THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 15, 1994 TAG: 9407150720
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker's next opponent apparently will be decided next week.
According to Home Box Office Sports executive producer Ross Greenburg, Whitaker may meet James ``Buddy'' McGirt on Oct. 1. In March 1993, Virginia Beach's Whitaker won the World Boxing Council welterweight title from McGirt.
``It looks like there is a glimmer of hope Whitaker-McGirt II may happen,'' Greenburg said. ``This is a fight we very much want and have wanted for a long time.''
But that fight happening is contingent upon another one - James Toney vs. Roy Jones - disintegrating.
According to publicist Mike Boorman of Main Events, which promotes Whitaker, Toney-Jones appeared to be off. But there were indications late Thursday it may go on as scheduled on HBO. If it does, HBO - which signed Whitaker to a multimillion-dollar, multi-fight deal in April - will not have a date for a Whitaker fight for some time.
Boorman said if Toney-Jones happens, Whitaker likely will fight a tuneup on the USA Network in September, have a title defense in November and then meet McGirt in January. No opponents have been determined for the potential September and November fights.
If that's the route he's forced to go, it would be a return to the old days for Whitaker, who historically has fought every three or four months. Whitaker has had just three bouts in the last 19 months.
``He called the other day and said he wants to get busy,'' Boorman said. by CNB