Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 30, 1994 TAG: 9409300027
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium
Pernell Whitaker doesn't want to hear any excuses this time.
On March 6, 1993, Whitaker won a decision over James ``Buddy'' McGirt at Madison Square Garden to claim the World Boxing Council welterweight championship.
``I have a mental blackout about that fight,'' said Whitaker, who will meet McGirt in a rematch Saturday night at the Scope. ``I have no recollection of that fight because of his propaganda.''
``There's a healthy Buddy McGirt this time,'' said McGirt, fueling the fire that burns in Whitaker (33-1-1 with 15 konckouts) over claims he took the the title from a ``one-armed'' boxer.
``I am a two-handed fighter now,'' McGirt said.
McGirt said his left arm was virtually useless when he fought Whitaker because of a torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. He underwent surgery one week after the fight.
``The only way he was a one-handed fighter is I made him a one-handed fighter,'' added Whitaker, arguably the best defensive fighter in the world. ``I don't think he'll do anything different than he did the first time.''
Whitaker was reluctant to give McGirt a rematch because he felt he won fairly and McGirt (64-3-1 with 44 konckouts) was trying to tarnish his victory. Once, he said he would not give McGirt a rematch.
Whitaker's ego was bruised further in the fight after his victory over McGirt, when he dominated Julio Cesar Chavez, only to see the bout scored a draw.
In his last fight April 9, Whitaker easily retained his title on a decision over Santos Cardona. That was the 14th championship match for the Norfolk native, who also has held the undisputed lightweight and the International Boxing Federation junior welterweight titles.
Whitaker's purse is $2.5 million. McGirt will receive $600,000.
by CNB