LITTLE BUDDY: JAMES McGIRT, JR. IS STILL UNDEFEATED AND POISED TO MAKE ’08 SPECIAL
Posted on | October 22, 2007 | 2 Comments
McGirt ready to breakthrough
VERO BEACH, Florida (October 22, 2007) – Undefeated super middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (17-0, 9 KOs) plans to breakthrough in 2008 but, before he looks too far into the future, he has some unfinished business to take care of next week when he fights Canadian light heavyweight champion James “Notorious” Naugler in an eight-round co-feature on October 30 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
For McGirt, the stylish southpaw trained by his father, two-time world champion James “Buddy” McGirt, it’s the best of both worlds because he’ll be fighting in front of his friends and family in Florida, where he lives and fights out of, and his family and friends back in his native New York City can watch the fight on tape delay via promoter Lou DiBella’s “Broadway Boxing” series.
“I’m very excited about fighting in Florida,” James said. “It’s been a while since I’ve fought here (December 3, 2005). I feel great. I’ve had more time training, five weeks for this fight, compared to usually two or three weeks notice. I’m fighting a rugged, strong, always coming forward opponent. I have to be smart, focused and box. I have a lot of confidence in myself. I have experience in boxing, but not real boxing experience. I’ve been around it my whole life but I didn’t start boxing until later (19) because my father didn’t want me fighting. Now I’m getting experience in fights and I’m starting to put it all together.”
Naugler (17-6-1, 11 KOs), coming off of his Canadian title-winning performance against David Whitton (DEC10) this past June, has never been stopped and he took current WBA light heavyweight champion Chad Dawson and WBA junior middleweight title-holder Joachin Alcine the distance in their eight and four round bouts, respectively. (Naugler fought Alcine in his pro debut.)
“James is a lot better puncher than some may think,” McGirt’s manager Dennis Witherow noted. “We got him a personal trainer after his last fight and you can see and feel his added upper body strength. Everyone will see the difference when he gets in the ring. It’s going to be a good fight, a step up for James and, ideally, James’ next fight will be his first 10-rounder and next year will be big for him.”
McGirt’s name has cracked the ratings of several organizations, more with each fight, highlighted by his No. 32 position in the WBC, as well as No. 10 by the NABF and USBA, No. 14 by the NABO and No. 15 by the NABA.
“I’ve already felt a difference working with my strength coach,” McGirt concluded. “I’m so much closer to my weight than usual. That’s a big difference and I feel strong. As far as next year goes, well, I take it one fight at a time. I hope to keep winning, of course, but I train to fight and leave everything else – ratings, opponents, etc. – to Dennis and my father. Anything can happen in this sport, so I just have to take care of business in the ring.”