbs and Shannon Taylor, for example, are nothing to be sneezed at, and Joval has won his last four fights. The veteran hasn’t boxed since October of last year, though, and therefore he may not be quite as sharp as he could be when he gets in there with the 25-year-old. Not a big puncher, it is unlikely Joval will do anything like blow McGirt Junior away. But will the fighter from The Netherlands win?
McGirt Junior took quite a bad beating from De Leon Junior back in April – before being stopped in round number seven. “Buddy” did have his man down before losing, but in the end he took a number of solid headshots. It’s possible the 18-1(9) prospect will never be quite the same again. McGirt Senior, who trains his son, doesn’t think so, and it is clear he has confidence in his charge by putting him in with the tough Joval. Moving down to campaign at 160 pounds, the 6’1″ southpaw will be hoping to be stronger than he was up at super-middleweight.
It’s a risky return fight for McGirt Junior, and one he could very easily lose. Indeed, this result is what this writer predicts. Don’t look for a KO, but also don’t be surprised if the wily Joval wins a points verdict.
If, however, the likeable McGirt Junior proves the risky fight was worth taking, then more power to him.