VERO BEACH, Florida (April 18, 2007) – Unbeaten super middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (14-0, 8 KOs), along with his father/trainer James “Buddy” McGirt in his corner, returns home to his family roots in Brentwood (NY) for a May 2nd fight on DiBella Entertainment’s “Broadway Boxing” card at the Grand Ballroom of the Manhattan Center in New York City.
McGirt (14-0, 8 KOs), a 24-year-old southpaw, faces Brad Austin (8-2, 5 KOs) in an eight-round fight. James is coming off of an impressive fourth-round TKO of middleweight Anthony Little (7-5) on February 17 at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. After that bout Team McGirt announced that James would be campaigning exclusively as a super middleweight.
The McGirts were born and raised in Brentwood but now live and train in Vero Beach, Florida. It’s a homecoming for James or “Buddy,” two-time world champion, anytime either has or works a fight in the Big Apple.
“I love just being in New York City,” James said. “I’m coming home, following in my father’s footsteps. My last two fights were there, too. I fought a tough guy in February and I got pissed off when I got cut (over the eye). I started going to his body and took his mind. I worked the right hook, straight left. I was really happy to show the crowd what I can do. Being from New York, we know so many people who call asking me for tickets. I’m just happy to be fighting as a super middleweight and not having to kill myself to take off the last 2-3 pounds (to make middleweight) anymore.”
The elder McGirt was a feared body puncher and he’s passed that invaluable skill on to his son. “I loved it when James started going downstairs on that guy,” Buddy noted. “James is 6-3 and two years ago, when he fought a kid (Freeman Taft) in Las Vegas, James just broke him down, his body punches were killing him (TKO4). You know, it took (17-0 welterweight Andre) Berto six rounds to stop Little (2005) and only four for James.”
The May 2nd bout will be McGirt’s last before becoming a 10-round fighter. Team McGirt — promoter Lou DiBella, manager Dennis Witherow and “Buddy” — has carefully and patiently moved James.
“Since signing with Lou we’ve been getting really good opportunities,” Dennis remarked. “We’re not in a hurry. As James grows, we grow as a team. I think signing with DiBella Entertainment was the right move and it’s paying off for us. James is coming on. Although he’s still young, James is one of the best boxers – pure boxing ability – in the game.”
Having cracked the ratings at No. 36 in the World Boxing Council, James McGirt, Jr. is gradually establishing his own identity, as well as making a statement about returning home to all of his family, friends, and fans in New York City.
Tickets for the May 2nd “Broadway Boxing” show, priced at $150.00, $100.00, $80.00, $60.00 and $40.00, are available by calling 212.947.2577.