Buddy McGirt vs. Pernell Whitaker, billed as Pound for Pound: Who's Number One?, was a professional boxing match contested on March 6, 1993, for the WBC welterweight title.

Background A match between reigning WBC welterweight champion James "Buddy" McGirt and reigning IBF light welterweight champion Pernell Whitaker was made official for March 6, 1993, after McGirt's victory over Genaro Léon in January.McGirt's Victory Is Anything But Routine, NY Times article, 1993-01-13, Retrieved on 2020-04-12 McGirt had suffered a left shoulder injury prior to his fight Léon, forcing him to win the fight virtually one-handed. McGirt decided to continue with his title defense despite the injury, claiming that "it's not an injury, it's just tendinitis." and that he was going into the fight against Whitaker at "95 percent."McGirt and His Obstacles: One Savvy Boxer, One Sore Shoulder, NY Times article, 1993-03-01, Retrieved on 2020-04-12

Both McGirt and Whitaker were considered among the best pound-for-pound fighters in boxing (along with the then-WBC light welterweight champion Julio César Chávez and then-WBC light middleweight champion Terry Norris). The winner of the fight was expected to be recognized as the number-one pound-for-pound fighter in the sport.Out on a Limb, Sports Illustrated article, 1993-03-15, Retrieved on 2020-04-12

Whitaker entered the fight as a 12-to-5 favorite, and both fighters were set for a 7-figure payday. McGirt's purse was $1 million while Whitaker's was $1.25 million.McGirt and Whitaker use different approaches for the same results, UPI article, 1993-03-05, Retrieved on 2020-04-12

The fight The fight lasted the full 12 rounds with Whitaker ultimately earning a close but unanimous decision. The fight started off close but Whitaker took control in the middle rounds as McGirt struggled with his left shoulder injury, basically fighting one-handed as he had his previous fight. Whitaker would out-land McGirt in punches, landing 314 of 768 punches for a 41% success rate, while McGirt landed 238 of 717 for a 33% rate. One judge had Whitaker comfortably ahead with a score of 117–111, while the other two judges scored the fight close with Whitaker narrowly winning by scores of 115–114 and 115–113. Whitaker would describe the victory as "easy" while McGirt when asked of the loss, simply stated "My arm went. What can I say?"Pernell Whitaker, using his speed and capitalizing on his..., UPI article, 1993-03-06, Retrieved on 2020-04-13

Aftermath Unbeknownst to Whitaker, a deal had already been made prior to his fight with McGirt between his promoter Dan Duva and Julio César Chávez's promoter Don King that would see Chávez challenge for Whitaker's newly won title. Dan's father and Whitaker's trainer and manager Lou Duva had not told Whitaker of the Chávez bout until after his fight with McGirt because he "didn't want to take away his focus."Whitaker Is Winner Over McGirt, NY Times article, 1993-03-07, Retrieved on 2020-04-12

McGirt was discovered to have a torn rotator cuff after the fight and would undergo surgery to repair the tear days later.McGirt Is Undaunted After Shoulder Surgery, NY Times article, 1993-03-16 Retrieved on 2020-04-12 After returning to boxing in November and going 5–0 in his subsequent five fights, a rematch with Whitaker was agreed to in August 1994 and took place later in the year in October.Whitaker Foe Shoulders His Way Into Rematch, Daily Press article, 1994-08-17 Retrieved on 2020-04-12

Fight card Confirmed bouts: Weight Class Weight vs. Method Round NotesWelterweight147 lbPernell Whitakerdef.James McGirt (c)UD12/12Bantamweight118 lbJunior Jones def.Juan Pablo SalazarKO4/12Welterweight147 lbLarry Barnesdef.Clarence ColemanUD10/10Super Middleweight168 lbJoe Gatti def.Oscar NoriegaTKO2/8Light Heavyweight175 lbLou Del Valledef.Daren ZennerUD6/6Super Middleweight168 lbLonnie Bradleydef.Ken WallaceMD4/4

Broadcasting Country Broadcaster HBO

References