THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 30, 1994 TAG: 9409300669
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY STEVE CARLSON, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Probably nobody has a better perspective on the two fighters in Saturday's main event at Scope than Kevin Pompey and Pat Coleman.
They are the last two men to climb into the ring with James ``Buddy'' McGirt, and they have spent the last month as Pernell ``Sweetpea'' Whitaker's sparring partners.
``A lot of people try to frame themselves after Pete and McGirt and emulate them,'' Pompey said. ``They're two smart fighters and both can punch. They're the ultimate boxer-punchers.
``It's going to be a good fight. It goes the distance because they're both intelligent fighters. If anybody gets knocked out, I see Pete knocking Buddy out.''
It's no surprise Pompey would say that; he has worked for Whitaker this past month.
``I'm being as objective as I can be,'' Pompey insisted. ``You've got to be an offensive fighter to beat McGirt, which Pete is.
You have to be smart and fast and move, and at the same time be aggressive.''
Both Pompey and Coleman lost decisions to McGirt, although Coleman's loss in August was a split decision.
``One thing I learned about McGirt is he definitely doesn't like body shots, and Pete's going to go to the body,'' Coleman said. ``I see a real good, technical fight. I don't think it's going to be boring, but they're two technicians. Pernell's going to put a lot of pressure on Buddy.
``I think the fight's going to be very close and come down to a split decision.''
Coleman seemed hesitant to predict a winner at first, but when pressed, he gave the nod to Whitaker.
Although they've been good sparring partners, there has been no advantage to working with McGirt's last two opponents because he's already fought McGirt, Whitaker said: ``It's not like they're going to show me anything different the man can do because I know what he can do.''
REVISIONISM: Promoter Dan Duva boasted at Wednesday's press conference that more than 50 percent of Whitaker's professional opponents are onetime world champions.
Check that. According to the editor of the Computer Boxing Update, a boxing record book, 12 of Whitaker's 35 professional fights have come against onetime world champions.
JABS: McGirt has 44 career knockouts, but none in his last nine fights. Prior to this streak, he had never gone more than two consecutive fights without registering a knockout. ... Whitaker's last knockout came in a tuneup at the Pavilion in 1992 against Ben Baez. His last KO in a world title fight was against Juan Nazario in 1990. ... McGirt has not sparred since Friday. ``He was ready two weeks ago,'' trainer/manager Al Certo said, noting the lack of sparring has nothing to do with McGirt's surgically repaired shoulder. by CNB