Mike Safo with Buddy McGirt, Former Boxing World Champion, Hall of Famer & Trainer
Tue Nov 18 2025
Joined today by former junior welterweight & welterweight world champion, Hall of Famer, and legendary boxing trainer Buddy McGirt. Buddy talks about what brought him to London, training fighters around the world, and what he misses most about living in Florida. We dive growing up in Brentwood, Long Island, famously starting boxing at age 12, and how his head size convinced him football wasn’t the move. He shares which fighters he tried to emulate, how borrowing boxing magazines and books helped shape a young James “Buddy” McGirt, and how the OGs in Brentwood kept him on track and out of trouble. Buddy reflects on turning pro at 18, traveling three hours a day to New Jersey for training, being 26–0 while fighting on the Tyson vs. Mitch Green undercard, and watching a young “Iron” Mike Tyson in action, realizing he was seeing something special. He opens up about dealing with his first loss to Frankie Warren, the 18-month grind to their rematch, and finally capturing the title in Texas—so focused he didn’t even stop to appreciate it. We talk about losing the belt to Meldrick Taylor, moving up in weight, and shocking the world as a 10–1 underdog by beating Simon Brown. Buddy shares stories about his titles, injuries, and his legendary fights with Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker. After more than 5,400 days as a pro fighter, Buddy reveals when he knew it was time to hang up the gloves, how he transitioned into training, what he looks for in a boxer, and the difference between fighters then and now. We get into the famous Antonio Tarver vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight, what he does with his corner gear, and the emotional story behind getting the call that he was being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame—a dream that meant the world to him and his late mother. Buddy also talks about how Don King literally saved his life, clears up rumors about his past, and sets the record straight on that dinner with John Gotti and Sammy “The Bull” Gravano. All that plus the fight he wishes he could’ve seen live, why he hates treadmill running, life as a proud grandfather and soccer dad, and much more. Follow Buddy McGirt on Instagram and check out his official merch—links below!
https://www.instagram.com/buddymcgirtboxing/
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Joined today by former junior welterweight & welterweight world champion, Hall of Famer, and legendary boxing trainer Buddy McGirt. Buddy talks about what brought him to London, training fighters around the world, and what he misses most about living in Florida. We dive growing up in Brentwood, Long Island, famously starting boxing at age 12, and how his head size convinced him football wasn’t the move. He shares which fighters he tried to emulate, how borrowing boxing magazines and books helped shape a young James “Buddy” McGirt, and how the OGs in Brentwood kept him on track and out of trouble. Buddy reflects on turning pro at 18, traveling three hours a day to New Jersey for training, being 26–0 while fighting on the Tyson vs. Mitch Green undercard, and watching a young “Iron” Mike Tyson in action, realizing he was seeing something special. He opens up about dealing with his first loss to Frankie Warren, the 18-month grind to their rematch, and finally capturing the title in Texas—so focused he didn’t even stop to appreciate it. We talk about losing the belt to Meldrick Taylor, moving up in weight, and shocking the world as a 10–1 underdog by beating Simon Brown. Buddy shares stories about his titles, injuries, and his legendary fights with Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker. After more than 5,400 days as a pro fighter, Buddy reveals when he knew it was time to hang up the gloves, how he transitioned into training, what he looks for in a boxer, and the difference between fighters then and now. We get into the famous Antonio Tarver vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight, what he does with his corner gear, and the emotional story behind getting the call that he was being inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame—a dream that meant the world to him and his late mother. Buddy also talks about how Don King literally saved his life, clears up rumors about his past, and sets the record straight on that dinner with John Gotti and Sammy “The Bull” Gravano. All that plus the fight he wishes he could’ve seen live, why he hates treadmill running, life as a proud grandfather and soccer dad, and much more. Follow Buddy McGirt on Instagram and check out his official merch—links below! https://www.instagram.com/buddymcgirtboxing/