Buddy McGirt: From World Champion to World Class Trainer
By Jeff Mayweather (January 24, 2006)
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On HBO this weekend we will be seeing a familiar face as Arturo Gatti moves up to Welterweight to face Thomas Damgaard in Atlantic City. Arturo has given us some great fights over the years and one man who has been key to his success is his trainer Buddy McGirt. Buddy has helped Gatti bring out the boxing skills he had shown in the past and it has helped remind us that there is more to Arturo than just blood and guts. Buddy has made the transition from former champion to world class trainer in the hardest of sports and it’s been great seeing him achieve that success.

I first met Buddy in late 1991 when I helped him get ready for his fight against Simon Brown at the Mirage. Buddy was fighting for the WBC Welterweight belt and it was a big fight for him. I don’t even remember how or why I helped him for that fight, because I was weighing 135 pounds at the time, but everything worked out and we gave each other some good work.

One thing that stood out about Buddy while sparring was just how crafty he really was. I always thought that he was a good fighter but he did little things in the ring that really made me appreciate how well schooled he was. I could land my jab on him from time to time but I really recall only landing one clean right hand against him throughout our sessions.

Buddy went on to beat Simon Brown by decision on November 29th, 1991, in one of his greatest wins and most complete performances as a professional. He was truly awesome that night as he captured the WBC belt.

While helping him get ready for Simon Brown I didn’t get to know him that well. I took some pictures with him and we talked but it wasn’t until he retired that I would get to really know him.

Buddy eventually ended up moving out to Vegas after his fighting career was over and I would see him everyday at Nevada Partners gym. This was roughly 8 or so years ago and at the time he seemed to be working with Tokumbo Olajide and a few other fighters. As we started being around each other more and more we began to feel more comfortable with each other, and we joked around as we developed a friendship.

I remember at the time I had access to boxing equipment and I sold a lot of it to make some cash on the side. At that times Buddy would need gloves or mitts and whenever he did, he would come to see me. Because I was always trying to sell boxing equipment on the side, Buddy called me the ‘Hustle Man’ and still does if we ever run into each other. No matter where we are at, or who he is with, Buddy will always say ‘Hey look! It’s the Hustle Man!’ or he’ll point to the person he’s with and say ‘What do you need, man? Because the Hustle Man right here has it.’

Buddy eventually ended up moving out to Florida and I don’t see him nearly as much but it’s been great for me just seeing him succeed as a world class trainer. As a former champion Buddy really knows what it’s like being in tough situations inside the ropes and his wealth of boxing knowledge is endless. He is currently one of today's most sought after trainers and for Buddy McGirt there truly has been success as a pupil and as a teacher in the sport of boxing.
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