Boxing360 is launching its initial debate of the week. Each week we will choose a topic past or current in boxing. We will look to get feedback from you the followers to get an idea of the overall opinion on the subject. There is no right or wrong answer. It’s strictly based on how each person views the subject.
Our first week were going go with the topic of hall of fame worthy or not. We’re selecting someone from boxing who is not in the hall of fame but on paper has credentials that seem to be on par with others who are already in. We have decided to go with former fighter and now trainer James Walter “Buddy” McGirt . This one is a little bit tricky because McGirt has established himself as a world class trainer as well. Which brings up another interesting discussion. Freddie Roach was an exciting fighter but not on the world championship level that McGirt made it to. Roach did totally revolutionize the trainer role in boxing. This was spearheaded by his success as head trainer of Manny Pacquiao. In all fairness under Roach Pacquiao became a much more complete and eventually an elite fighter. Roach numbers as a trainer outshine those of McGirt’s.
Let us look at the numbers. McGirt retired with a final professional record of (73-6-1,48 KOs). The fact that he won 73 fights alone is mind boggling. Then that winning percentage in 80 total fights at the highest level of boxing is unheard of today. As a fighter McGirt fought in a very exciting decade of the 80’s and also the 90’s. He is a two division world champion have won it at 140 and 147. He was also was the lineal champion at welterweight and considered at one time pound for pound best at the weight. He was also on the best pound for pound list in the world at that time.
McGirt’s resume as a trainer is quite impressive as well. He trained Byron Mitchell for less than a week when Mitchell stopped Manny Siaca by knockout to win the WBA Super middleweight title. It was McGirt who trained Antonio Tarver to his two wins over Roy Jones Jr. The first win ever was a huge underdog to then pound for pound king Jones Jr. McGirt trained the late Vernon Forest to win the WBC Super Welterweight twice. McGirt helped completely rejuvenate the career of the late Arturo Gatti where Gatti was boxing much more instead of slugging and won a world title with McGirt. in 2002 McGirt won the trainer of the year award.
Should McGirt be inducted in the international Hall of Fame is the question. If so as a fighter, ,trainer, or both. He has been retired as a fighter for more than 18 years. When thinking this over please keep in mind the other names that are in already in the Hall of Fame with similar statistics. It seems like McGirt is invited to the international boxing hall of fame annually as a guest. Let the debate begin.
Yes he should be in as a fighter.
Buddy Is without question a HOF worthy candidate off of his boxing alone!
He should definitely be considered for both!! Absolutely!
Amazing boxer and great coach !
Bud was a throwback…73 wins ??!!Are you kidding me…It was a privlidge to watch this man fight….Whitaker,Bramble,Brown,Taylor,Howard Davis Jr….Bud fought everyone….He was an example of why we love the sport…HE LOVED the sport,and it showed…In the 80’s & early 90’s New York boxing was Buddy Mcgirt….Just his record,and activity alone would make a true boxing fan not even question,but DEMAND that THIS is the type fighter we want in the Hall…..This is not about Politics,but love of the sport.There are many fighters after they retire that leave the sport…Bud is not one of these guys….Not only did he train the fighter that fought in the fight of OUR lifetime,Arturo Gatti…But he brought out the best in ever fighter he has trained since…Tarver over Roy Jones JR in his prime was not a miracle,But the training by an Artist with gloves….I know there were many wonderful fighters……but to say Buddy Mcgirt is not a Hall of Famer is a dishonor to the sport.
His career speaks for itself, but who he is as a person completes his legacy.
Compare Buddy’s record as a fighter and trainer, and ask yourself whether this is even a legitimate subject for debate. Buddy is IBHOF qualified in both capacities…….
Yes James Buddy McGirt should be in the hall of fame why he’s not already is good question. The numbers he put up is some thing that is missing in the world of boxing today. The fighters today are fighting opponents who are good for their careers rather then who can prove their moxy in the ring and every time McGirt got in got in that ring James McGirt proved his moxy. Now if we are talking numbers how about James McGirts amateur fighting record of 54-9, so combined with his professional record he’s won more then he’s lost. Now was James McGirt a titan? No not at all but he is a fighter with moxy which is rare thing to see in a fighter. When you think of fighters in the hall of fame you always think of those who took on adversity and won and James McGirt is that caliber of a fighter.
Buddy Mcgurt’s record speaks for itself. Buddy fought the best, trained some of the best and brought many boxers to the next level. Without question has earned and deserves both!!
Buddy McGirt’s record speaks for itself. Buddy has fought the best, trained some of the best and brought many fighters to the next level. Without question has earned and deserves both!
“I have learned from the Best”
I think for both his numbers speak for its self
As a Boxer for sure his record Many wins before his 1st lost ,like Julio Caesar Chavez 89 winning streak, and they make a big deal about fmj record,try goin over 80 fights before 1loss, Freddie Roach led pac to many big wins,over the greats Hatton ,mosley,cotto, Barrera,Morales, Marquez,&way larger fighters like,Delahoya, Margarito,shows hes versitile against moving up to different divisions.Pac is the only fighter 8 titles n 8 different Divisions,hes a superstar from the very bottom of the Philippines made it to the Tippy Top
As a trainer NO! ONLY BEATIN ROY JONES ISNT ENOUGH GATTI WOULD START OUT BOXING N WOULD JUST RESORT BACK TO HIS NATURAL INSTINKS ,IT JUST WOULDNT LAST,EVEN THAT NOT ENOUGH TO COMPARE HIM TO ROACH,AND ROACH ALSO MADE COTTO,PLUS MANY MMA FIGHTERS ,ARLOVSKI,HARDY,TITO ORTIZ,ANDERSON SILVA, BJ PENN ,GEORGE ST-PIERRE,FEDOR,TO HELP W THERE BOXING PPL GO TO HIM , BETTER,AS A FIGHTER YES
Instincts
I grew up watching him fight his career speaks for itself had the pleasure of meeting him and consider him as a real deal down to earth kind of guy. His induction to the Hall Of Fame will add to his outstanding life as a boxer, trainer, family man and friend. Good luck Buddy McGirt
Yes to all of the above!!!! His career as boxer and trainer speaks for its self not to mention he’s an amazing person to KNOW!!! He’s the most positive person I know in and out of the ring.
Debate? What debate? There shouldn’t be any debate Buddy Mcgirt deserves and should have been inducted in the hall of fame years ago. End this madness and vote him in #teammcgirt
Numbers don’t lie
vote him in
Buddy Mcgirt is a hall of famer
Met him years ago on New York’s lower east side. He exemplified the ideals of a true champion. He was charismatic, informative, friendly and overall a total gentleman to me and my family. He definitely carries himself as a true champion both in the ring and as a great trainer. To keep him out of the hall would be an injustice.
Masterful boxer/puncher. His ability to slip a punch and be in position to counter was a work of art.
It’s a shame he’s not in the hall of fame as a boxer…