Mayor Wayne Smith and former world welterweight champion James “Buddy” McGirt shared words of wisdom to a crowd of about 100 children at Irvington’s Chris Gatling Recreation Center on Thursday, August 3, 2006.

 

McGirt’s 80-fight professional career, which boasts 73 wins—48 of which were by knockout—peaked in 1991, when he won the WBC welterweight championship.

 

McGirt overcame serious injuries, the premature ending of his career and consequent financial losses to re-establish himself as a first-class boxing trainer. His success is a rare departure from the norm, in which great boxers make mediocre trainers. McGirt trains some of the sport’s top contenders, including Arturo Gatti, Antonio Traver and Nate Campbell. In 2002, the Boxing Writers’ Association of America bestowed McGirt with the Trainer of the Year Award.

 

Following the presentations, the mayor showed the center’s boxing ring to McGirt, who shared his techniques with local fighters. At-Large Council Member Andrea C. McElroy later hosted a reception for McGirt at the Waris Cultural Center.

 

Former world middleweight Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins visited Irvington last year.

 

 

 

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